People with coeliac disease who want to eat rusks
You’re looking for a product that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free. ‘Wheat-free’ or a general ‘free from’ claim isn’t a substitute, so check the current allergen information too.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organic shoppers who need gluten-free products
You want to be able to check that the same product meets both requirements. A gluten-free label on its own doesn’t confirm that the rusks, or an alternative, are organically certified.
People who are also considering a crunchy alternative
A cracker could work if you don’t need the rusk shape. Check the gluten-free and organic designations, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for that specific cracker.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the product must be explicitly labelled gluten-free and whether a cracker would work for you instead of rusks. Then check the organic designation and nutritional information on the packaging of the product you buy.
Gluten-free rusks
A good choice if: you specifically want rusks and the packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
What to bear in mind: Albert Heijn lists Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks. Check separately for an organic designation if you need one.
Organic gluten-free crackers
A good choice if: you’re looking for something crunchy and don’t need it to be in rusk form.
What to bear in mind: According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers carry both designations, but they’re still crackers. Check the ingredients and allergens too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free | Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the current allergen information. Glutenvrij.nl associates this label with less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on ‘wheat-free’ alone. Around 40% of consumers put this assurance that a product is gluten-free first. |
| Organic | Check the organic product designation, the EU organic logo and the inspection code on the specific product. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used for certified organic products. | When I shop organically, my gluten-free product must also meet this separate requirement. For around 30% of consumers, organic certification is the next highest priority. |
| Product type | Decide whether a cracker would suit the way you want to eat the product instead of rusks. Check the current product listing before relying on an item you’ve seen before. | I want something crunchy for breakfast or lunch, but a cracker doesn’t always match what I expect from rusks. Around 20% of consumers base their choice mainly on the product type. |
| Nutritional information | Compare salt and fibre per 100 g. If you have questions about iodine in bread-like products, check whether baker’s salt has been used too; according to Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it. | If I change what I eat, I want to know how the nutritional value of my usual product compares with the alternative. For around 10% of consumers, this information matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wheat-free’ means ‘gluten-free’
For someone with coeliac disease, these labels don’t mean the same thing. Glutenvrij.nl explains that the ‘gluten-free’ label requires less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.
Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label and read the current allergen information on the packaging.
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Assuming gluten-free also means organic
The two designations mean different things. Gluten-free rusks aren’t automatically an organic product.
If you’re buying organic, also check the organic designation, EU organic logo and inspection code on the same product.
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Relying on a range you saw before
A product page may still be available even though the item is no longer stocked. Albert Heijn’s page for Damhert Glutenvrije beschuit says ‘Discontinued’.
Check the current product listing before buying, and check the packaging again when it arrives, especially the ingredients and allergens.
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Taking iodine from baker’s salt for granted
According to Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume it has been used just from the type of product.
Check the label or ask if the use of baker’s salt is relevant to your dietary choices.
Brands worth considering
Schär
Albert Heijn lists Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks.
- The product listing describes the item as gluten- and wheat-free. The nutritional information shows 8,1 g of fibre and 1,8 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the packaging separately for an organic designation if organic certification is a requirement for you.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers sesam & chiazaad as both gluten-free and organic.
- The product listing shows both designations, along with an EU organic logo and a Skal inspection reference.
- This product is a cracker, not a rusk. Read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Damhert
Albert Heijn has a product page for 125 g of Damhert Glutenvrije beschuit.
- The product page says ‘Discontinued’. Check current availability before considering this item.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does gluten-free automatically mean organic?
No. Check both designations separately on the same product. The gluten-free label relates to the gluten content; according to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is intended for certified organic products.
Is ‘wheat-free’ enough if I need gluten-free rusks?
No. Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the current allergen information. Glutenvrij.nl associates this label with less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product.
What can I choose if I want something organic and gluten-free, but crunchy too?
A cracker could be an alternative if you don’t need rusks. Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers with both designations. Check the current packaging and allergen information for that product too.
Are Dutch bakers required to use baker’s salt?
No. According to Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask if you want to know whether it has been used in a specific bread-like product.
How should I store gluten-free rusks or crackers?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. Albert Heijn’s product listings recommend keeping Schär Zwieback and AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers in a cool, dry place. For the crackers, it also advises closing the packaging securely after use.