When choosing crispbread for a topped snack, don’t rely on the words ‘thick cut’ alone. Check the size and thickness of the exact variety, then try it at home to see whether it can hold the topping you have in mind. The Wasa varieties reviewed are described as thin, so there’s no evidence that they’re a thick-cut alternative. If the snack is going to school, also check the current allergen label and the school’s policy.
If the crispbread is going to be the base for a topping, its size and how easily it breaks matter more than a general description on the front of the pack. Try your chosen variety at home with the topping you plan to use.
For a snack to take to school, the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements need to suit your child’s situation and the school’s policy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label.
If nutritional information is a priority, you can compare fibre per 100 g and the grains used. Wasa describes Vezelrijk as thin and crisp, so its texture also needs to suit the snack you have in mind.
For a snack for children, first check whether the exact variety is suitable in terms of allergens. Then see whether the cracker works with your chosen topping, and only after that compare the nutritional information and how easy it is to buy again.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school policy | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements; also ask about the school’s policy. | If a child has a food allergy or the school has restrictions, I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Around 36% of consumers put suitability in terms of allergens and school policy first. |
| Sturdiness and size | Look for a specific description of the size or thickness, and try the cracker at home with the topping you have in mind. | For a topped snack, I want a piece my child can hold easily without it breaking straight away. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fibre and grains | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which grains and seeds the variety contains. | If I serve crispbread as a snack regularly, I want to be able to compare its grain content and nutritional value. Around 21% of consumers prioritise fibre and wholegrains. |
| Being able to buy it again | Check the chosen retailer’s current range, and read the packaging again the next time you buy it. | If the same snack is served often, I want to know where I can buy that exact variety again. For around 14% of consumers, convenience matters most. |
Wasa describes Vezelrijk and Lichtgewicht as thin. ‘Wholegrain’ or ‘high in fibre’ doesn’t, on its own, tell you anything about thickness or how well a cracker will hold your chosen topping.
Look for a specific description of the size or thickness, and try the variety at home with the topping you have in mind.
A gluten-free product name doesn’t rule out other relevant allergens. For example, Jumbo lists a Wasa variety with ‘Sesame’ in its name; other Wasa varieties may contain or mention milk, sesame or other allergens.
Compare all the information on the current packaging with your child’s situation and the school’s policy.
The Dutch agreement on baker’s salt encourages the use of iodised salt in bread substitutes and other bakery products. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
If iodine content matters to your choice, check the label for the exact variety or ask the manufacturer.
Wasa’s range in Dutch supermarkets includes Vezelrijk and Lichtgewicht, among other varieties.
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH wholegrain crispbread and an organic wholegrain variety, among other products.
Ryvita is a brand to compare if you’re also considering rye crispbread from a specialist shop or import retailer.
Lidl Netherlands has a product page for crispbread.
No, it varies by variety. Wasa Lichtgewicht contains rye, while Wasa Vezelrijk contains rye, wheat and oats, among other ingredients. Jumbo also lists a Wasa product with ‘Gluten- & Lactose-Free’ in its name. Check the current label for the exact product before choosing.
Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings, and ask about the school’s policy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products; this doesn’t replace checking your child’s individual situation.
Don’t assume it does. The Dutch agreement on baker’s salt encourages the use of iodised salt in products including bread substitutes, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the manufacturer about the exact variety if this matters to your choice.
