People serving someone with coeliac disease
Check that both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles are clearly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society also warns that crumbs can get into a gluten-free portion via shared kitchen utensils.
Who is this important for?
Fans of the traditional rusk-and-sprinkles pairing
If you want to serve rusks with chocolate sprinkles alongside pea soup, the type of product matters: gluten-free bread is not the same as rusks. Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks.
Households serving ordinary products too
Set out clean utensils and a clean serving area for the gluten-free portion. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, a knife can transfer gluten-containing crumbs to a shared butter or spread tub.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check that both the rusks and chocolate sprinkles are labelled gluten-free, and take care to avoid cross-contamination from crumbs. Then consider which product format, other allergens and availability matter for your occasion.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free options | Look for a clear gluten-free label on both products’ current packaging and check the allergen information. | If I’m serving someone with coeliac disease, I want both products to be labelled gluten-free and to make sure no crumbs from ordinary rusks get onto their portion. This is the top priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Rusk format | Check that the product is a rusk if you want to stick with that format; gluten-free bread makes for a different eating occasion. | I want to serve the familiar rusk with chocolate sprinkles alongside pea soup, not a slice of bread with the same topping. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the rusk format. |
| Other allergens | Check the allergen information too: the pure chocolate sprinkles from Venz and De Ruijter described by Albert Heijn contain milk and soya. | If there are other ingredients I need to watch out for besides gluten, I want to be able to check both the rusks and the topping separately. This is the main concern for around 15% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check current stock before your meal and, if necessary, choose an alternative that is separately labelled gluten-free. | If I’m planning a pea soup day, I want to know whether I can buy my chosen rusks in time; otherwise, I’ll need to change how I serve them. This practical consideration matters most to around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming that no wheat in the ingredients means gluten-free
The ingredients for the pure chocolate sprinkle varieties from Venz and De Ruijter, as listed by Albert Heijn, do not include wheat. However, that does not confirm that they are gluten-free. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ must contain less than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
Check the current packaging of the exact chocolate sprinkle variety you want to serve for a gluten-free label.
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Preparing a gluten-free rusk on a shared work surface
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, gluten-containing crumbs can get into a shared tub of spread on a knife that has already been used.
Prepare the gluten-free portion using clean utensils, and don’t put a knife used on ordinary rusks back into the spread tub.
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Assuming all chocolate sprinkles from one brand are the same
Albert Heijn lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Hagelfeest and includes wheat and gluten-containing cereals in its allergen information. This differs from the ingredients shown for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur.
Read the packaging for the exact variety; don’t base your choice on the brand name alone.
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Assuming a product page confirms that an item is in stock
On the product pages for Damhert Nutrition Glutenvrij Beschuiten Biscottes and Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit, Jumbo stated that these products were no longer in its online range.
Check current in-store or online stock before your pea soup day, and keep gluten-free bread or a suitable cracker as a back-up if needed.
Brands to consider
Schär
Schär offers both rusks labelled gluten-free and gluten-free bread for a different product format.
- Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free rusks.
- According to Jumbo’s product page, Schär Meesterbakker Vital is bread, not rusks; its ingredients include iodised salt.
Damhert
Damhert Nutrition Glutenvrij Beschuiten Biscottes is a rusk product worth searching for by name if you’re looking for an alternative to ordinary rusks.
- Jumbo’s product page labels these rusks gluten-free.
- The product information lists egg and milk; Jumbo stated that the product was no longer in its online range. Check current availability.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit 120 g is a specific own-brand product name to look for if you’re searching for gluten-free rusks.
- Jumbo stated on the product page that these rusks were no longer in its online range. Check current stock before relying on them.
Venz en De Ruijter
Check the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles separately from your choice of gluten-free rusks.
- The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for Venz Hagelslag puur and De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur do not include wheat.
- These ingredients lists do not confirm that the pure varieties are gluten-free; they list milk and soya. De Ruijter Hagelfeest also lists wheat starch.
Joybuy products
Related products will appear here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate sprinkles with no wheat in the ingredients suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
You can’t tell from the ingredients list alone: check whether the exact variety of chocolate sprinkles is labelled gluten-free. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, a product can be called ‘gluten-free’ if it contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the allergen information on the current packaging too.
How can I stop gluten-containing crumbs getting onto gluten-free rusks?
Prepare the gluten-free portion with a clean knife on a clean surface, and use spread that is free from crumbs from ordinary rusks. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that a knife used earlier can leave gluten-containing crumbs in a shared tub.
Does all gluten-free rusk contain iodine because of Dutch baker’s salt?
No, that does not follow from the Dutch rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present via baker’s salt in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products; check the ingredients list for a specific product. For example, Jumbo lists iodised salt in Schär Meesterbakker Vital, which is a bread product.
Can I use gluten-free bread if I can’t buy gluten-free rusks?
Yes, if you’re happy with a different product format and the bread is clearly labelled gluten-free. Jumbo describes Schär Meesterbakker Vital as gluten-free bread, but bread doesn’t have the same dry, crisp texture as rusks for chocolate sprinkles. Check the packaging for any other allergens too.