Someone with coeliac disease who eats gluten-free
You’re looking for rusks explicitly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent the portion coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary rusks or bread when it’s served.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone serving pea soup with a mix of gluten-free and ordinary foods
You’re putting both ordinary and gluten-free products on the table. The Dutch Coeliac Society says this means keeping portions separate and using clean hands, work surfaces and utensils.
Anyone who regularly uses bread alternatives
You don’t want to assume that gluten-free rusks contain iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the label to see whether baker’s salt is used.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by checking for a gluten-free label and serving the food separately. Then check that you’re buying rusks specifically, and whether baker’s salt matters to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and contact with crumbs | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current label. Keep the portion separate when serving and use clean utensils. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to serve rusks with my soup without them coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. For around 56% of consumers, gluten-free suitability is the top priority. |
| Rusks to serve with soup | Check that the product is actually rusks, rather than, for example, crackers or another bread product. | I want to serve rusks with my soup, not find that I’ve bought a different type of bread alternative. Around 22% of consumers prioritise this product type. |
| Baker’s salt when replacing bread | Read the ingredients if you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used; don’t assume it based on the product category. | If I regularly replace bread with other products, I don’t want to rely on rusks as a source of iodine without checking. For around 22% of consumers, this dietary consideration is a priority. |
Common mistakes
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Checking only the ingredients list
A short ingredients list is no substitute for an explicit gluten-free label. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may only be used if the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging and check the current label every time you buy the product. Also check for the Crossed Grain symbol if it matters to your choice.
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Serving ordinary and gluten-free rusks together
The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via hands, knives and work surfaces.
Put the gluten-free rusks in a separate, clean place and use clean utensils. Keep ordinary rusks away from the gluten-free packet and serving dish.
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Assuming rusks contain iodine because of their name
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the use of baker’s salt is not compulsory. Albert Heijn lists ‘salt’ for Schär Zwieback, but this doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used.
Check the ingredients if baker’s salt matters to your choice; don’t assume a product provides iodine simply because it belongs to a particular category.
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Assuming an old product listing means it’s still available to buy
Jumbo says its 120 g Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit is no longer part of its online range. So an existing product page doesn’t necessarily mean you can order the item there.
Check current availability with the shop where you do your food shopping, and read the label on the pack you actually buy.
Brands to consider
Schär
A brand with a gluten-free rusk option: Albert Heijn lists 175 g of Schär Zwieback gluten-free rusks.
- Albert Heijn’s product listing describes the product as gluten- and wheat-free.
- The listing says ‘salt’, but doesn’t confirm that iodised baker’s salt has been used. Check the pack for the current ingredients information.
Albert Heijn Vrij Van
A supermarket own-label range within Albert Heijn’s gluten-free selection, worth considering if you’re choosing several products for the same meal.
- Albert Heijn announced an expansion of its gluten-free range in January 2026.
- That announcement doesn’t confirm that the own-label range includes gluten-free rusks. Check the product category and label for each item.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
An own-label range to check product by product if you’re looking for gluten-free rusks locally.
- Jumbo says its 120 g Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit is no longer part of its online range. If you find a pack in store, check that it’s currently labelled gluten-free.
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Frequently asked questions
When can rusks be labelled ‘gluten-free’?
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may only be stated if the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. If you’re choosing for someone with coeliac disease, don’t rely solely on the absence of wheat from the ingredients list.
Is a gluten-free pack enough if ordinary rusks are also on the table?
No. Gluten-free rusks must also be kept separate from ordinary rusks when serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs can cause cross-contamination, so use clean hands, a clean surface and separate utensils.
Do gluten-free rusks automatically contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the product name or the gluten-free label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt is not compulsory; Albert Heijn lists only ‘salt’ for Schär Zwieback. Check the ingredients if baker’s salt matters to your choice.
Are rusks containing oats automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Check for an explicit gluten-free label even on rusks containing oats. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that a small number of people with coeliac disease may also react to pure oats.