Who are you choosing for?

A guest with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and want to avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs when preparing or serving it. The shape of the treat comes second.

Guests who want to serve traditional rusks with aniseed sprinkles

You want to use the familiar crunchy rusk, but need a gluten-free option if a guest has to avoid gluten.

A host looking for a soft base

You’d rather choose a gluten-free slice of bread or a roll if a soft texture is more appealing than a crisp rusk.

What should you look for when buying?

If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check for the ‘gluten-free’ label first. Then choose between crunchy rusks and soft bread, and keep ordinary bread crumbs away when preparing the topping.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving gluten-free Check the packaging for ‘gluten-free’ and use clean, separate serving utensils. Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this label is only permitted when the product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If I’m serving someone with coeliac disease, I want a gluten-free base that hasn’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a gluten-free option and crumb-free preparation.
Rusk shape Look specifically for gluten-free rusks if the crunchy shape matters; white bread is still a soft alternative. When guests visit a new baby, I want to serve aniseed sprinkles on the familiar crunchy rusk, not on a slice of bread. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this shape.
Availability Check the current online or in-store availability of your chosen rusks, and consider in advance whether soft gluten-free bread would be a suitable alternative. If my chosen rusks aren’t available, I want time to choose another shop or a suitable replacement. Availability is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients Compare the current labels for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information; check the ingredients list for iodised salt. I want to know what’s in the base for the treat, especially if I’m also watching out for other allergens or iodised salt. Ingredients are the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking gluten-free white bread for rusks

    A soft slice of bread gives rusks with aniseed sprinkles a different shape and texture from crunchy rusks.

    Decide which texture you want to serve first, then look for the corresponding gluten-free product.

  • Counting on rusks that are no longer available

    Jumbo lists its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit as no longer available; Albert Heijn lists Damhert Glutenvrije beschuit as discontinued.

    Check the current availability or ask the shop about the product before you rely on it.

    A last-minute replacement may mean an extra trip to the shops.

  • Relying only on the online product name

    For someone with coeliac disease, it’s not just the product you choose that matters: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms.

    Read the packaging of the product you buy, and use a clean plate and knife. Make sure butter and other toppings are also kept free from ordinary bread crumbs.

  • Expecting all gluten-free bread to contain iodised salt

    Whether a product contains iodised salt depends on the specific product; it doesn’t automatically follow from the name ‘gluten-free bread’.

    Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose. Don’t use iodised salt as an indication that a product is gluten-free.

Relevant brands and ranges

Schär

The supermarkets mentioned stock both Schär gluten-free Zwieback rusks and soft gluten-free white bread.

  • Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks; their shape works well with aniseed sprinkles.
  • Meesterbakker Classic is bread, not rusks. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you choose.

AH Glutenvrij

This Albert Heijn range includes several types of gluten-free bread and rolls.

  • White rolls and white bread rolls offer a soft base when you don’t need rusks.
  • Don’t choose based on the range name alone: check the product type and the label on the packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s gluten-free range includes 500 g white bread.

  • The white bread is a soft alternative to rusks.
  • Jumbo lists its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit 120 g as no longer available; check current availability if you specifically want rusks.

PLUS

PLUS offers gluten-free bread options, including PLUS Wit glutenvrij.

  • PLUS describes PLUS Wit glutenvrij as gluten-free bread and lists iodised salt among the ingredients.
  • It’s bread, not rusks. The product contains soya and may contain traces of oats, egg, milk and nuts, among other things; check the current packaging.

Dirk

Dirk lists several gluten-free bread products from Schär, including Meisterbackers Classic.

  • This gives you a bread option if you’d prefer to serve a soft base.
  • Check separately whether gluten-free rusks are available if the traditional shape matters.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free options among its rolls and bakery products.

  • A gluten-free roll can provide a soft base when you don’t need rusks.
  • Don’t assume that ordinary rusks are gluten-free; check the label on the specific product.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use ordinary white bread if a guest has coeliac disease?

Only serve that guest bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this label may only be used when the product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. You should also avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs when serving it.

When should I choose gluten-free rusks instead of gluten-free white bread?

Choose gluten-free rusks if you want to keep the crunchy rusk shape for aniseed sprinkles. Gluten-free white bread is a good choice if you’d rather serve a soft base, but it doesn’t have the same shape or texture.

How can I keep rusks with aniseed sprinkles free from ordinary bread crumbs?

Use a clean plate and knife, and keep the gluten-free rusks separate from ordinary bread products. Also make sure that butter, aniseed sprinkles and other toppings don’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.

Does all gluten-free bread contain iodine because of Dutch baker’s salt?

No. Check the ingredients list of the specific bread to see whether iodised salt is included. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be added to bread and other bakery products via baker’s salt, at a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This rule doesn’t mean that all bread contains iodised salt.

Why should I check the label again when I buy the product?

The packaging of the product you’re taking home will show the current ‘gluten-free’ label, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information. This also matters if you’re avoiding other allergens, such as soya, as well as gluten.