Who is this choice important for?

People with coeliac disease

You want to avoid mistaking ordinary crispbread made with rye, wheat or barley for a gluten-free variety. That’s why the label on the specific product is your first check.

People who often eat crispbread instead of bread

As well as checking that it’s gluten-free, you’ll want to compare fibre and salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that cutting out bread can affect your iodine intake; crispbread doesn’t automatically provide the same benefits.

People looking for variety in gluten-free products

You might compare own-brand products, seeded varieties or products containing oats, but assess each one individually. If it contains oats, it’s also important to consider whether you can tolerate them.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the specific crispbread is labelled gluten-free. Only then compare the nutritional information and the varieties that might suit you.

What to consider What should you check? Who is it important for?
Gluten-free labelling Read the current packaging for the specific variety and check the ingredients, including for any wheat, rye or barley. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to accidentally pick up an ordinary rye crispbread. For around 50% of consumers, checking the product is their main priority when shopping.
Nutritional information for everyday use Compare fibre and salt per 100 g and per portion. If crispbread often replaces bread, also consider your sources of iodine across your overall diet. If I regularly eat crispbread instead of bread, I consider more than just whether it’s gluten-free. For around 30% of consumers, this everyday nutritional consideration comes first.
Variety and availability Consider the flavour, seeds or oats only after checking that it’s gluten-free; if it contains oats, also check whether you can tolerate them. Check the packaging of the product you actually buy. I want to have a choice without relying on outdated product information. For around 20% of consumers, finding a way to buy the product while having a choice is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary rye crispbread is a gluten-free alternative

    Rye contains gluten. Ryvita’s own product information says that all Ryvita products contain gluten; how a crispbread looks or how much fibre it contains doesn’t change that.

    If you have coeliac disease, use the gluten-free label on the current packaging as your first check, not the product category or brand name.

  • Relying on a product page you viewed earlier

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging, even if they already know the product.

    Check the exact variety you’re buying every time.

  • Assuming crispbread is a complete replacement for bread

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that cutting out bread can lower your iodine intake. Baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. What’s more, a gluten-free label tells you nothing about the amount of fibre or salt.

    If you eat crispbread regularly, compare the nutritional information and consider your sources of iodine as part of your overall diet.

  • Assuming a product range page confirms what’s in stock

    A shop’s product listing doesn’t tell you which specific crispbread will be available when you shop. A general listing of gluten-free products doesn’t confirm that every variety is gluten-free either.

    Check which specific products you can buy, and read their current packaging too.

Relevant brands and shops

These brands and shops can help you compare products, but this isn’t an assessment of their entire range. If you have coeliac disease, the packaging of the variety you choose is what matters.

Wasa / Wasabröd

Wasa has crispbread varieties specifically labelled gluten-free. Albert Heijn lists a Classic variety and Sesame & Sea Salt, among others.

  • You can search specifically for a Wasa variety labelled gluten-free.
  • Check Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt separately; the brand name alone doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free.

Albert Heijn / AH Glutenvrij

In its listing of gluten-free crackers and crispbread, Albert Heijn features both own-brand products and Wasa varieties.

  • The listing lets you compare different types of product side by side.
  • Albert Heijn advises customers to read the current packaging, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Wasa Gluten- & Lactosevrij Knäckebröd Sesame & Sea Salt and can provide information about suitable own-brand products through its customer service team.

  • You can search for a specific listed variety.
  • A product listing doesn’t confirm availability in every shop or mean that other Jumbo crispbread is gluten-free.

Lidl

Lidl could be another shop to try if you’re looking for gluten-free products.

  • Checking the current range may help you find a specific product to consider.
  • A general gluten-free range doesn’t confirm that gluten-free crispbread is available; check the product itself.

Ryvita

Ryvita is a useful comparison when distinguishing between ordinary and gluten-free crispbread: according to Ryvita’s own FAQ, all its products contain gluten.

  • Based on the manufacturer’s information, don’t consider Ryvita a gluten-free option if you have coeliac disease.

Crispbread on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ordinary rye crispbread suitable for people with coeliac disease?

No, rye contains gluten. When choosing crispbread, check that the current packaging for the specific product clearly says it is gluten-free.

What does the gluten-free label on packaging mean?

The label relates to the presence of gluten in the product, not its fibre, salt or iodine content. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that the threshold for using the label is less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.

Should I check a gluten-free crispbread I already know and trust?

Yes, read the packaging of the variety you’re buying. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients and allergen information can change, among other things; checking a product page you viewed earlier isn’t a substitute.

Does gluten-free crispbread also replace the iodine provided by bread?

Not automatically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that cutting out bread can lower your iodine intake. Baker’s salt contains iodine, but its use isn’t compulsory. If you regularly eat alternatives to bread, consider your overall diet and, if needed, discuss any personal concerns with a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.

Can I choose crispbread containing oats if I have coeliac disease?

Only if the specific product is labelled gluten-free and you can tolerate oats. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that most people with coeliac disease can tolerate pure oats that haven’t been contaminated with gluten, but a small number still react. If you have symptoms or are unsure, speak to a doctor or a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.