Visitors taking rusks with them
You want to take a dry base for toppings with you and make sure you can reseal an opened pack properly. Check the storage instructions on the packaging before packing rusks to take with you.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers comparing wholemeal options and fibre
You’re looking for an explicit wholemeal label and comparing the fibre content in the nutritional information, rather than judging by the colour of the rusks alone.
Stallholders serving rusks unpackaged
As well as choosing the product, you need to decide how to store and serve it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires stallholders to work safely and hygienically and provide allergen information for unpackaged products.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether you need round rusks or medium-sliced bread. If you’re comparing rusks, check the packaging and label. If you’re serving them unpackaged from a stall, how you handle and serve them matters too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchiness and transport | Read the storage instructions and check how many rusks are in the pack. Make sure you can reseal it after opening. | If I take rusks with me and open the pack, I want to stop the contents becoming damp. For around 31% of consumers, keeping them dry while transporting them comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the allergen information on the exact pack, including details of possible traces. | If I’m sharing rusks with others, I want to know which allergens the product I’ve chosen contains. Around 31% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per portion or per 100 g on the label. | If I’m looking for wholemeal rusks, I want to be able to compare the grain content and nutritional information. For around 23% of consumers, this is the main factor in their choice. |
| Serving from a stall | Decide whether you’ll keep the pack sealed or open the rusks and add toppings. If you’re selling them unpackaged, have your serving process and allergen information in place before customers buy. | If I’m serving rusks unpackaged, I want to know in advance how to serve them safely and inform customers. For around 15% of consumers shopping for this purpose, serving from a stall is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing rusks with medium-sliced bread
Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe their rusks by number of pieces, portions or grams. The search term ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t make it clear whether you mean rusks or sliced bread.
Before buying, decide which product format you want to top or hand out; don’t choose based only on the English search term.
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Assuming plain rusks are allergen-free
Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s plain varieties list, among other things, egg and cereals containing gluten. So the word ‘plain’ doesn’t tell you which allergens a specific product contains.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose. If you’re selling unpackaged products, make sure customers can find out about any allergens before buying.
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Judging whether rusks are wholemeal by their colour or seeds
A dark colour or a mention of seeds is no substitute for a wholemeal label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘wholemeal’ means that wholemeal flour has been used.
Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging, then compare the fibre and allergen information for the exact product.
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Assuming all rusks contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the product category alone won’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
Check the ingredients of the product you choose, or ask the manufacturer or baker which type of salt was used.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s own-brand rusk range includes plain and wholemeal varieties, as well as rusks from Bolletje.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Beschuit naturel as 125 g with 13 portions. The product page includes ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
- Check the packaging of the product you choose before use: Albert Heijn notes that product information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand Beschuit Naturel in a pack of 13, as well as rusks from other brands.
- The Jumbo Beschuit Naturel product page provides ingredients, allergen information, nutritional values and storage instructions.
- Jumbo lists egg, gluten and wheat in this plain variety. Check the packaging if allergens are important to your choice.
Bolletje
Bolletje describes Echte Beschuit, Volkoren Beschuit and a separately wrapped Volkoren Beschuit Mono variety.
- Bolletje says that its Volkoren Beschuit Mono rusks are individually wrapped, which may be useful if you want to hand them out one at a time.
- Bolletje says the Mono variety isn’t available in supermarkets. Echte Beschuit lists wheat, rye and egg among its allergens.
Rusks on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I keep rusks crunchy when I take them with me?
Store rusks in a dry place and seal an opened pack tightly. For its plain rusks, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening; Jumbo advises keeping its plain variety in a cool, dry and dark place. Follow the instructions on the packaging you buy.
Which allergens should I check in rusks?
Check the allergen information for the exact product, even if it’s called ‘plain’. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s plain products list, among other things, egg and cereals containing gluten. Information about possible traces may vary between products.
Can I sell topped rusks from a Christmas market stall without any further preparation?
Not without considering safe food handling and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says you must prepare, store and sell food safely and hygienically from a stall, tent or food truck. For unpackaged products, information about any allergens must be available before purchase. Also check which requirements apply to your market and stall.
Do all rusks contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
Don’t assume they do. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the specific product or ask the baker or manufacturer which type of salt was used.