Gluten has been a staple in many of our favourite food for a very long time, ranging from pizza and pasta to pies and pastries; nevertheless, many Aussies now avoid eating items that include the ingredient for health reasons.

Indeed, according to a study that was published in the Medical Journal of Australia, one in four Australians deliberately avoid gluten in their diets.

This is most likely the reason why more and more of our favourite snacks and bikkies in the supermarket are becoming gluten-free as well.

Following the release of its new gluten-free range in 2021, Arnott's has recently announced that three more of its core classic range will now be gluten-free.

This paves the way for Aussie biscuit lovers who are avoiding gluten to now be able to continue munching on their favourite traditional flavours, such as:

• Mint Slice
• Shortbread Cream
• TeeVee Snacks Original

The snacks will be available in major supermarkets beginning June 13, 2022, for $5.30 per pack, and will join the gluten-free versions of Scotch Finger, Tiny Teddy, and Choc Ripple that are already available.

Mint Slice, Shortbread Cream, and TeeVee Snacks Original have gluten-free variants now. Credit: Arnott's. ​

According to Arnott's, gluten-free versions of classic flavours have been an ongoing request from fans.

Ranita Cowled, Business Team Lead and Marketing Director at Arnott's Treating Portfolio (Sweet, Chocolate, and TimTam), stated that the overwhelmingly positive response to their gluten-free product launch last year enabled the recent announcement, as millions of consumers seek out gluten-free snacks.

Arnott's has expanded its gluten-free product range to commemorate International Coeliac Awareness Day, which is observed every year on May 16 to raise awareness of the inflammatory disease.

Alison Baldwin, a nutritionist at Arnott's Group, said the gluten-free products would provide a welcome variety for consumers with coeliac disease who might otherwise struggle to find products that meet their needs.

The new range is manufactured in Australia using a gluten-free flour blend comprised of maize, tapioca, rice, sorghum, and soy.

All three biscuits were created to meet the exacting taste requirements of Arnott's culinary team, and every effort was made to achieve the classic delicious flavour and texture we all know and love, such as the lush cream in Shortbread Cream or the choc mint melting moment in Mint Slice.

What do you folks think about this? Are you anticipating the arrival of these gluten-free treats just as much as we are?

Which flavour do you think they should convert next?

P.S: We didn’t know Arnott’s had an official 'culinary team'. Where do we sign up to get paid to eat biscuits?

 

[Ricci]

How come you leave out one ingredient and the price goes through the roof. Who is going to be spending $5.50 for a packet of biscuits that probably has less than a dozen bikkies per packet?

 

[Jennylolo]

How come you leave out one ingredient and the price goes through the roof. Who is going to be spending $5.50 for a packet of biscuits that probably has less than a dozen bikkies per packet?

agree, the gf flour is just another flour like any other! Why increase in price?

 

[Penny4]

My SIL is a celiac.
She complains about gluten free products being more expensive.
She buys White Wings gluten free flour (rice flour, maize and tapioca) for baking. It costs $3 for 500 gr. ' White Wings flour (wheat flour) costs the same $3 for 1kg.

 

[SandyM]

Arnott's used to have "Rice Cookies" or "Rice Biscuits" that were gluten free. They were the same price as their other biscuits & tasted very nice. They were round, with a hole in the middle - like a doughnut ring shape. Light & crispy, & not too sweet - they were my favourite - & then they disappeared a few years ago!