Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone buying for someone with coeliac disease

You want to choose a variant labelled gluten-free every time, without mistaking ordinary rye crispbread for a gluten-free alternative.

Households keeping several packs in stock

You may not use a whole pack in one go. In that case, the best-before date, packaging and storage instructions for after opening all affect how much you should buy.

Shoppers with other labelling requirements

As well as checking that it’s gluten-free, you may want to check for other allergens, ingredients, fibre or salt. This information varies from product to product and between variants.

What should you look for when stocking up?

First, check that the exact product is labelled gluten-free. Then choose a pack size and ingredients that suit how much you use and any other labelling requirements you have.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free labelling Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current label and check the ingredients. Ordinary crispbread made with rye, wheat or barley is not a gluten-free alternative. When I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the brand name or packaging. For around 46% of consumers, a product clearly labelled gluten-free comes first.
Packaging and storage Check the best-before date, the quantity in each pack, and the instructions for storing and resealing it after opening. If I use a pack slowly, I don’t want to buy more than I can use in line with the storage instructions. Around 27% of consumers give this practical approach to stocking up top priority.
Other allergens and nutritional information Read the ingredients and allergen warnings; compare fibre and salt on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. As well as being gluten-free, the exact pack needs to meet my other labelling requirements. For around 27% of consumers, other allergens or nutritional information matter most when making their final choice.

Common mistakes when stocking up

  • Choosing ordinary rye crispbread as a gluten-free alternative

    Rye contains gluten. Ryvita states that its products contain gluten, and rye is listed in the ingredients of its Original Crispbread.

    Only choose a variant labelled ‘gluten-free’ for your stock, and check the ingredients on the pack you’re buying.

  • Buying more packs than you can use

    A large stock is less practical if the packs reach their best-before date before you use them, or if an opened pack isn’t stored according to the instructions.

    Choose the number of packs to suit how much you use and the best-before dates on the packaging. After opening, follow the product’s storage and resealing instructions.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens too

    Wasa Gluten-free and lactose-free classic may contain milk, soya, sesame and mustard. The AH Gluten-free High Fibre crispbread reviewed contains oats and may contain sesame.

    If you have other allergies, check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variant. Compare nutritional information separately, per 100 g.

  • Assuming every pack contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread substitutes through baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use this salt.

    If you regularly eat crispbread instead of bread, check the ingredients list of your chosen product to see whether it mentions iodised salt or baker’s salt.

Brands compared

Compare the exact variant from each brand: the brand name alone won’t tell you whether the crispbread is gluten-free or which allergens are listed on the pack.

Wasa

Wasa offers variants including Gluten-free and lactose-free classic, and Sesame & Sea Salt.

  • According to Albert Heijn, classic is available in portion packs, which may be useful if you use a pack slowly.
  • Check the allergens for each variant: classic may contain milk, soya, sesame and mustard; Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame and may contain milk, mustard and soya.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn sells AH Gluten-free High Fibre crispbread as its own-brand option in a 230 g pack.

  • According to Albert Heijn, this variant is gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free. Its nutritional information lists 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information also lists oats, a possible presence of sesame, and 2.4 g of salt per 100 g. Reseal the pack carefully after use.

Ryvita

Ryvita is included here mainly to help distinguish regular rye crispbread from gluten-free alternatives.

  • Ryvita states that all its products contain gluten. The Original Crispbread reviewed contains rye, so it is not a gluten-free alternative.

Lidl

Lidl has an overview of its gluten-free range, but always assess crispbread as an individual product.

  • Only decide what to stock once you’ve checked the gluten-free labelling, ingredients and storage instructions for the exact variant.

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Frequently asked questions

When can crispbread be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Oats labelled this way must also meet conditions designed to prevent contamination with wheat, rye or barley.

Can I stock up on ordinary rye crispbread as a gluten-free alternative?

No. Rye contains gluten, so ordinary rye crispbread is not a substitute for a variant labelled gluten-free. Ryvita states that its products contain gluten, and rye is an ingredient in its Original Crispbread.

How should I plan my supply of gluten-free crispbread?

Buy an amount that suits how much you use and the best-before dates on the packs. Follow the storage instructions for your chosen variant: Albert Heijn says to store its crispbread reviewed in a cool, dry place and reseal it carefully after use; Jumbo recommends storing the Wasa variant reviewed in a cool, dry place.

Does gluten-free crispbread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product category alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list if crispbread regularly replaces bread: the AH variant reviewed lists iodised salt, while Wasa classic lists only ‘salt’.

Why should I check the label again when buying the same product?

Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn points this out in its product information, so check the current pack when restocking, especially for the gluten-free label and any warnings about other allergens.