Who is this relevant to?

Travellers with coeliac disease

You’re looking for packaged rusks with an explicit gluten-free label and want to avoid contact with crumbs from regular rusks or bread while you’re on the go.

Travellers who shop ahead

You want to check before you set off that the rusks you want are available, and have a gluten-free alternative ready in case they aren’t.

Shoppers comparing labels

As well as checking for a gluten-free label, you compare other allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g. If the use of iodised salt matters to your choice, check this separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then compare anything else that matters for your trip, such as other allergens, availability and nutritional information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free labelling and contact with crumbs Check for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging, and keep the rusks separate from snacks containing gluten and shared spreads. With coeliac disease, I want to choose a snack labelled gluten-free and avoid contact with bread crumbs while travelling; this is the main concern for around 42% of consumers.
Availability and taking them with you Check availability shortly before you set off, and take a sealed pack or an alternative labelled gluten-free. If I’m relying on a particular type of rusk, I want to be able to buy it in advance and take it with me intact; around 33% of consumers prioritise this practical need.
Comparing labels Compare other allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g; check separately whether the label lists iodised salt if that matters to your choice. Anyone comparing several gluten-free products wants to know what else they contain and how their nutritional values differ; this is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a familiar rusk brand is gluten-free

    Bolletje lists wheat flour, wheat fibre and rye flour among the ingredients in Echte Beschuit. The brand name or product type doesn’t mean these rusks are suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging of the specific variety.

  • Relying on an old product page

    Product information and availability are two different things. The Jumbo pages consulted for Damhert Beschuiten and Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit stated that these products were no longer available online.

    Check availability shortly before you set off and, if necessary, choose another product with a gluten-free label on the packaging.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean ‘free from all allergens’. Jumbo’s product page for Damhert Beschuiten listed egg and milk as allergens.

    If you have other allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy, too.

  • Assuming the salt in rusks is iodised

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the type of product alone whether iodised salt has been used.

    Check the ingredients list if this information matters to your choice of product.

Brands and shops to explore

Schär

Schär makes a 175 g Zwieback rusk that Albert Heijn lists as gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn also lists this variety as wheat-free and lactose-free.
  • Check the other ingredients and allergens on the current packaging; lactose-free does not mean milk-free.

Damhert

Damhert makes a 125 g gluten-free rusk variety listed on a Jumbo product page.

  • The Jumbo page listed the ingredients and allergens for this specific variety.
  • The page listed egg and milk as allergens and stated that the product was no longer available online.

Albert Heijn

The supermarket lists product information for Schär Zwieback gluten-free rusks.

  • The product page gives you a specific variety to check for packaging and availability before you set off.
  • Check current in-store stock and the label on the pack you actually buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo has product pages for gluten-free rusks from Damhert and its own brand.

  • The pages can help you identify the specific products.
  • Both pages consulted stated that the product in question was no longer available online; check the current range.

PLUS

PLUS lists products such as crackers and crispbread in its gluten-free range.

  • A cracker or crispbread labelled gluten-free can make an alternative snack for your journey if you don’t choose rusks.
  • Crackers and crispbread aren’t rusks; check the packaging and allergens for each product.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Bolletje Echte Beschuit with me if I have coeliac disease?

Bolletje Echte Beschuit isn’t a gluten-free option: Bolletje lists wheat flour, wheat fibre and rye flour. If you have coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.

Are gluten-free rusks also free from milk and egg?

No, you can’t assume this from a ‘gluten-free’ label. The Jumbo page consulted for Damhert Beschuiten listed egg and milk as allergens; if you have other allergies, always check the label on the specific pack.

How can I avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten during a car journey?

Keep gluten-free rusks sealed and separate from snacks containing gluten and shared spreads. The Dutch Coeliac Association warns that crumbs from bread containing gluten can get onto gluten-free food.

Do gluten-free rusks automatically contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from ‘gluten-free’ or ‘rusks’. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; check the ingredients list if knowing whether the salt is iodised matters to your choice.