Meeting organisers accommodating gluten-free attendees
Choose a biscuit labelled gluten free, then arrange the refreshments so it stays identifiable and separate from wheat-containing food.
Who is this for?
Organisers serving mixed dietary needs
If you offer conventional and gluten-free custard creams, retain their labels and serve them separately. Ask about other dietary requirements before choosing the packs.
What should you check?
Decide who needs a gluten-free option, then choose a pack format you can serve separately and check the labels for any other requirements.
Gluten-free portion packs
Choose when: Separate packs would make it easier for attendees to identify and take their biscuits. Tesco Groceries describes the Schär 125g product as five packs of two.
Keep in mind: Individual packs do not replace checking the purchased label or keeping the serving area clear of wheat-biscuit crumbs.
Gluten-free shared pack
Choose when: You can keep a labelled gluten-free pack separate and serve it with clean hands or utensils. Tesco Groceries describes its Free From Custard Creams 125G as gluten free.
Keep in mind: The Tesco listing does not establish individual portion packs, so avoid putting the biscuits on a mixed plate.
Conventional custard creams
Choose when: The people eating them can have wheat, or you are offering them alongside a separately handled gluten-free option.
Keep in mind: The checked McVitie’s, Crawford’s, Sainsbury’s, Asda and M&S products contain wheat; check the label of the exact pack you buy.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for an explicit gluten-free statement and read the ingredients and allergen declaration on the purchased pack. Do not judge suitability by the biscuit name alone. | Someone at the meeting needs a gluten-free biscuit, so I want to identify their option without mistaking a wheat-containing custard cream for it. |
| Separate serving | Check whether biscuits come in individual packs. If serving from a shared pack, keep it apart from wheat biscuits and use clean hands or utensils, in line with Coeliac UK’s cross-contact advice. | I want attendees to recognise and take the gluten-free option without the biscuits being mixed on a shared plate. |
| Other ingredients | Check the exact pack for other relevant ingredients and allergen declarations. Tesco Groceries describes its Free From 125g product as milk free; the checked conventional Asda and M&S products declare milk. | Gluten is not the only requirement I need to ask about before putting out refreshments. |
| Portions | Compare the number of people you are serving with the stated portions or biscuit count. Tesco Groceries lists five individual packs of two biscuits for the Schär 125g product. | Will there be enough clearly identified gluten-free servings for the attendees who need them? |
Serving mistakes to avoid
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Offering an ordinary custard cream as the gluten-free choice
The checked conventional McVitie’s, Crawford’s, Sainsbury’s, Asda and M&S products contain wheat. A familiar name or a different dietary claim does not establish that a biscuit is gluten free.
Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten free for the attendee who needs it, and read the purchased pack before serving.
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Putting every biscuit on one plate
Mixing the biscuits or using the same handling equipment makes it harder to keep the gluten-free choice apart from wheat-containing food.
Keep its pack identifiable and serve it separately. Coeliac UK advises cleaning shared surfaces and utensils to help avoid gluten cross-contact.
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Assuming gluten free covers every dietary requirement
Ingredient and allergen declarations differ between products. For example, Tesco Groceries describes its Free From Custard Creams 125G as milk free, while the checked conventional Asda and M&S products declare milk.
Ask attendees about their requirements and keep the ingredient and allergen information for each purchased pack available.
Brand and product references
These details concern the named products, not every biscuit from each brand; check the pack you intend to serve.
Schär
Its checked 125g custard creams provide a gluten-free option in individual portion packs.
- Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury’s describe five individual packs containing two biscuits each.
- Check the purchased pack for its current ingredients and other dietary information; these details do not describe every Schär product.
Tesco
Its checked Free From Custard Creams 125G are a gluten-free shared-pack option.
- Tesco Groceries describes this product as gluten free and milk free.
- Its listing does not establish individual wrapping and advises reading the product label because formulations can change.
McVitie’s
The checked 300g custard creams are a conventional option for attendees who can have wheat.
- Bestway Wholesale lists wheat flour and wheat starch in this product; do not use it as the gluten-free option.
Crawford’s
The checked 300g sandwich biscuits are conventional custard creams.
- Iceland Foods declares wheat and milk for this product, so it is not the gluten-free choice.
Sainsbury’s
The checked own-brand Custard Creams 200g are distinct from gluten-free products.
- Sainsbury’s lists wheat flour and wheat starch in this product and advises checking the label before eating.
Asda
The checked own-brand 400g pack is a conventional custard-cream option.
- The listed pack contains 400g; use the pack details to plan how many biscuits to serve.
- Asda declares wheat and milk for this product and advises reading the actual label.
M&S
The checked Extra Cream Custard Creams are a conventional variant with extra filling.
- Ocado’s product information declares wheat, milk and soya; this is not the gluten-free option.
Custard creams on Joybuy
This gluten-free custard-cream option has individual portions, a format to consider when meeting attendees need to identify and take their biscuits separately.
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Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
For a meeting with a gluten-free attendee, individual packs offer a way to keep their biscuits identifiable and separate. Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury’s describe this 125g product as five packs of two biscuits; check the purchased pack’s current ingredients and allergen information, and whether five portions are enough.
Frequently asked questions
Does gluten free mean a biscuit contains absolutely no gluten?
No. The Food Standards Agency states that food labelled gluten free must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold to the final consumer. Check the label on the pack you buy rather than interpreting the claim as a promise of absolute zero.
Can gluten-free and ordinary custard creams go on the same meeting plate?
Keep them separate when an attendee needs gluten-free food. Coeliac UK advises preventing contact with gluten-containing food and cleaning shared surfaces and utensils; retaining the labelled pack also helps attendees identify their biscuits.
How should I store leftover custard creams?
Follow each pack’s storage directions and retain its dietary identification. Tesco Groceries says to store its checked Free From custard creams in a cool, dry place; Asda advises an airtight container after opening its checked conventional pack.