People working from home with coeliac disease
They’re looking for a quick lunch base whose current packaging carries the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coeliac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet.
If you have coeliac disease, choose crispbread labelled ‘gluten-free’; ordinary rye crispbread, such as Ryvita Original, is not a suitable alternative. Then check the pack for other allergens, fibre and salt. If crispbread regularly replaces bread in your lunch, also check whether it contains iodised salt.
They’re looking for a quick lunch base whose current packaging carries the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coeliac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet.
As well as checking that crispbread is gluten-free, they want to consider its fibre, salt and ingredients, along with the nutritional value of the whole lunch. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that products vary in these respects.
If they regularly eat crispbread for lunch, they want to know whether it contains iodised salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even bread is not required to be made with baker’s salt.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the ‘gluten-free’ label on the pack. Then compare what else matters for your lunch: other allergens, nutritional value and, if crispbread often replaces bread, iodised salt.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free options for coeliac disease | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the pack; also check for warnings about other relevant allergens. | If you have coeliac disease, don’t judge a quick lunch option by the type of grain alone. For around 50% of consumers, the ‘gluten-free’ label is the top priority. |
| Fibre, salt and your lunch | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g and per serving; include the toppings when assessing your lunch. | If you often have the same crispbread for lunch, you’ll want to know how the product and toppings work together. Around 30% of consumers prioritise fibre and salt. |
| Iodine when replacing bread | Check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt, and consider the bread you’re replacing too. | If crispbread regularly takes the place of bread, don’t take its iodine contribution for granted. For around 20% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Ryvita says its products contain gluten, and Ryvita Original contains rye flour. It is therefore not a suitable alternative for a gluten-free lunch if you have coeliac disease.
Use the ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging as your first selection criterion, rather than looking only at the type of grain.
Allergens vary between products. According to Jumbo’s product information, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame and may contain milk, mustard and soya.
Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the exact product you’re buying.
The products mentioned vary in fibre and salt, and the toppings also contribute to the nutritional value of your lunch. A ‘gluten-free’ label tells you nothing about these differences.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving, and assess the toppings separately.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but its use in bread is not compulsory. So you can’t assume that all crispbread contains iodised salt either.
If you regularly replace bread, check the ingredients in both products and consider the rest of your diet.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread in its gluten-free crackers and crispbread category.
The gluten-free Wasa products reviewed are Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt; their ingredients and warnings are not interchangeable.
Ryvita Original is an ordinary rye crispbread, included here to distinguish it from gluten-free products.
Jumbo says its range includes products for special diets and provides product information for the Wasa product reviewed.
No. Choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ for this lunch. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, that label may only be used if the food contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten for the final consumer. Also read the ingredients and warnings about other relevant allergens.
Yes, oats do not automatically rule out the ‘gluten-free’ label. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets conditions for oats in products sold as gluten-free, including processing that prevents contamination with wheat, rye or barley. Check the label on the current crispbread packaging.
No. Check the ingredients of each product for iodised salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but its use in bread is not compulsory. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk crispbread; this tells you nothing about other products or your total iodine intake.
Check the packaging of the product you’re buying for the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional information. Albert Heijn says that product information may change. When checking whether it is gluten-free and whether it contains any other relevant allergens, use the information on that packaging to guide your choice.