Evening snackers with coeliac disease
You fancy something crunchy, but terms such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘high in fibre’ don’t confirm that crispbread is gluten-free. So check the packaging first.
Who is this relevant for?
People who also avoid other allergens
Gluten-free crispbread may still contain sesame or carry a warning about the possible presence of other allergens. The ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging will determine whether a particular variety suits your dietary needs.
People who eat little bread
If crispbread regularly replaces bread, it’s worth comparing salt and checking for iodised salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. So consider your diet as a whole, rather than just your evening snack.
What should you look for when choosing?
If you have coeliac disease, ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging is your first selection criterion. Then read the allergen information and compare nutritional values for the portion you actually plan to eat.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging; terms such as ‘high in fibre’ or ‘wheat-free’ don’t mean the same thing. | If I want something crunchy late at night and have coeliac disease, the gluten-free label needs to be clear. Around 39% of consumers say this is their most important purchasing criterion. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warning, especially for sesame, milk, soya and mustard. | If I need to avoid sesame as well as gluten, a variety with sesame as an ingredient is out. For around 23% of consumers, checking for other allergens is the most important consideration. |
| Fibre and portion size | Compare fibre per 100 g and consider how much crispbread you plan to have as a snack. | For a small evening snack, I want to be able to adjust the portion and compare the fibre content of suitable varieties. Portion size and fibre are the main priorities for around 23% of consumers. |
| Salt and iodised salt | Compare salt per 100 g and check whether iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 2,4 g of salt per 100 g for AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd and 1,1 g per 100 g for Wasa Classic. | If I eat little bread, I want to consider both the salt content and whether the product contains iodised salt. Around 15% of consumers give this consideration the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘high in fibre’ or a familiar brand means gluten-free
Joybuy’s product information for Wasa Vezelrijke Crackers lists rye and wheat flour. This product is not a gluten-free alternative for someone with coeliac disease, even though its name refers to fibre.
First check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’, then compare the nutritional values.
-
Overlooking other allergens once you’ve checked the gluten-free label
According to Jumbo, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains 9% sesame seeds. The product information for Wasa Classic warns that it may contain milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard.
Every time you buy it, check both the ingredients and any warning about the possible presence of allergens.
-
Choosing crispbread as a bread substitute without checking the iodine content
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. The mention of iodised salt on one pack of crispbread doesn’t tell you how much iodine you’re getting overall.
If you regularly use it as a bread substitute, check the ingredients and consider your diet as a whole.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists a 230 g pack of AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd as a gluten-free option.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variety is produced in a completely gluten-free environment and contains iodised salt and 6,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product information also lists 2,4 g of salt per 100 g, oats and a possible presence of sesame. Check the current packaging if any of these points matter to you.
Wasa
Wasa varieties listed as gluten- and lactose-free include Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt.
- Albert Heijn lists 7 g of fibre and 1,1 g of salt per 100 g for Classic; Jumbo lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for Sesame & Sea Salt.
- According to the product information, Classic may contain milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard. Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds. Check the gluten-free label on each variety: it doesn’t automatically apply to every Wasa product.
Schär
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free Schär products, including Flatbreads glutenvrij.
- Flatbread isn’t the same product as crispbread. For a specific crispbread variety, check the gluten-free label, allergens and nutritional information separately.
Ryvita
Ryvita describes crispbread and crackerbread as product types in its international range.
- Don’t assume a specific Dutch crispbread variety is gluten-free just because of the brand name or product type; check the label on the packaging.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is high-fibre or wholegrain crispbread suitable if you have coeliac disease?
Not unless the packaging carries a gluten-free label. Under European Union Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food labelled ‘gluten-free’ may contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten; ‘high in fibre’ and ‘wholegrain’ don’t tell you anything about gluten on their own. For example, Joybuy’s product information for Wasa Vezelrijke Crackers lists rye and wheat flour.
Can gluten-free crispbread contain oats?
Yes, crispbread labelled ‘gluten-free’ may contain oats. For oats in these products, European Union Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets conditions to prevent contamination with wheat, rye and barley; the finished product may contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also check whether oats are relevant to you for another reason.
How do I check for allergens other than gluten?
Read the current ingredients list and any warning about the possible presence of allergens. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly stated in the ingredients list. Jumbo says Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds; milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard are among the allergens listed as potentially present in Wasa Classic.
How should I store gluten-free crispbread after opening?
Store it in a cool, dry place and close the packaging securely, following the storage advice for the AH and Wasa products mentioned. Always follow the instructions on the packaging for your particular variety.
Is iodised salt important if I eat little bread?
It’s something to consider as part of your overall diet, not a reason to automatically choose one variety of crispbread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd, but that one product doesn’t tell you how much iodine you’re getting overall.