People with coeliac disease
Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the packaged shortbread and read the current ingredients list. Coeliac UK explains that cereals containing gluten must be emphasised in the ingredients list of prepacked food.
Who is choosing?
Households serving several people
Individual portions can make it easier to keep biscuits separate when serving guests or packing snacks. Check each guest’s other allergen needs as well as the gluten-free label.
Shoppers avoiding other allergens too
Check milk, soya, nut and peanut information independently. The Walker’s, Waitrose and M&S shortbreads described here carry different ingredients or suitability warnings despite being labelled gluten-free.
What should you check?
Start with the gluten-free label, then check other allergens and choose a pack format that fits how the biscuits will be served.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the exact pack. Read its ingredients list; Coeliac UK says cereals containing gluten are emphasised on prepacked-food labels. | I need a packaged biscuit I can identify as gluten-free, rather than relying on how shortbread is usually made. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ or suitability statements. Walker’s lists butter (milk) and may contain nuts; Waitrose lists butter (milk) and soya flour and may contain nuts; M&S lists butter (milk) and says its rounds are not suitable for nut or peanut allergy. | Gluten is not my only concern, so I need the warnings for the particular biscuit I plan to serve. |
| Serving format | Compare the pack with the number of people eating it. Walker’s lists a case of 60 individual 30 g snack packs; Waitrose and M&S list 150 g packs. | For packed or multi-person elevenses, separate portions may be convenient. At home, I may prefer to open one smaller pack. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
These shortbreads show why the distinction matters: Walker’s lists milk and a possible nut presence, Waitrose lists milk and soya with a possible nut presence, and M&S warns against its rounds for nut or peanut allergy.
Read the ingredients and suitability statements on the exact pack before buying or serving it.
-
Using a webpage as the final ingredient check
Waitrose and M&S advise that product or allergen information can change, so an online listing may differ from the packet you receive.
Check the gluten-free claim, ingredients, warnings and best-before date on the physical pack.
-
Choosing a bulk case for an occasional tea break
Walker’s case contains 60 individual 30 g packs. That format is worth weighing against a smaller pack if only a few biscuits will be eaten.
Match the format to how often you will serve the biscuits and confirm delivery options before ordering a case.
-
Overlooking a relevant ‘may contain’ warning
The Food Standards Agency explains that precautionary allergen wording communicates that an allergen could be unintentionally present.
Check the exact warning for anyone with a relevant allergy, and ask the manufacturer if the pack does not make suitability clear.
Brand references for gluten-free shortbread
Walker’s Shortbread
Walker’s lists gluten-free shortbread rounds and a case of 60 individual 30 g snack packs.
- Walker’s says its gluten-free shortbreads are certified by the UK Coeliac Society and batch tested against the gluten-free threshold.
- Its listed rounds contain butter (milk) and may also contain nuts.
Waitrose
Waitrose lists a 150 g Free From Gluten Butter Shortbread pack.
- The product listing supplies ingredients for checking the particular shortbread.
- It lists butter (milk) and soya flour and says the product may contain nuts. Check the current pack because product information can change.
M&S Made Without
The range includes 150 g gluten-free all-butter shortbread rounds.
- M&S provides an ingredient panel for the rounds.
- They contain butter (milk), and M&S states that they are not suitable for nut or peanut allergy.
Dean’s
Dean’s identifies gluten-free shortbread as part of its wider range.
- It is another maker to consider when looking for gluten-free shortbread.
- Check the ingredients and allergen statements on the specific Dean’s pack you intend to buy.
Joybuy biscuit option for elevenses
This gluten-free oat biscuit is an elevenses alternative, not shortbread; choose it only if that difference suits what you want to serve.
No image available
Nairns Gluten Free Biscuit Breaks Chunky Oats, Dark & Coconut 160g
A gluten-free oat biscuit to consider for elevenses if you do not specifically want shortbread. Check the current pack’s ingredients and allergen information before serving.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a UK shortbread label?
The Food Standards Agency describes ‘gluten-free’ as no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold to the consumer. ‘Very low gluten’ has a different threshold of no more than 100 mg/kg, so the two labels are not interchangeable.
Should I read the ingredients when shortbread says gluten-free?
Yes. A gluten-free label does not tell you whether the shortbread contains other allergens: the listed Walker’s rounds contain butter (milk), Waitrose lists butter (milk) and soya flour, and M&S says its rounds are not suitable for nut or peanut allergy. Read the current pack for the exact product.
Can gluten-free shortbread go in a shared biscuit tin?
If someone needs to avoid gluten, keep their biscuits in the original packaging or a clean, separate container rather than mixing them with ordinary wheat biscuits. Use separate serving utensils to avoid contact between the biscuits.
How should I store an opened pack?
Follow the instructions on that pack. Waitrose and M&S advise keeping their listed shortbreads in a cool, dry place and using an airtight container after opening; check the physical pack’s best-before date too.
Is an online ingredient list enough before serving the biscuits?
Use it to narrow down options, then check the physical pack before serving. Waitrose and M&S advise that product or allergen information can change, which matters particularly when someone must avoid gluten or another allergen.