For a canteen lunch for employees with coeliac disease, choose both rusks and chocolate sprinkles that are labelled gluten-free on their current packaging. Schär Zwieback is one example of a rusk base that Albert Heijn describes as gluten- and wheat-free, but that does not confirm whether the chocolate sprinkles are suitable. Keep both products separate from regular bread products during storage, preparation and serving.
They need a lunch where both components can be verified as gluten-free. As well as checking the current packaging, they need to consider how the canteen will prevent contact with regular bread products.
They need to make allergen information available for unpackaged products and prepare and serve the gluten-free lunch separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of both allergen information and preventing cross-contamination.
They want to keep a familiar lunch option without assuming that every variety of chocolate sprinkles is gluten-free. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the ingredients and allergen information differ between varieties of De Ruijter.
Assess the rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately first. Then decide how the canteen will store, prepare and serve them separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Verified gluten-free status | Check the gluten-free label and current allergen information on both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ means no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten at the point of sale. | When I’m buying for an employee with coeliac disease, I want to be able to verify that both products are suitable for this lunch. For around 42% of consumers, verified gluten-free status comes first. |
| Preparation and serving | Check how the products will be stored separately and served with clean equipment. Make sure allergen information is available for both components. | At a shared buffet, I want to prevent the gluten-free portion from coming into contact with regular bread products. Around 33% of consumers give priority to serving options that can be managed safely. |
| A familiar lunch option | Only choose a variety of chocolate sprinkles once you have confirmed it is suitable for a gluten-free diet; then compare the flavour and product format you want. | I want to keep offering rusks with chocolate sprinkles, but I won’t choose a topping based on a familiar brand name alone. Around 25% of consumers place the greatest importance on keeping this lunch option. |
Different varieties can have different ingredients and allergen information. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Hagelfeest contains wheat starch and lists wheat and cereals containing gluten. This variety is not suitable for a gluten-free lunch.
Check the exact variety on the current packaging instead of relying on the brand name or a pack you have used before.
Shared equipment or processes can lead to cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that canteens should do as much as possible to prevent cross-contamination.
Decide in advance who will prepare the gluten-free portion, and use clean, separate serving equipment or individual portions.
Schär Zwieback is one possible rusk base: Albert Heijn describes this specific product as gluten- and wheat-free.
Albert Heijn lists a product called Damhert Gluten-Free Rusks.
Each variety of De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles needs to be assessed separately for suitability.
Not on the basis of the ingredients list alone. For a gluten-free canteen lunch, check the current gluten-free label and allergen information for the chocolate sprinkles you have chosen, and prevent cross-contamination when serving.
Allergen information must also be available when serving unpackaged food. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that this information must then be provided to consumers in another way. Make sure guests can get information about both the rusks and the topping.
No, not as a topping for the gluten-free option: Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat starch as an ingredient and wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens. Assess any other variety again using its own current packaging.
