Choose a pre-packed crunchy product that is actually labelled ‘gluten-free’, and serve it separately from regular toast, breadcrumbs and shared spreads. Crispbreads, rice toast or crackers can all go well with coffee. Also check the ingredients and allergens that are relevant to your guests, as ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you everything about them.
You want to serve something crunchy with coffee without regular toast or crumbs getting onto the gluten-free snack. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
As well as gluten, eggs, oats, nuts or sesame may also be relevant to your guests. So check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose; a gluten-free label doesn’t rule out other allergens.
You’re looking for a change from crispbreads or crackers, but don’t want to assume they play the same role in your diet as bread. The Voedingscentrum notes that bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands.
If you’re serving a guest with coeliac disease, first check that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and take care to prevent crumbs when serving. Then choose a product that suits the toppings and check the label for any other allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served separately | Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Use a clean serving plate and separate serving utensils if regular bread or toast is also on the table. | If I’m hosting a friend with coeliac disease, I want to stop crumbs from regular toast getting onto their snack. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this combination of product choice and serving method. |
| Shape for toppings and sharing | Compare the size and shape of crispbreads, rice toast and crackers with the toppings you plan to offer. | For a coffee table with toppings, I’m looking for a crunchy base that guests can pick up easily. Around 29% of consumers would make the serving format their first consideration. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients list and allergen information for each product, even if it says ‘gluten-free’. | If guests have other food allergies too, I want to know whether eggs, oats, nuts or sesame are present. An estimated 21% of consumers would prioritise these additional checks. |
| Regularly replacing bread | If you use the product frequently, check the nutritional information and see whether it contains iodised baker’s salt. | If I often replace bread with gluten-free crunchy products, I don’t want to assume they provide the same amount of iodine. This would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Regular toast may contain wheat. The name or shape of a rice product is no substitute for checking the current packaging either.
If you’re serving a guest with coeliac disease, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the packaging of the specific product you buy.
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. So choosing a suitably labelled product is only part of what you need to consider at the table.
Serve it separately on a clean plate, and use a separate, clean knife or spoon for the toppings.
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains eggs, oats, nuts or sesame. Jumbo’s product information for Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid lists eggs and oats, and warns that it may contain, among other things, nuts and sesame.
Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests, and check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Don’t assume that a gluten-free crispbread provides the same amount.
If you regularly replace bread, consider your overall diet. If needed, discuss any questions with a dietitian who specialises in this area.
Jumbo lists Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid 100 g as a toast-style product from this brand.
Jumbo describes Rice Toast Sweet Herbs as gluten-free rice toast: a different type of product from traditional wheat toast.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free range includes crackers and other bakery products, giving you alternatives to crispbreads.
According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the claim ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the product, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. If you’re serving a guest with coeliac disease, look for this claim on the current packaging, rather than relying on words such as ‘rice’ or ‘wheat-free’.
Serve them on a separate, clean plate and use separate, clean utensils for the toppings. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Not necessarily: ‘gluten-free’ says nothing about those other allergens. For Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid, Jumbo lists eggs and oats and warns that the product may contain, among other things, nuts and sesame. Check the current packaging of the product you plan to serve.
Don’t assume that it does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. If you regularly replace bread, check the ingredients of the alternative and consider your overall diet.
