Who is this choice important for?

Caterers serving guests with coeliac disease

You need a clearly labelled gluten-free option, rather than standard rye or wheat crispbread. Check the exact packaging and record the ingredients and allergens for the buffet.

Organisers of a self-service buffet

You’re serving crackers and toppings alongside other products. Guests must be able to access allergen information where they make their choice, including when products are offered unpackaged.

Buyers catering for multiple allergens

As well as gluten, sesame, milk, soya or mustard may also be relevant. Check both the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements for each variety.

What should you check when buying?

Start with the gluten-free claim on the exact packaging, then decide how you’ll serve the buffet. Only then compare varieties for other allergens and nutritional information.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free claim Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen; ‘wholegrain’ or ‘high in fibre’ tells you nothing about this. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product making this claim must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. When buying for guests with coeliac disease, I don’t want to accidentally put standard rye crispbread on their table. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a clearly labelled gluten-free option.
Buffet information Decide whether crackers and toppings will remain packaged or be served unpackaged. For unpackaged food, make sure the required allergen information is available where guests make their choice, as stipulated by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. At a self-service buffet, I want guests to know which allergens are in the crackers and toppings before they pick them up. For around 30% of consumers, information at the buffet is a priority.
Other ingredients Compare the ingredients, ‘may contain’ statements and nutritional information per 100 g for each variety. Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame; Wasa Classic may contain sesame, milk, soya and mustard, among other things, according to the product information on Jumbo. When allergens other than gluten are a consideration, I don’t want to rely on the front of the pack alone. Other ingredients and nutritional information are the deciding factors for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes when putting together the buffet

  • Mistaking ‘wholegrain’ or ‘rye’ for gluten-free

    Rye contains gluten. Ryvita also says that all its products contain gluten, so standard Ryvita crispbread isn’t suitable for a gluten-free selection.

    Only include the exact variety with an explicit gluten-free claim on the shopping list for that selection.

  • Switching brands without checking the variety

    Allergen statements vary between gluten-free Wasa varieties: Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame as an ingredient, while Classic lists sesame and other allergens as potentially present.

    Record the full product name and allergen information. Check both again if a supplier offers a different flavour or version.

  • Serving food unpackaged without accessible allergen information

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about relevant allergens in unpackaged food must be available where the product is offered.

    Before the buffet, decide how guests can access this information for every cracker and topping. For cereals containing gluten, state which cereal it is.

  • Mistaking a product listing for a supply agreement

    Jumbo’s product page says that the Consenza crispbread reviewed is no longer part of its online range. This listing isn’t a sound basis for planning a large order.

    Confirm that the supplier can provide the exact variety before finalising your buffet menu.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread is a specific own-brand variety that Albert Heijn labels as gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn says this variety is made in a completely gluten-free environment. The ingredients list includes gluten-free oats, rice and maize; the nutritional information lists 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The variety contains oats, may contain sesame and has 2,4 g of salt per 100 g. Check the packaging of the product you’ll actually serve.

Wasa

According to the product information on Jumbo, Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt are two separate gluten- and lactose-free crispbread varieties.

  • Classic lists 1,1 g of salt and 7 g of fibre per 100 g. Sesame & Sea Salt lists 9% sesame seeds and 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Classic may contain milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard. Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds and may contain milk, mustard and soya. Assess each variety separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Luchtige Crackers is an option if crispbread isn’t essential.

  • The product page lists rice flour, maize flour and salt as ingredients, and displays the crossed grain symbol.
  • These are light, airy crackers, not crispbread. Check separately whether their size and presentation will suit your planned buffet.

Consenza

The organic multigrain variety described on Jumbo is gluten-free crispbread made with oats, maize and rice.

  • The product information reviewed lists iodised salt and describes the variety as gluten-free.
  • The product page says it may contain sesame and that this variety is no longer part of the online range. Confirm availability before planning to use it.

Ryvita

Ryvita isn’t suitable for the gluten-free section of this conference buffet.

  • Ryvita says that all its products contain gluten. Don’t offer Ryvita crispbread as a gluten-free option.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘gluten-free’ mean a product contains absolutely no gluten?

No. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food labelled ‘gluten-free’ may contain up to 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the claim on the specific packaging; ‘wholegrain’ and ‘high in fibre’ are not substitutes for it.

What allergen information is needed when crackers and toppings are served unpackaged at the buffet?

For unpackaged food, allergen information must be available where guests choose the product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirement to provide information about 14 allergens; for cereals containing gluten, it must be clear which cereal is involved.

Are Wasa Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt interchangeable if sesame is a concern?

No. According to the product information on Jumbo, Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds as an ingredient, while Classic lists sesame seeds as potentially present. For guests with a relevant allergy, check the current packaging of the exact variety.

Can Ryvita be included among the gluten-free crispbread options?

No. Ryvita says that all its products contain gluten. Don’t present Ryvita crispbread as a gluten-free alternative for guests with coeliac disease.

Does all gluten-free crispbread contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that based on the product category. The ingredients information for AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk and the Consenza variety reviewed lists iodised salt. If this ingredient matters for your menu, check the packaging of the variety you’re buying.