People who need to avoid gluten strictly
For them, the first step is to choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Even then, it’s important to check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging.
Who does it matter to?
People with several relevant allergens
If you also need to avoid milk, sesame or soya, for example, you can’t rely on a ‘gluten-free’ label or a brand name alone. The exact product and its full label are what matter.
People who often replace bread with crispbread
If you regularly use crispbread instead of bread, its nutritional information and your overall diet matter too. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, although bakers don’t always use this salt.
What should you look for when buying?
Crispbread explicitly labelled gluten-free
When: if you need to avoid gluten-containing grains.
Bear in mind: gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from other allergens, such as sesame.
Regular rye or wheat crispbread
When: if rye, wheat and gluten are suitable for you.
Bear in mind: the type of grain and other ingredients vary by product; Ryvita, for example, lists milk powder in its Original Crackerbread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to most |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-containing grains | Look for a gluten-free label on the specific packaging, and read the ingredients and any warnings. | If I need to avoid gluten-containing grains, I don’t want to rely on a general product category. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Compare the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings with the allergens that are relevant to you. | If I have several relevant allergens, I need more information than just a gluten-free label. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this broader check. |
| The whole meal | Check the crispbread and toppings separately; look out for relevant ingredients in your chosen product, such as sesame or milk. | When I’m having crispbread with toppings, I want both parts of the meal to suit my dietary needs. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Regularly replacing bread | Compare the fibre and salt content in the nutritional information, and check whether iodised salt is listed as an ingredient. | If I often replace bread, I also want to know how crispbread fits into my overall diet. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
A gluten-free product may still contain ingredients you need to avoid. Wasa’s Sesame & Sea Salt variant shows why it’s important to check sesame separately.
Compare the allergens that matter to you with the ingredients list and any warnings for the exact product you’re buying.
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Relying on a brand or previous product information
Ingredients and allergy information can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information. A product you bought before or a category page is no substitute for checking the label on the current packaging.
Check the packaging again before eating the crispbread, even if the name looks familiar.
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Only checking allergens when regularly replacing bread
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. You can’t tell from the name of a crispbread whether it contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients label and, if you regularly replace bread, consider the other sources of iodine in your diet too.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa offers both regular crispbread and products specifically labelled gluten-free. Jumbo lists Wasa Gluten- & Lactosevrij Knäckebröd Sesame & Sea Salt, among other products.
- A gluten-free label can help you find the right product in the range.
- Not every Wasa product is gluten-free. If you’re considering the Sesame & Sea Salt variant, check whether sesame is safe for you too.
Schär
Albert Heijn lists Schär Hafer knäckebrot as a gluten-free product. Schär also describes its Knäcke variant as gluten-free.
- The product label makes it easier to search specifically for a gluten-free option.
- For any other relevant allergens, always check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging sold in the Netherlands.
Albert Heijn
The online category for gluten-free crackers and crispbread is a useful starting point for comparing products.
- The category brings together products sold as gluten-free.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergy information can change, so check the packaging of the product you choose.
Ryvita
Ryvita lists rye in its Original Crispbread and wheat and milk powder in its Original Crackerbread.
- The ingredients in these named products make it clear which type of grain you need to check.
- These regular products aren’t suitable if you need to avoid the gluten-containing grains they contain; check for other allergens on each product.
Joybuy options for regular crispbread
This option is regular crispbread for consumers who can eat rye and gluten. Use the product information as a starting point, and check the current packaging if you have relevant allergens.
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Wasa Rustic Crispbread 215 g
A regular crispbread option to consider if rye and gluten are suitable for you.
The product information lists rye and possible traces of milk and sesame. If these allergens are relevant to you, check the details on the current packaging.
If you often eat it instead of bread, check whether iodised salt is listed as an ingredient too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose regular rye crispbread if I need to eat gluten-free?
No, not if the product contains rye: rye is a gluten-containing grain. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free on the packaging, and check the other ingredients and any warnings too.
Is gluten-free crispbread suitable for every food allergy?
No, a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are absent. Check the specific packaging for allergens that are relevant to you; Wasa’s gluten-free Sesame & Sea Salt variant, for example, contains sesame.
What should I do if there’s a warning about possible cross-contamination?
Take the warning into account if the allergen mentioned is relevant to you. Read the ingredients on the same packaging too, and if you’re unsure about your personal situation, seek professional advice.
Should I think about iodine if I often replace bread with crispbread?
Yes, consider how the replacement fits into your overall diet. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, although bakers aren’t required to use this salt. Check the crispbread’s ingredients label rather than relying on the product name.