People who strictly avoid gluten
You’re looking for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, rather than ordinary crispbread made with rye, wheat, barley or spelt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists these grains as containing gluten.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People with a known ingredient allergy
You first rule out varieties containing an allergen you need to avoid, such as sesame, milk, soya, lupin or mustard. Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows why you need to check each variety individually.
People who often eat crispbread instead of bread
As well as checking allergens, you want to look at the nutritional information per 100 g. If crispbread replaces a large part of your usual bread intake, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises not to assume that your sources of iodine will stay the same across your overall diet.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety. Then look at the pack size and, if you often use the product as a bread replacement, its nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and gluten | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings. If you eat strictly gluten-free, look for an explicit gluten-free label. | If I need to avoid an ingredient strictly, I want to rule out a pack before considering its other features. For around 42% of consumers, suitability in terms of allergens or gluten comes first. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack weight of varieties that meet your allergen requirements. | If I buy it regularly, I want to know how much crispbread I’ll get in each pack, without including a variety that isn’t suitable. Around 33% of consumers say this practical comparison is their top priority. |
| Everyday use | Check the type of grain and the nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g. If crispbread often replaces bread, consider sources of iodine across your overall diet. | If I regularly eat crispbread instead of bread, I also want to know how it fits into my usual diet. For an estimated 25% of consumers, everyday use matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming rye crispbread is gluten-free
Rye contains gluten, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out. Ordinary rye products are therefore not gluten-free.
If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, check that the current packaging explicitly says the product is gluten-free, and read the other allergen information too.
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Relying on the brand name instead of checking the variety
According to Wasa, Thin Rye Wholegrain contains sesame and may contain milk. The allergen information listed by Jumbo for Wasa Wholegrain is different.
Check the label of the exact variety every time you buy it; terms such as “wholegrain” don’t tell you which allergens it contains.
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Assuming crispbread provides as much iodine as bread
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine, but using this salt is not compulsory. You need to assess the ingredients of crispbread separately.
If you often replace ordinary bread, check the available packaging information and consider your other sources of iodine.
Brands and retailers to consider
Wasa
Wasa offers several rye and wholegrain varieties, and allergen information varies from product to product.
- Jumbo lists ingredients and allergen information for each Wasa Wholegrain variety.
- According to Wasa, Wasa Thin Rye Wholegrain contains sesame and may contain milk. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a specific allergy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers several own-brand crispbread varieties.
- The information for AH Sesame Crispbread lets you check the specific variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, this sesame variety contains wheat and sesame, so it won’t suit everyone’s list of allergens to avoid.
Jumbo
For Wasa Wholegrain, Jumbo lists product-specific ingredients and allergens.
- The information about rye and the possible presence of other allergens can help you make an initial selection.
- Always check the packaging of the product you actually choose when you buy it.
Ryvita
On its UK brand page, Ryvita describes Original Crispbread as being made with wholemeal rye flour, rye flour and salt.
- The ingredients for this Original variety are listed separately on the brand page.
- If you’re buying it in the Netherlands, use the information on the current Dutch packaging; UK product information is not a substitute.
Crispbread on Joybuy
This selection includes three plain wholegrain varieties and one filled snack variety. For each one, check whether the current packaging suits your allergen requirements.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
A plain wholegrain variety for breakfast or lunch.
If you avoid gluten or sesame, check the current label carefully. Also look for information about the possible presence of other allergens.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 125 g
A plain variety to consider if you’re looking for a smaller pack of wholegrain crispbread.
When checking the label, pay particular attention to any gluten-containing grains and egg, and read any warnings about other allergens.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
A plain rye variety for anyone who can eat rye and is looking for a simple crispbread base.
Rye contains gluten. Also check the current packaging for warnings about the possible presence of sesame and milk.
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Wasa Sandwich Sour Cream & Onion, 99 g
This filled crispbread sandwich is a snack, not a plain base for toppings.
This variety contains rye and oats, so it isn’t suitable if you need to eat strictly gluten-free. Check the current packaging too if you avoid sesame, milk, soya or lupin.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary rye crispbread gluten-free?
No. Rye contains gluten, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out. If you strictly avoid gluten, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging, and check the other ingredients too.
Where can I find the allergens in pre-packed crispbread?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the labelling requirements for 14 allergens; also check for any warnings about possible presence.
Is a short ingredients list enough to choose a variety?
No. Even a short list may include an ingredient you need to avoid. For example, Jumbo’s information for Wasa Wholegrain lists rye, as well as the possible presence of other allergens.
What should I do if there’s a warning about possible cross-contamination?
If the allergen mentioned is relevant to you, take the warning into account when assessing the exact product. An ingredients list and a warning about possible presence provide different information, so read both.
Does crispbread automatically provide as much iodine as ordinary bread?
You can’t assume that it does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is a source of iodine, but using this salt is not compulsory. If you often replace bread with crispbread, check the available product information and consider your other sources of iodine.