If you have coeliac disease, choose a rice cake with an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging; rice as the main ingredient is no substitute. For a late-morning snack, you can then choose between a plain option, a product with a fibre claim or a chocolate-coated option. For the latter, also compare added sugars and allergens.
Check the gluten-free claim on the exact product and its current packaging, not just the main ingredient. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, both the product and the production process are checked for the Crossed Grain symbol.
If you don’t want a chocolate coating in the late morning, you can compare plain and quinoa options. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for the options reviewed.
The exact option and its packaging determine whether a fibre claim applies. If you prefer chocolate, compare the added sugars and allergens with those of an uncoated rice cake.
If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free claim on the current packaging. Then compare the features that matter most for your snack.
| What to look for | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Explicit gluten-free claim | Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging of the exact option. The Crossed Grain symbol provides an additional check on the product and production process, according to the Dutch Coeliac Association. | If you have coeliac disease, don’t base your choice on rice as an ingredient alone. An explicit gluten-free claim is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Simple, unsweetened option | Compare the ingredients and added sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for the AH plain and quinoa options reviewed. | If you want an uncoated rice cake for the late morning, look for a simple ingredient list without added sugar. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Check the fibre claim on the exact product, as well as the gluten-free claim. Albert Heijn describes its quinoa option as a source of fibre; Jumbo makes the same claim for Consenza Wholegrain Unsalted Rice Cakes. | If comparing fibre claims is your main priority when choosing a snack, the specific option matters. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Sweet flavour | Compare added sugars per 100 g, portion size and allergens. Albert Heijn lists 27 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Milk Chocolate Rice Cakes; this option contains milk and lactose. | If you prefer to take a chocolate rice cake with you, the sweet flavour may matter more than a simple ingredient list. Around 14% of consumers put flavour first. |
If you have coeliac disease, the ‘gluten-free’ claim on the exact product is what matters. EU Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets a limit for gluten in the finished product for this claim.
Check the claim on the current packaging before buying or eating the product.
Albert Heijn lists 27 g of added sugars per 100 g for the milk chocolate rice cake reviewed, compared with 0 g per 100 g for the plain and quinoa options reviewed.
If you’re considering a coated option, also compare the portion size and allergen information.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. A particular option may also be available at some shops but not others.
Check the packaging again every time you buy, and check the shop’s stock if you’re counting on finding a particular rice cake.
The AH rice cakes reviewed include plain, quinoa and milk chocolate options, each with a product-specific gluten-free claim.
Jumbo describes the unsalted wholegrain rice cake reviewed as gluten-free and free from wheat starch.
ALDI lists Goud Gebakken Rice Cakes with Sea Salt as a specific gluten-free option.
PLUS lists a Consenza rice cake with no added salt and a gluten-free claim.
Under EU Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ claim is subject to a limit for gluten in the finished product. If you have coeliac disease, check that the claim appears on the current packaging of the rice cake.
No. Don’t assume a product is gluten-free just because rice is its main ingredient. Check the explicit claim on the exact product; according to the Dutch Coeliac Association, the Crossed Grain symbol also means the product and production process have been checked.
Compare uncoated options by their ingredients and added sugars. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for the AH plain and quinoa rice cakes reviewed; check the current gluten-free claim on these products too.
Store the rice cakes in a cool, dry place and reseal the pack or use an airtight container. This advice is included in the product information reviewed for Albert Heijn and Consenza; follow the storage instructions on your packaging.
Yes. A gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you which other allergens a rice cake contains or may contain. For the quinoa option reviewed, Albert Heijn lists possible traces of milk, sesame seeds and lactose; the milk chocolate option reviewed contains milk and lactose.
