If you need to eat gluten-free, choose crispbread marked gluten-free on the current packaging. If you have other food allergies, check the ingredients and warnings too: gluten-free doesn’t mean the product is free from ingredients such as sesame. If you eat crispbread regularly instead of bread, compare the nutritional information and check whether iodised salt has been used.
If you eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease or another confirmed medical need, you need to see a clear indication on the current packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists the words ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol as things to look out for.
If you need to avoid ingredients other than gluten too, check the full allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. For example, for a variety containing sesame, information about milk, soya or mustard may also be relevant.
If you regularly eat it as a breakfast or lunch staple, compare fibre and salt levels and consider how it fits into your overall diet. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands.
First, check that the packaging is suitable for the ingredients you need to avoid. Then compare the nutritional information and product type.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging; don’t rely on the product name alone. | If I need to eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the shape of the crispbread. For around 36% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is the top priority. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information for the allergens you need to avoid. | If you also need to avoid sesame or other allergens, look for a product that meets all those requirements; for around 29% of consumers, this check matters most. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g and check whether iodised salt is listed as an ingredient. | If crispbread often replaces my usual bread, I want to compare the nutritional information and consider iodine as part of my diet. For around 21% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Product type | Check that the variety you’ve chosen is actually crispbread, and read the information on that specific pack. | If you’re looking for a crunchy bread substitute, choose a type that suits how you’ll use it; around 14% of consumers prioritise choosing between suitable varieties. |
The type of product tells you nothing about whether it contains gluten. Ryvita says in its own FAQ that all its products contain gluten.
Check the gluten-free label and ingredients list on the current packaging every time you buy.
A gluten-free variety may contain other allergens you need to know about. According to Jumbo, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame and may contain milk, mustard and soya.
Compare all the ingredients and allergen warnings with the things you need to avoid.
Fibre and salt should be compared separately. Albert Heijn lists 6.5 g of fibre and 2.4 g of salt per 100 g for AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread; Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt.
Check both values per 100 g and take the portion you actually eat into account when choosing.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. You can check whether a bread substitute contains iodised salt in the ingredients information.
Check for this when crispbread regularly replaces your usual bread, and consider the sources of iodine in your overall diet.
Albert Heijn lists 230 g packs of AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread in its range.
Wasa’s range includes the Gluten- & Lactosevrij Sesame & Sea Salt crispbread variety.
Among its gluten-free crackers and crispbread varieties, Albert Heijn lists Schär Hafer knäckebrot and Knusperbrot dunkel.
Ryvita makes crispbread and crackerbread, but it isn’t a gluten-free option: according to its own FAQ, all Ryvita products contain gluten.
No, crispbread may contain grains that contain gluten. Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the ingredients too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists these as things to look for in gluten-free products.
Not automatically. According to Jumbo, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame and may contain milk, mustard and soya. So even with a gluten-free product, check the ingredients and warnings for the allergens you need to avoid.
Yes. Albert Heijn lists gluten-free wholegrain oat flour and gluten-free oat flakes among the ingredients in AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread. Check the specific variety if oats are a concern for you.
Check whether the crispbread contains iodised salt, and consider other sources of iodine in your diet when making your choice. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, so don’t assume every bread substitute plays the same role.
No, not if you need to eat gluten-free. Ryvita says in its own FAQ that all its products contain gluten; in that case, choose crispbread marked gluten-free on the current packaging.
