Who is this relevant to?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

If a child with coeliac disease will be eating, you’ll need rusks clearly labelled gluten-free and a way to prevent contact with crumbs, toppings and serving equipment used for regular rusks.

Hosts who want to serve a separate alternative

If you don’t want to replace all the party food, you can set out a pre-packed alternative separately. Check that your chosen product is available before the party, and keep the toppings and serving equipment separate too.

Shoppers catering for additional allergies

If a child needs to avoid other ingredients as well as gluten, such as egg or milk, check the current ingredients and allergen information for both the rusks and each topping. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t cover those other allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for a gluten-free statement on the packaging, then think about how you can top and serve the rusks without them coming into contact with regular party food. Check availability and any other allergens separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Especially relevant if
Serving gluten-free food Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and plan to use clean, separate equipment for topping and serving. A child with coeliac disease will be eating, and I want to prevent regular rusks, crumbs or shared toppings from coming into contact with their food. For around 46% of consumers, gluten-free safety comes first.
Party planning Check the current product page or shop stock, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. I want to buy the rusks in good time and set them out separately, without having to look for a last-minute replacement. Around 27% of consumers prioritise practical planning.
Other allergens and ingredients Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the rusks and the toppings, especially if a child also needs to avoid egg or milk. There are other allergies to consider, and I want to know what’s in the rusks and toppings, and whether the child will eat the alternative. For around 27% of consumers, these additional ingredient checks matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing ‘wheat-free’ with ‘gluten-free’

    A wheat-free statement or an ingredients list that looks suitable is not a substitute for an explicit gluten-free statement when the rusks are intended for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check every new pack for the words ‘gluten-free’, and read the ingredients and allergen information too.

  • Topping gluten-free and regular rusks together

    Even gluten-free rusks can come into contact with crumbs or shared toppings from regular rusks while you’re preparing them.

    Keep the gluten-free pack separate until you’re ready to use it, and use a clean work surface and separate knives, plates and serving tongs.

  • Relying on an outdated product listing

    Jumbo’s product pages state that Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit 120 g and Damhert Nutrition Gluten-Free Rusks Biscottes 125 g are no longer available.

    Before the party, check the current product page or the stock at the shop where you plan to buy them.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    A gluten-free statement doesn’t mean a product is also free from egg, milk or other allergens. For example, Jumbo’s listing for Damhert Nutrition Gluten-Free Rusks mentions egg and milk.

    Ask which allergies you need to cater for, and check the labels on the rusks, spreads and all other toppings separately.

Brands and shops to consider

Schär

Albert Heijn’s product information lists Schär Zwieback gluten-free rusks 175 g as a specific rusk alternative.

  • Albert Heijn describes the Zwieback as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
  • Check the current packaging for other ingredients and allergens too; lactose-free doesn’t mean free from all milk components.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product page is a place to look up Schär Zwieback gluten-free rusks 175 g.

  • The page lists a specific gluten-free rusk product, so you can check the product information before buying.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. Check the packaging you receive as well.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a gluten-free product category, but its page for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit 120 g states that the product is no longer available.

  • The gluten-free category may help you find other party foods.
  • Don’t rely on the old listing for rusks; check a specific alternative and current availability.

Damhert

Jumbo’s product listing for Damhert Nutrition Gluten-Free Rusks Biscottes 125 g states that the product is no longer available.

  • The listing describes a gluten-free rusk option.
  • The same Jumbo listing mentions egg and milk as allergens. If you find another pack, always check its current label.

Bolletje

Bolletje Echte Beschuit is a regular rusk product, not a substitute for rusks explicitly labelled gluten-free for someone with coeliac disease.

  • Bolletje’s product information lists the ingredients and allergens, making it clear how the product differs from gluten-free rusks.
  • Bolletje Echte Beschuit contains wheat and rye; don’t serve it as a gluten-free alternative.

PLUS

PLUS has an online gluten-free category that includes crackers and bread products.

  • The category gives you a way to search for other gluten-free party foods.
  • If you’re choosing rusks, check the specific product packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ statement; crackers and rusks are different products.

Related products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on rusks?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, a product can be described as ‘gluten-free’ if it contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. If you’re buying for a child with coeliac disease, look for this explicit statement on the current packaging rather than relying on the product’s appearance or ingredients list alone.

Can I use regular rusks with gluten-free toppings?

Not for someone with coeliac disease if the rusks themselves contain gluten. Bolletje lists wheat and rye among the ingredients in Echte Beschuit; gluten-free toppings don’t change what the rusks are made of. Keep knives and toppings for gluten-free rusks separate from those used for regular rusks too.

Are gluten-free rusks also suitable for someone with a milk or egg allergy?

You can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ statement. If someone has a milk or egg allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific rusks and their toppings. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label.

How can I check whether the rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients on the pack you plan to buy; ‘gluten-free’ tells you nothing about the type of salt used. Overheid.nl describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt, but that doesn’t confirm that it’s used in every gluten-free rusk product.