Organisers accommodating gluten-free attendees
If a Jaffa Cake-style refreshment is part of the meeting plan, look for an explicitly gluten-free product. Tesco describes Schär Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes 150g as gluten and wheat free.
Who is this for?
Buyers serving mixed dietary needs
You can offer conventional Jaffa Cakes separately, but not in place of the gluten-free option. Waitrose lists wheat flour in McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, while ASDA lists wheat in its own Jaffa Cakes.
Organisers checking other allergens
A gluten-free label does not settle every attendee’s requirements. ASDA’s Schär Jaffa Cakes listing identifies egg and soya and says the product may contain hazelnuts and milk; compare the current pack with the allergies attendees have disclosed.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the gluten-free option itself, then check other allergens and whether you can obtain it in time for the meeting.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Clear gluten-free labelling | Check the current pack for an explicit gluten-free label. If a recognised mark matters to attendees, check for that too; a retailer listing is not a substitute for the delivered pack. | I want attendees to be able to identify the gluten-free choice confidently. Coeliac UK reported in January 2026 that 74.7% of the 3,785 people responding to its shopping habits survey trusted its Crossed Grain Trademark more than a gluten-free statement. |
| Separate conventional cakes | Compare each product’s own ingredient and allergen information. Waitrose lists wheat flour in McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, and ASDA lists wheat in its own version. | If I put out standard Jaffa Cakes as well, I need the gluten-free product to remain clearly distinguishable. |
| Other allergens | Read the selected pack’s contains and may-contain statements. ASDA lists egg and soya for Schär Jaffa Cakes, with possible hazelnuts and milk. | Gluten is not the only restriction I may need to account for, so I need to check the pack against attendees’ requirements. |
| Availability | Check stock or the delivery slot for the exact product before finalising the order. Schär names several UK retailers, but a retailer listing does not confirm stock at your chosen store. | I would rather confirm the gluten-free option ahead of the meeting than rely on finding it on the day. |
What could go wrong?
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Assuming all Jaffa Cakes are gluten free
Conventional products can look similar while having different ingredients. Waitrose lists wheat flour in McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, and ASDA lists wheat in its own version.
Buy an explicitly labelled gluten-free product for attendees who need one, and keep conventional cakes separately identifiable.
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Assuming gluten free means free from other allergens
ASDA’s listing for Schär Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes identifies egg and soya and says the cakes may contain hazelnuts and milk.
Ask attendees about other food allergies before ordering, then check the current pack’s allergen statement before serving.
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Leaving the purchase until meeting day
A retailer carrying Schär Jaffa Cakes does not mean the exact product will be in stock when you need it.
Check the selected store or delivery slot in advance, and identify another retailer listing for the same labelled product if needed.
Relevant brand references
Schär
Its Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes 150g are the Jaffa Cake-style option for the gluten-free part of this meeting plan. Tesco describes the product as gluten and wheat free.
- Schär names several UK retailers for its Jaffa Cakes; check local stock before ordering.
- ASDA lists egg and soya and a may-contain statement for hazelnuts and milk.
McVitie’s
McVitie’s original Jaffa Cakes are a conventional option for attendees who do not require the gluten-free choice.
- Waitrose lists wheat flour in the original product’s ingredients; do not use it as the gluten-free option.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists Schär Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes 150g alongside its own conventional orange Jaffa Cakes.
- Its Schär listing identifies that specific product as gluten free and wheat free.
- Its own Jaffa Cakes carry allergen information concerning cereals containing gluten; check the exact pack rather than treating the two products as interchangeable.
ASDA
ASDA lists Schär Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes 150g and a separate conventional own-label Jaffa Cakes product.
- Its Schär listing identifies the product as free from cereals containing gluten and provides other allergen information.
- ASDA lists wheat in its own Jaffa Cakes, so those are not a substitute for the gluten-free product.
Gluten-free alternatives on Joybuy
These gluten-free biscuits and wafers could provide a different sweet refreshment for a meeting. None is a Jaffa Cake-style product, so keep that distinction in mind if Jaffa Cakes were specifically requested.
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Schär Gluten Free Digestive Biscuits 150g
A gluten-free digestive biscuit for a meeting where a biscuit is acceptable instead of a Jaffa Cake. Check the current pack for soya and its may-contain lupin statement before serving.
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Schär Gluten Free Vanilla Wafers 125g
A gluten-free vanilla wafer rather than an orange-and-chocolate Jaffa Cake-style option. Check the current pack for milk, soya and its may-contain tree-nut statement if those allergens matter to attendees.
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Nairns Gluten Free Biscuit Breaks Chunky Oats, Dark & Coconut 160g
A gluten-free oat biscuit option, not a Jaffa Cake. Check the current pack if an attendee avoids oats or needs to account for the product’s may-contain milk statement.
Frequently asked questions
Can standard Jaffa Cakes be the gluten-free option?
Do not substitute the conventional McVitie’s or ASDA products for an explicitly gluten-free option: Waitrose lists wheat flour in McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, and ASDA lists wheat in its own. Tesco describes Schär Gluten Free Jaffa Cakes 150g as gluten and wheat free; check the pack you receive.
Is a gluten-free label enough to cover other food allergies?
No. ASDA’s Schär Jaffa Cakes listing identifies egg and soya and says the product may contain hazelnuts and milk. Compare the current pack’s allergen statement with attendees’ requirements before serving.
How should I put out gluten-free and conventional Jaffa Cakes together?
Keep the gluten-free cakes identifiable and separate from conventional cakes, and retain their packaging so attendees can read the ingredients and allergen statement. The products have different ingredient and allergen information, so similar-looking cakes should not be mixed up.
Should I rely on a retailer listing for the meeting order?
Use a listing to identify the exact product, then check stock or your delivery slot and inspect the pack received. Schär names several UK retailers for its Jaffa Cakes, giving you other places to check if your chosen store cannot supply them.