Who this choice matters to

People with coeliac disease

You check that the product is labelled gluten-free before looking at the sugar content. Ordinary crispbread made with rye or barley is not an alternative just because it contains little sugar.

People comparing sugar content

You’re looking for a lower amount of total sugars among gluten-free options. The nutrition information per 100 g makes it easy to compare packs of different sizes.

People who eat crispbread often

As well as checking that it’s labelled gluten-free, you want to take fibre, salt, other allergens and whether iodised salt is listed into account.

What to look for when choosing

A low sugar figure is only useful for comparison once you’ve confirmed that the crispbread is labelled gluten-free. The three points below can then help you weigh up different needs when shopping.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling Check the pack for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol; also read the ingredients and allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to choose an ordinary rye cracker just because its sugar figure is low. That’s why an estimated 46% of consumers put gluten-free labelling first.
Total sugars Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g; don’t confuse total sugars with added sugars alone. When choosing between gluten-free products, I want to know how much sugar each contains on the same basis. An estimated 36% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
As a bread alternative Check fibre and salt per 100 g, the type of salt in the ingredients and any warnings about other allergens. If I regularly eat crispbread instead of bread, I want to consider more than just sugars. For an estimated 18% of consumers, these everyday considerations matter most.

The product pages from Jumbo and Albert Heijn list 1.5 g of sugars, 10 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt; 1.8 g of sugars, 6.5 g of fibre and 2.4 g of salt for AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk; and 2.0 g of sugars, 7 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt for Wasa Classic. AH lists iodised salt among the ingredients of its own crispbread. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers are not required to use this salt. So don’t assume crispbread contains iodised salt just because of the product category.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing ordinary rye crispbread because it contains little sugar

    A low sugar content doesn’t change the fact that it contains gluten. For example, the Joybuy product information for Wasa sourdough rye crackers lists rye and barley malt extract.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the pack for gluten-free labelling first, then compare the nutritional values.

  • Taking ‘low sugar’ as a judgement of the whole product

    The claim refers to the amount of sugars, not whether the product is labelled gluten-free, its salt content, fibre or other allergens. ‘No added sugars’ also means something different from the figure for total sugars.

    Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g alongside the other nutrition information, and check the ingredients list separately.

  • Assuming all crispbread contains iodised salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use iodised baker’s salt. So you can’t tell what type of salt is used just from the name crispbread.

    Look for an explicit mention of iodised salt on the pack, but don’t treat it as a reason to eat more salt.

  • Relying only on the online product page

    Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutrition values and allergen information can change. This matters if your choice depends on the gluten-free label or another allergen in particular.

    Check the physical packaging again before using the product.

Brands and shops to consider

Wasa

The gluten-free Sesame & Sea Salt and Classic varieties are listed on the product pages consulted from Jumbo and Albert Heijn respectively.

  • The pages list 1.5 and 2.0 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, alongside 10 and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame. Not all Wasa products are gluten-free: the Joybuy listing for Wasa rye crackers includes rye and barley.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists its own AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread.

  • The product page describes the crispbread as gluten-free and lists iodised salt among the ingredients.
  • The same page lists 2.4 g of salt per 100 g and warns that product information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for Wasa Gluten- & Lactosevrij Sesame & Sea Salt crispbread.

  • The product page lists 1.5 g of sugars, 10 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The product contains sesame; the page also notes that it may contain milk, mustard and soya.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is rye crispbread suitable for someone with coeliac disease if it contains little sugar?

No. A low sugar content doesn’t make ordinary rye crispbread gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol on the pack.

When can crispbread be described as ‘low sugar’?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this claim can be used for a solid food if it contains no more than 5 g of sugars per 100 g. Even when there’s no such claim, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; the claim says nothing about whether the product is labelled gluten-free.

Does gluten-free crispbread automatically contain iodised salt?

No. Gluten-free labelling tells you nothing about the type of salt used. Check the ingredients for ‘iodised salt’, especially if crispbread regularly replaces bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use iodised baker’s salt.

Should I look out for other allergens as well as gluten?

Yes. Gluten-free doesn’t mean a product is free from other allergens. According to Jumbo, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame and may also contain milk, mustard and soya, according to its product page. So always read the allergen information on the packaging.