Who is this choice relevant to?

Employees with coeliac disease

An ordinary cracker is not a substitute for one with a current gluten-free label. How crackers are stored after opening matters too: the Dutch Coeliac Society says gluten cross-contamination can happen at work.

People managing shared office snacks

You want to put out crackers without any confusion about the packaging, ingredients or separation from gluten-containing snacks. Keep the original packaging with the snacks and give gluten-free crackers their own place.

Buyers with additional dietary requirements

If a colleague also needs to avoid certain ingredients or wants to compare nutritional values, ‘gluten-free’ does not tell you everything. Check the allergens and nutritional information for the exact variety.

What should you look for?

Start with the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then consider how the crackers will be stored and shared at work, and only after that compare the other ingredients and nutritional information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Don’t rely on terms such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘low-carb’. If you’re buying crackers for a colleague with coeliac disease, gluten-free suitability should come first; for around 50% of consumers, this is the most important requirement when buying.
Storage and sharing Check whether the packaging can stay sealed until the crackers are eaten, or whether it contains smaller packs. Store gluten-free crackers separately from opened packs of ordinary crackers. In a shared kitchen, you’ll want to prevent hands or crumbs from touching the crackers; around 30% of consumers put safe sharing first.
Other ingredients Check the allergen information for each variety and, if you wish, compare fibre and salt levels on the label. If colleagues need to avoid ingredients as well as gluten, you’ll need more than a gluten-free label; for around 20% of consumers, those additional ingredients are the deciding factor.

Common mistakes with office snacks

  • Assuming ‘wholegrain’ or ‘low-carb’ means gluten-free

    Bolletje lists wholemeal wheat flour and barley malt extract among the ingredients in its Lichte Crackers Volkoren. ‘Low-carb’ on its own does not mean a cracker is gluten-free either.

    For a gluten-free office snack supply, use the current gluten-free label or Crossed Grain symbol as your guide, and read the ingredients list.

  • Putting gluten-free crackers in with ordinary crackers

    The Dutch Coeliac Society says gluten cross-contamination can also happen at work. It is difficult to prevent contact with crumbs when crackers are kept together in a shared, open tin.

    Store gluten-free crackers separately and keep them sealed for as long as possible. When serving, open them last and use a clean, separate surface.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Gluten-free does not mean free from other allergens. Jumbo lists egg, oats and sesame in its seeded crackers, along with a warning that they may contain nuts.

    Read the allergen information for the exact variety and keep the original packaging, or a clearly readable label, with the snacks.

  • Relying on a changing range for regular supplies

    A gluten-free cracker you found before may not be available next time you shop. That can be tricky if you need to keep replenishing the same office snack supply.

    Check which specific product is available before you buy, and reassess the current packaging if you choose a substitute.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Albert Heijn / AH Glutenvrij

AH Glutenvrij Crackers, in a 130 g pack, are made with rice flour and maize flour.

  • Albert Heijn says these crackers are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product information notes that they may contain milk and lactose. Check the packaging of the product you buy.

Jumbo / Lekker Vrij van Gluten

This range includes light crackers and seeded crackers, with different ingredients and allergens.

  • Jumbo displays the Crossed Grain symbol on its light crackers.
  • According to Jumbo, the seeded crackers contain egg, oats and sesame and may contain nuts; check this variety separately.

Schär

Schär Crackers are sold in packs of six 35 g portions, a format worth considering for individual use at the office.

  • The smaller packs mean you don’t have to open the entire supply at once.
  • The product information lists soya. Check the label if anyone needs to avoid soya.

Nairn's

Super Seeded Wholegrain Crackers combine gluten-free wholegrain oats with seeds.

  • If you’re comparing nutritional values, Jumbo’s product information lists 7,9 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety.
  • The same product information lists oats as an allergen and notes that the crackers may contain milk.

Lidl

Lidl’s gluten-free range can vary. For the office snack supply, choose a specific product rather than relying on the shop name alone.

  • A suitable cracker may be worth considering if the current packaging has a gluten-free label and clear allergen information.
  • Check the available variety and its packaging each time you buy before adding it to the shared snack supply.

Products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When are crackers suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Choose crackers whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol, then prevent them from coming into contact with gluten-containing crumbs. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used on food for the final consumer if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. ‘Wholegrain’ or ‘low-carb’ is no substitute for that label.

Can gluten-free crackers be kept loose in a shared biscuit tin?

It’s better to store them separately and keep them in their own packaging for as long as possible, rather than placing them loose among ordinary crackers. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises opening gluten-free products last when serving; use a clean, separate surface.

Are gluten-free crackers also free from milk, egg, soya or nuts?

No, it varies by product and variety. Albert Heijn notes that AH Glutenvrij Crackers may contain milk and lactose; Jumbo lists egg and warns that its seeded crackers may contain nuts. So always check the packaging for other allergen information, even on gluten-free crackers.