If you have coeliac disease, choose crispbread labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the packaging for ingredients and allergens. AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd lists iodised salt and says it is made in a completely gluten-free environment; the gluten-free Wasa varieties have different ingredients and nutritional values. When serving it with coffee and cake, also check the cake and toppings, and make sure you use separate kitchen utensils.
You’re looking for gluten-free crispbread to have with your coffee and want to avoid it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary cake, shared toppings or kitchen utensils. Coeliac UK points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms if you have coeliac disease.
As well as checking that it’s labelled gluten-free, you want to assess the ingredients, fibre, salt and any allergens that are relevant to you. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that the crispbreads mentioned differ in these respects.
If you don’t eat much regular bread, whether the product contains iodised salt may influence your choice. Coeliac UK explains that bakers aren’t required to use bread salt, so check the label on the crispbread you choose.
For people with coeliac disease, the ‘gluten-free’ label is the first thing to look for. The ingredients and the way you serve the crispbread will determine what else you need to check.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to most |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging. When serving, keep it away from crumbs from ordinary cake and shared kitchen utensils. | When I’m having coffee and cake, I want to know that my crispbread is gluten-free and won’t come into contact with ordinary cake; this is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Flavour and other allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the crispbread and the cake. Look out for sesame and statements about possible traces of milk, soya or mustard. | I’m looking for something that suits my coffee break without choosing an ingredient I need to avoid; this combination is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Fibre, salt and iodine | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and consider how much you eat in a serving. Check the ingredients list to see whether iodised salt is used. | If I often eat crispbread instead of bread, I want to take the nutritional information and use of iodised salt into account; around 20% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
Wheat isn’t the only grain that contains gluten: rye and barley are also relevant. For people with coeliac disease, a product’s lack of wheat in the ingredients list is no substitute for a ‘gluten-free’ label.
Use ‘gluten-free’ as your first filter, then check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Gluten-free crispbread may still contain sesame or carry a statement about the possible presence of other allergens. Check the information separately for cake and toppings.
Read the full allergen information for everything you’re serving together, paying attention to the allergens that are relevant to you.
Fibre and salt each tell you something different about a product’s nutritional value. Albert Heijn’s product labels list 6.5 g of fibre and 2.4 g of salt per 100 g for AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd; Wasa Classic contains 7 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare both values on the same basis, per 100 g, then consider your usual serving size.
According to Coeliac UK, bakers aren’t required to use bread salt, so the presence of iodised salt varies from product to product.
Check the ingredients list if this matters to your choice, especially if you regularly eat crispbread instead of bread.
Classic and Sesame & Sea Salt are two separate gluten-free crispbreads with different ingredients and nutritional values.
AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd is a specific bread alternative whose product information lists iodised salt.
Jumbo provides product information for Wasa Gluten- & Lactosevrij Sesame & Sea Salt; assess this specific variety rather than the shop name.
Lidl provides information about gluten-free products and also lists wholegrain crispbread as a separate product.
Not on that information alone: choose crispbread labelled ‘gluten-free’. Rye and barley also contain gluten, and according to Coeliac UK, even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms if you have coeliac disease.
Keep the gluten-free crispbread separate from ordinary cake, and use clean crockery and kitchen utensils. Also check the packaging of the cake and toppings if they’re intended for someone with coeliac disease.
No, the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you anything about those individual allergens. Albert Heijn says Wasa Classic may contain milk, soya and sesame seeds; according to Jumbo, Wasa Sesame & Sea Salt contains sesame seeds as an ingredient.
No, check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen. AH Glutenvrij Vezelrijk knäckebröd lists iodised salt; Coeliac UK points out that the use of bread salt isn’t compulsory.
Use the product page to compare products, but check the packaging of the one you buy before serving it. Jumbo warns that online product information may be incorrect or out of date.
