Who is this choice for?

Anyone making a cake for someone with coeliac disease

A ‘gluten-free’ label on the coconut milk matters more than an ingredient list that appears to contain no cereals. AFDIAG also reminds us to avoid cross-contamination during preparation.

Anyone who pays close attention to what goes into their cake

You can choose a culinary coconut milk based on its coconut content, fat content and the quantity your recipe calls for. These factors do not replace checking for a ‘gluten-free’ label if the cake is for someone with coeliac disease.

Anyone comparing supermarket own-brand products

Carrefour Sensation, Auchan and Bio Village E.Leclerc products have different ingredients. For a recipe intended for someone with coeliac disease, check the specific product and the label on the packaging you buy. Don’t assume that information for one product also applies to a different size.

What should you check?

For a cake intended for someone with coeliac disease, first check that the specific coconut milk you’re buying is labelled ‘gluten-free’. Then compare its ingredients and pack size with what your recipe calls for.

Criterion What to check Who is this for?
‘Gluten-free’ label The label on the specific product and size you’re buying. If I’m making a cake for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to check the coconut milk I’m using, rather than just read its ingredients. Around 42% of consumers would make this check their priority.
Ingredients for the recipe Whether it’s suitable for cooking, its coconut content and the stated fat content. When coconut milk affects the texture and flavour of the cake, I compare the formulas before following the recipe. The finished cake would be the priority for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredient list The full list of ingredients and whether it contains any stabilisers or thickeners. If I prefer a short ingredient list, I check it without mistaking it for a ‘gluten-free’ label. This would be the top priority for around 17% of consumers.
Available pack size The quantity you need and the labelling on the product actually on offer. If I need to buy ingredients to make the cake soon, I look for the right pack size without assuming another product carries the same information. Around 8% of consumers would make this practical consideration their priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming an ingredient list with no cereals means it’s ‘gluten-free’

    The absence of wheat in the ingredients isn’t enough on its own to conclude that the coconut milk is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Look for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the product you’re buying, rather than assuming its status based on another size or recipe.

  • Checking only the coconut milk

    The cake contains other ingredients and may be exposed to cross-contamination during preparation. AFDIAG stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen.

    Check the flour, baking powder, chocolate and decorations in particular, then clean your worktop and utensils before you start.

  • Choosing based only on coconut content

    The coconut content tells you about a product’s composition, not whether it’s ‘gluten-free’.

    For a cake intended for someone with coeliac disease, check the label on the specific product first, then compare its ingredients with the quantities your recipe calls for.

Brands and products to consider

Kara

Kara describes its 200 ml culinary coconut milk as ‘gluten-free’ and states that this product contains 17% ± 1% fat.

  • Kara’s product information gives a ‘gluten-free’ label for this specific size.
  • Check the packaging you buy; don’t assume this information applies automatically to other Kara sizes or varieties.

Carrefour Sensation

Carrefour Sensation’s product listing for coconut milk states that it contains 60% coconut extract and water.

  • You can compare this product’s composition with the amount of coconut you want in your recipe.
  • If you find a Carrefour product for a cake intended for someone with coeliac disease, check for a ‘gluten-free’ label on its own packaging.

Auchan

Auchan’s product listing for its 200 ml carton of coconut milk states that it contains 50% coconut extract as well as stabilisers.

  • You can compare the pack size and ingredients with what your recipe calls for.
  • For a cake intended for someone with coeliac disease, check the ‘gluten-free’ label on the carton you buy.

Bio Village E.Leclerc

E.Leclerc states that its 200 ml Bio Village coconut milk contains water and 47% organic coconut extract.

  • The product listing specifies the pack size and coconut content for this product.
  • This ingredient list does not replace checking the ‘gluten-free’ label on the product you buy.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is coconut milk automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease if it contains no wheat?

No. The ingredient list alone doesn’t confirm that it’s ‘gluten-free’. Look for the label on the packaging of the product you buy, and take care to avoid cross-contamination when preparing the cake.

Can you use Kara 200 ml coconut milk in this cake?

Kara labels its 200 ml coconut milk ‘gluten-free’, so it’s one product to consider for this ingredient. Check the product you buy and verify all the other cake ingredients separately.

Is the cake gluten-free if the coconut milk carries this label?

Not necessarily: the label on the coconut milk doesn’t apply to the whole cake. Check the flour, baking powder, chocolate and decorations in particular, and prevent contamination from utensils or the worktop.

How should you store opened coconut milk for another recipe?

Follow the instructions for the product you buy. Auchan’s product listing for its 200 ml coconut milk says to refrigerate it after opening and use it within 48 hours; this guidance doesn’t automatically apply to other products.