Hosting someone with coeliac disease
You want to prepare a separate gluten-free treat for New Year’s Eve. It’s not just the rusks and chocolate sprinkles that matter: crumbs and shared serving utensils do, too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Looking for a last-minute alternative for the celebrations
You’re looking for a crunchy alternative to ordinary rusks. When shopping, check the exact gluten-free variety and its current availability at your chosen shop.
Comparing chocolate sprinkles by sugar or sweetener content
You want to compare the nutritional information for different types of chocolate sprinkles without mistaking a choice based on sugar content for confirmation that a product is gluten-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that both products are labelled gluten-free. Then see whether you can buy your chosen rusks and which chocolate sprinkles best suit your other preferences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free ingredients | Look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles. Keep the portion separate from ordinary bread products when serving. | When someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I don’t want an uncertain topping or a bread crumb to end up on their treat; around 42% of consumers make this their top check. |
| Finding a crunchy base | Check whether the exact gluten-free rusks or toast are available at your chosen shop and make a suitable base for chocolate sprinkles. | Just before New Year’s Eve, I want to be able to pick up a suitable alternative without relying on a product I can’t order; this matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Taste and sugar | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the warnings on the packaging of products containing sweeteners. Check the gluten-free label separately, too. | When choosing chocolate sprinkles, I want to weigh up taste, sugar and sweeteners after checking they’re gluten-free; around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free
Jumbo lists wheat starch and wheat as an allergen for De Ruijter Hagelslag Mix Puur en Vanille. That applies to this variety, not every type of chocolate sprinkles from the brand.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour, and check the gluten-free label on the packaging you buy.
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Assuming that no wheat in the ingredients is confirmation enough
An ingredients list with no obvious wheat ingredient isn’t the same as an explicit gluten-free label. A brand’s gluten-free range doesn’t confirm that every individual product is gluten-free, either.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose chocolate sprinkles whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
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Preparing the treat next to ordinary rusks
According to the Voedingscentrum, avoiding contact with gluten is important for people with coeliac disease. Ordinary bread crumbs on a plate or knife could still come into contact with the products you’ve chosen separately.
Prepare the gluten-free portion first on a clean plate, use separate utensils and don’t crumble ordinary rusks over the gluten-free portion.
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Confusing lower sugar with gluten-free
Information about sugar or sweeteners doesn’t confirm whether chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free. Jumbo also lists maltitol in Céréal Hagelslag Puur and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
First check the gluten-free label on the exact variety. Then compare the sugar content per 100 g and read the information about sweeteners.
Brands to consider
Schär
Schär makes Zwieback, among other products: a crunchy, toast-like base for anyone looking to replace ordinary rusks.
- Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback, 175 g, as gluten- and wheat-free.
- You’ll still need to check separately that your chosen chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free.
Damhert
Damhert has a gluten-free range that includes 125 g rusks.
- The product name Damhert Glutenvrije beschuit makes it clear which variety you’re looking at.
- Albert Heijn’s product page listed these rusks as no longer in its range. Check current availability before adding them to your shopping list.
Céréal
Céréal is worth considering if you also want to compare chocolate sprinkles by sugar and sweetener content.
- Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugar per 100 g and maltitol for Céréal Hagelslag Puur.
- Céréal’s gluten-free range doesn’t confirm that these particular chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free. Check the current packaging; Jumbo also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
De Ruijter
With De Ruijter, the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles determines whether it’s the right choice.
- You can assess the ingredients and allergens of each specific variety separately.
- According to Jumbo, Hagelslag Mix Puur en Vanille contains wheat starch; don’t assume the same applies to all the other varieties.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products will appear soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles need to be gluten-free for someone with coeliac disease?
Yes. Check each product separately for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. When preparing and serving the food, also keep ordinary bread crumbs and shared utensils away from the gluten-free portion.
Why should you assess De Ruijter chocolate sprinkles by variety?
Because the ingredients vary between varieties: Jumbo lists wheat starch and wheat as an allergen for De Ruijter Hagelslag Mix Puur en Vanille. Don’t rely on the brand name instead of checking the packaging you’re buying.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that: according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If you eat gluten-free bread over a long period, check the label or ask the baker whether iodine-enriched baker’s salt has been used.