For a fussy eater with coeliac disease, only choose crispbread whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol; ordinary rye crispbread and Ryvita are not suitable alternatives. Then compare the ingredients and other allergens, and try a suitable option in a small portion: whether they enjoy the taste will vary from person to person.
You’re looking for crispbread for breakfast, lunch or a snack that fits a strict gluten-free diet. The gluten-free label on the current packaging and information about ingredients and possible contact with gluten matter more than the brand name.
You want to try a suitable cracker without assuming they’ll like herbs, seeds or a particular texture. Other allergens and the choice of topping may also play a part.
As well as checking that it’s gluten-free, you compare nutritional information, such as fibre per 100 g. If you eat little bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends considering sources of iodine as part of your overall diet.
If you have coeliac disease, a gluten-free label is essential for every choice. Only then can you weigh up taste, other allergens and how crispbread fits into the meal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Also read the ingredients and any warnings about possible contact with gluten. | When I’m preparing a meal for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a brand name: I want to check the gluten-free label and warnings. For around 50% of consumers, this check is the most important factor when buying. |
| Taste and texture | Check which herbs or seeds the product contains, and try one suitable option at a time in a small portion. | When choosing for a fussy eater, I want to find out whether they like a cracker’s taste and texture, without assuming they’ll automatically eat a gluten-free product. For around 30% of consumers, this comes first when choosing. |
| Other allergens and nutritional information | Check for allergens that are present or may be present. Compare fibre per 100 g and, if you regularly replace bread, consider your overall diet. | When I replace bread more often, I want to check that the product is suitable for any other allergies and how the cracker compares with the rest of the meal. For around 20% of consumers, this broader check is their top priority when buying. |
Rye contains gluten. Ryvita also states that all its products contain gluten, so the brand name does not indicate a suitable choice for a strictly gluten-free meal.
Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and any warnings on each pack. Don’t rely on the colour of the packaging or a claim about fibre.
Gluten-free doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with another allergy. Albert Heijn says Wasa Classic may contain milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard. Jumbo says Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds and may contain milk, mustard and soya.
If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging for both the allergens the product contains and those it may contain.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Wasa Classic contains fennel, aniseed and caraway, among other ingredients. Jumbo states that Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains 9% sesame seeds. These ingredients don’t tell you whether an individual will enjoy the taste.
Try one suitable option at a time in a small portion, perhaps with a familiar gluten-free topping, and see how they respond to that combination.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that eating little bread, or bread without iodised salt, can affect your iodine intake. Don’t assume crispbread contains iodine simply because it contains salt.
Check whether the packaging mentions baker’s salt, and consider the rest of your diet if you’re replacing bread over the long term. A dietitian specialising in this area can help you assess your diet.
The gluten-free Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt varieties each have their own ingredients and allergen information; the characteristics of one variety don’t automatically apply to other Wasa products.
In this context, Ryvita is mainly relevant as a reminder not to mistake ordinary crispbread for a gluten-free option.
The product information for Wasa Gluten-free and lactose-free Classic lets you compare the ingredients and potential allergens in this specific variety.
The product information for Wasa Gluten- and Lactose-free Crispbread Sesame & Sea Salt relates to one specific variety.
A temporary gluten-free range is not the same as a gluten-free label on a specific pack of crispbread.
A listing for Goud Gebakken wholegrain crispbread is not, by itself, a gluten-free label.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also read the ingredients and any warnings about possible contact with gluten rather than relying on the product name.
No, not as gluten-free crispbread: Ryvita states that all its products contain gluten. For a strictly gluten-free meal, choose a product whose current packaging explicitly says it is gluten-free.
Because a gluten-free variety may still contain another allergen, or may contain traces of one. Albert Heijn says Wasa Classic may contain milk, soya, sesame seeds and mustard; Jumbo lists sesame seeds as an ingredient in Sesame & Sea Salt and says it may contain milk, mustard and soya. If you have a relevant allergy, always check the current packaging.
No, don’t assume it will. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights iodine intake if you eat little bread or bread without iodised salt. Check whether the packaging mentions baker’s salt, and consider a long-term switch from bread as part of your overall diet.
