Who is this relevant to?

A guest with coeliac disease

For this guest, ordinary rusks are not an alternative to a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check the label and ingredients on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.

Host of a mixed Sinterklaas celebration

If you’re serving both rusks and Sinterklaas treats, assess each product separately. Gluten-free rusks don’t automatically make kruidnoten, speculaas or toppings suitable for the same guest.

Shopper looking to buy everything at one supermarket

A specific product page can help you choose, but check the current packaging before buying and make sure the rusks are available at your chosen shop.

What should you look for when choosing?

If someone needs to eat gluten-free on Sinterklaas Eve because of coeliac disease, start by checking the label on the rusks. Then look at the other products on the table and consider the practicalities of serving and buying them.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Gluten-free label Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging and read the ingredients. When I buy rusks for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the type of product or the name of a shop. For around 46% of consumers, this assurance that the product is gluten-free comes first.
The whole festive table Check toppings and Sinterklaas products separately for gluten and any allergens relevant to your guest. I want my guest to be able to choose from the other products on the table too, without having to make assumptions about their ingredients. For around 27% of consumers, getting this right is their main concern.
Serving Check the pack size and choose toppings that you’ve checked separately. Once I’ve settled on a gluten-free option, I want to know whether the quantity of rusks is right for what I’m serving. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.
Availability Check shortly before buying whether the rusks are available at your chosen shop. I want to do my shopping in one place and not rely on an old product page. For around 9% of consumers, current availability is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary rusks are gluten-free

    The shape, a wholemeal label or where a product sits on the shelf doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. The regular rusk range listed by ALDI includes Bolletje Echte Beschuit, which isn’t labelled gluten-free on that overview page.

    Choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label and check the current packaging.

  • Using an old product page as proof that an item is available

    The Jumbo pages we checked for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit and Damhert rusks said that these products were no longer available online. So an existing page isn’t enough to plan your shopping around.

    Check shortly before buying whether your chosen product is available at your shop.

  • Only reading the rusk label

    Toppings, kruidnoten and speculaas each have their own ingredients. Gluten-free rusks don’t change the ingredients of the products you serve alongside them.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on each pack, and check anything relevant to your guest.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples can help you find a specific product, but a brand or shop name is no substitute for checking the packaging.

Schär

Albert Heijn and PLUS list Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks.

  • The product pages describe Zwieback as gluten-free and wheat-free.
  • Before serving, check the current packaging and any other allergens relevant to your guest.

Albert Heijn

The supermarket lists Schär Zwieback and also has a separate guide to gluten-free Sinterklaas treats.

  • The guide includes gluten-free kruidnoten and speculaas chunks.
  • Check the current packaging of the rusks and each festive product separately.

PLUS

PLUS lists Schär Zwieback in a 175 g pack as part of its gluten-free range.

  • Alongside the gluten-free label, the product page lists ingredients and nutritional information.
  • Check that the pack is available at your shop and that the information still matches the label.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

The page we checked for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit, 120 g, said that the product was no longer available online.

  • The product name gives you a specific rusk to ask about.
  • Don’t assume it’s available without checking with your chosen shop.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about its gluten-free range, but a range guide isn’t a product label for rusks.

  • The range information can be a useful starting point when looking for gluten-free groceries.
  • If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, only choose rusks when the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can someone with coeliac disease eat ordinary rusks?

Don’t choose ordinary rusks as a gluten-free alternative unless the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. A description such as ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease, so check the current packaging.

Which gluten-free rusks do Albert Heijn and PLUS list?

Both supermarkets list Schär Zwieback as gluten-free rusks; PLUS specifies a 175 g pack. When buying, check the current product information and packaging, and make sure it’s available at your shop.

Should I check for allergens other than gluten?

Yes. If other allergens are relevant to your guest, check every product you serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on labels, so check the labels on toppings and Sinterklaas treats too.