Who is this choice relevant to?

Households affected by coeliac disease

You’re looking for rusks with a gluten-free label, and you also check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about cross-contamination.

Fibre-conscious shoppers choosing gluten-free

Once you’ve chosen a gluten-free product, you want to know whether the rusks are wholemeal and how much fibre they contain per 100 g. Standard wholemeal wheat rusks are not an alternative.

Shoppers looking in the supermarket

You want to know whether you can find rusks or whether you’d be better off choosing another crunchy, gluten-free product. The label and the type of product are separate things to consider.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the gluten-free label and any warnings on the current packaging. Then compare the wholemeal claim, nutritional information and availability.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it’s for
Gluten-free status and cross-contamination Read the gluten-free label, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. When I’m buying rusks for someone with coeliac disease, I also want to assess the risk of contact with gluten; this safety question comes first for around 50% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Once you’ve checked that the product is gluten-free, look for an explicit wholemeal claim and compare the fibre content per 100 g. Anyone looking for gluten-free, wholemeal rusks doesn’t want to assume that a fibre claim also means wholemeal; this is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Availability and product type Check the current range and decide whether you’re looking for rusks or would also consider crackers or crispbread. When I’m doing my usual shopping, I want to know whether I can find rusks or need to choose another crunchy product; practical availability is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal means gluten-free

    Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten in AH Volkoren Beschuit. The ingredients for Bolletje Volkoren Beschuit listed by Jumbo include these too. A wholemeal claim doesn’t make these products suitable for people with coeliac disease.

    Start by checking the current gluten-free label. Only assess wholemeal content and fibre once you’ve made that selection.

  • Reading only the ingredients list

    An ingredients list doesn’t tell you everything about possible contact with gluten during production or processing. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the warning ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ indicates a genuine risk that a product contains more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

    Check the allergen information and warnings too. If you see this warning, choose another product for someone with coeliac disease.

  • Automatically assuming gluten-free rusks are wholemeal

    Albert Heijn’s product information describes Schär Zwieback as gluten-free, but not as wholemeal. These two claims answer different questions.

    If wholemeal is important to you, check both claims on the packaging and look at the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming the product contains iodised salt

    According to Brood.net, bakers aren’t required to use iodised salt. So don’t assume that rusks contain it just because of the type of product if iodine is one of your buying criteria.

    Check the information for the specific product and ask the manufacturer for clarification if anything is unclear.

Brands to consider

Schär

Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback as gluten-free and wheat-free.

  • The product information also lists fibre as a feature.
  • It isn’t described as wholemeal rusk, so consider this requirement separately.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides information on both AH Volkoren Beschuit and gluten-free Schär Zwieback.

  • The product information lets you check the ingredients of each of these rusks separately.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren Beschuit contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten, so it isn’t suitable for people with coeliac disease.

Bolletje

Bolletje Volkoren Beschuit shows why a wholemeal claim alone isn’t enough if you have coeliac disease.

  • The product information listed by Jumbo specifies the ingredients and allergens in this variety.
  • According to that information, Bolletje Volkoren Beschuit contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten.

PLUS

Its gluten-free range includes crackers and crispbread as other crunchy product types.

  • These product types are worth considering if rusks aren’t essential.
  • A cracker or crispbread isn’t a rusk; check the claims and warnings on the individual product.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are standard wholemeal rusks suitable for people with coeliac disease?

A wholemeal claim alone doesn’t make rusks suitable for people with coeliac disease. According to Albert Heijn, AH Volkoren Beschuit contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten; Jumbo lists these ingredients for Bolletje Volkoren Beschuit too. Choose based on the current gluten-free label and check the packaging.

What does ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging mean?

The Dutch Coeliac Society defines gluten-free as containing less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. Use the label as your first check, then read the current allergen information and warnings too.

What should I do if it says ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’?

Choose another product for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, this warning indicates a genuine risk that the product contains more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

How can I avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary rusks?

Use clean hands, a clean work surface and clean utensils when handling gluten-free rusks. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises avoiding cross-contamination with gluten, so keep gluten-free products away from crumbs from ordinary rusks or bread.

Can I assume rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume they do. According to Brood.net, bakers aren’t required to use iodised salt. Check the information for the specific rusks and ask the manufacturer for clarification if iodine is important to your choice.