A host with a guest who has coeliac disease
Wants to serve crispbread at the Christmas table with a gluten-free claim that can be checked on the packaging, and keep it separate from ordinary bread.
Who is this choice important for?
A guest with coeliac disease and other allergies
Needs to check not only for gluten but also the ingredients and warnings for allergens such as sesame, milk, mustard and soya. Gluten-free does not automatically mean free from these allergens.
Someone who regularly replaces bread with gluten-free alternatives
Wants to assess their iodine sources across their overall diet, without assuming that all gluten-free crispbread is made with iodised baker’s salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
When you’re planning a Christmas dinner for someone with coeliac disease, start by checking the crispbread label. Then think about how you’ll serve it separately and which other allergens may be present in the product and its toppings.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the ingredients. | When I buy crispbread for a guest with coeliac disease, I want to see the gluten-free claim on the packaging itself. Around 36% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Serving separately | Set aside a clean plate and separate serving utensils; keep the product away from bread crumbs. | At a Christmas buffet, I want to prevent the gluten-free option from coming into contact with ordinary bread. Around 29% of consumers put serving it separately first. |
| Other allergens | Check the allergen information on the crispbread and the ingredients in the toppings. | If my guest has another allergy as well as coeliac disease, the toppings need to be suitable too. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this additional allergen check. |
| Iodine in the diet | Check whether the packaging lists iodised salt or baker’s salt; if you regularly replace bread, consider your overall diet too. | If I often replace bread with gluten-free alternatives, I don’t want to assume they provide the same amount of iodine. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers when making this choice. |
Common mistakes when choosing and serving
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Assuming crunchy crispbread is gluten-free
Ordinary crispbread may contain grains that contain gluten. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you can identify gluten-free products by the ‘gluten-free’ wording or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.
Don’t choose based on appearance or brand name: check the current packaging and read the ingredients list.
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Putting a gluten-free product on a shared breadboard
Crumbs from ordinary bread or a shared spreading knife could come into contact with the gluten-free option.
Use a clean, separate plate and serving utensils, and don’t place the crispbread among crumbly bread products.
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Checking only the gluten label
Gluten-free crispbread may contain other allergens. Jumbo lists sesame as an ingredient in Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt, and states that it may contain milk, mustard and soya.
Ask about any other allergies and check both the crispbread packaging and the toppings.
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Assuming you’ll get the same iodine from crispbread as from bread
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t mean all gluten-free crispbread provides the same amount.
Check the label. If you eat very little bread over the long term, you can discuss your overall sources of iodine with a dietitian if needed.
Brands and retailers to consider
Wasa
Two specific varieties offer different flavours for the Christmas table: Gluten- & Lactose Vrij Classic and Gluten- & Lactosevrij Sesame & Sea Salt.
- Wasa describes Classic as gluten-free and lactose-free; according to the product information, it may contain traces of sesame seeds and milk.
- According to Jumbo, the Sesame & Sea Salt variety contains 9% sesame seeds and may contain milk, mustard and soya. If you have other allergies, check the current packaging.
Albert Heijn
A retailer to check for information about gluten-free crispbread products, not confirmation that a previously listed product is available.
- Product pages can help you identify a specific variety before checking its packaging.
- An Albert Heijn page lists Wasa Knäckebröd gv as ‘Discontinued’. Don’t base your choice for Christmas dinner on an older product listing.
Jumbo
The product information for Wasa Gluten- & Lactosevrij Knäckebröd Sesame & Sea Salt 240 g can help you assess this specific variety.
- Jumbo lists 9% sesame seeds and says the product may contain milk, mustard and soya.
- Check the packaging itself when buying or receiving the product, even if you’ve already read the ingredients online.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging a useful guide for coeliac disease?
Yes. For a pre-packed product, the current ‘gluten-free’ claim is a useful starting point. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may only be used if the gluten content of the food sold to consumers is no more than 20 mg/kg. Also check the other ingredients and prevent contact with food containing gluten when serving.
How should I serve gluten-free crispbread alongside ordinary bread?
Keep the gluten-free crispbread on a clean, separate plate and use separate knives and toppings. This helps prevent contact with crumbs and serving utensils used for bread containing gluten.
Can I ask a baker or caterer about allergens in unpackaged food?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses selling unpackaged food must inform consumers about the allergens it contains. Before buying, ask which ingredients have been used and separately discuss how the food is prepared and served.
Does gluten-free crispbread automatically provide iodine like bread made with baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume it provides the same amount of iodine. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. So check the crispbread label, and if you regularly replace bread, consider your overall diet.