If someone with coeliac disease is coming over for coffee, choose crackers clearly labelled gluten-free and serve them separately from regular crackers, bread and crumbs. Then check for other allergens, consider the toppings and decide how much you’ll need. Individually wrapped portions can make separate serving easier, but they don’t replace clean serving utensils.
You want to serve something crunchy with coffee without crumbs from regular crackers getting onto the gluten-free portion. The Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) warns that even a small amount of gluten, such as a stray bread crumb, can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
As well as checking that crackers are labelled gluten-free, you need to check their allergens and those in the toppings. Product information from retailers including Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that gluten-free options may carry warnings for allergens such as milk or soya.
You may also want to compare fibre or protein per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually eat. According to Jumbo, the Consenza Pea-Lentil Crackers reviewed contain 7,9 g of fibre and 24 g of protein per 100 g. This alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for other dietary needs.
Start by checking the gluten-free label and planning how to serve the crackers separately. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, products labelled ‘gluten-free’ must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg of finished product. Then check the current packaging for other allergens and relevant nutritional information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free portion | Check the gluten-free label on the packet and have a clean plate and separate serving utensils ready. | If my guest has coeliac disease, I want to be sure which crackers are for them and prevent ordinary crumbs from getting onto them. For around 42% of consumers, this safe gluten-free option would be the main priority. |
| Portions and serving | Check the number of individual portions and the portion size. Packaged portions still need to be served in a clean area. | With several snacks on the table, I want to be able to serve the gluten-free crackers separately with ease and keep any unopened portions. Around 25% of consumers would focus mainly on this convenience. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings for both the crackers and the toppings. | If a guest also needs to avoid milk, soya, sesame or mustard, I don’t want to assume that ‘gluten-free’ tells me anything about those ingredients. For around 17% of consumers, these additional checks would come first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and protein per 100 g, and check the nutritional values per portion too. | If the crackers are more than just a small snack with coffee, I want to know how the options compare nutritionally. Around 16% of consumers would make this their main selection criterion. |
Wheat-free doesn’t rule out gluten from other grains, such as rye and barley. Bolletje lists wheat flour and wheat gluten in its Proteïn & Low carb Crackers; Meulen Holland lists ingredients including wheat, barley and rye in its Melba Crackers High Fibre.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a specific product clearly labelled gluten-free and read the label on that packet.
The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. Once gluten-free crackers are placed on a shared plate, their packaging can no longer protect them.
Put the gluten-free portion on a clean, separate plate and use a separate knife or pair of tongs for the toppings.
Gluten-free crackers may still contain other allergens or carry a warning that they may contain traces of them. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists allergens including milk and soya for the varieties reviewed.
Ask which ingredients your guests need to avoid and check the current information on the crackers, dips and other toppings separately.
Compare the specific gluten-free variety, not just the brand: ingredients, packaging and allergen warnings can differ between products.
Albert Heijn sells several gluten-free cracker-style products under this own-label brand. The AH Glutenvrij Crackers product page describes crackers made with rice flour and maize flour.
This range from Jumbo includes light crackers and seed crackers. When comparing them, check the specific variety and its ingredients list.
Schär makes gluten-free crackers in various styles. The Schär Crackers listed by Jumbo come in six 35 g packets.
Wasa Glutenvrij en lactosevrij classic is a crispbread option for anyone who wants to check for lactose as well as gluten.
Consenza makes gluten-free Pea-Lentil Crackers, among other products. They’re an option to compare with rice- or maize-based crackers.
Not based on ‘wheat-free’ alone: rye and barley also contain gluten. Choose a cracker clearly labelled gluten-free. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, that label may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
Yes. If you’re also serving regular crackers or bread, keep the gluten-free portion separate and use clean serving utensils. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Yes, check the ingredients and allergens in both the crackers and the toppings. For the gluten-free portion, use a clean, separate knife too, so crumbs from other products don’t get into the toppings.
No, check both claims separately on the specific packaging. Albert Heijn lists a gluten- and lactose-free Wasa variety, but also warns that the product may contain milk. This distinction matters if you have a milk allergy.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep gluten-free crackers separate from products containing gluten and any crumbs. Store an opened packet so the remaining crackers won’t come into contact with shared serving utensils.
