Who is this relevant to?

New-baby visit with someone who has coeliac disease

You want to be able to offer the treat to someone with coeliac disease too. So check the current label on every edible component, not just the rusk.

Host looking to put together one festive platter

You’re looking for rusk with recognisable, festive sprinkles for your guests, without assuming that ordinary sprinkles are gluten-free.

Shopper with additional allergen requirements

Egg or oats may also need to be considered alongside gluten. In that case, read the full ingredients and allergen information, and bear the shelf life in mind if you’re buying fresh rusk.

What should you look for when buying?

Start by checking that both the rusk and the sprinkles are labelled gluten-free. Then choose the presentation you want and check that any additional allergens and the shelf life suit the date of your visit.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
The complete treat Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging of both the rusk and the sprinkles, and read the allergen information. If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to choose both the rusk and the sprinkles carefully. For around 42% of consumers, making the whole treat gluten-free comes first.
Festive presentation Check the colour and intended use of the sprinkles; an alternative doesn’t have to look like traditional sprinkles. For a new-baby visit, I want to be able to serve a festive rusk, even if the sprinkles are different colours. Around 33% of consumers put presentation first.
Additional allergens and planning Read the full ingredients and allergen list, and make sure a short shelf life fits the date of your visit. If I also need to consider egg or oats, or order the rusk in advance, I want to know what’s in it and how long it keeps. These additional requirements come first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Pairing gluten-free rusk with ordinary sprinkles

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Feestmuisjes contains wheat starch; the allergen information lists cereals containing gluten and wheat. A gluten-free rusk won’t change that.

    Before serving, check the current packaging for the rusk, any spread and the sprinkles separately.

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    Yara's Glutenvrij Bakkerij describes its rusk as free from gluten, milk and soya, among other things, but also lists oats and egg as allergens.

    If you need to consider additional allergens, read the full ingredients and allergen list for the product you’ve chosen.

  • Choosing sprinkles by colour alone

    Meneer Koekepeer describes Koekepeertjes as gluten-free, but also says they’re made in a factory that processes products containing gluten. The colour tells you nothing about this product information.

    Check the current label and any warnings on the packaging for the version you’ve chosen.

  • Using iodine information as an indicator of gluten-free status

    The Government Gazette describes an agreement to encourage the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes. Information about iodine doesn’t tell you whether a rusk is gluten-free.

    To make that choice, check the gluten-free label and allergen information for the specific product.

Brands to consider

Schär

Albert Heijn describes Schär Zwieback as gluten- and wheat-free rusk and lists the pack size as 175 g.

  • The product information lists the ingredients and nutritional details for this rusk variety.
  • The label on the rusk doesn’t automatically apply to the sprinkles or other additions, so check their current labels too.

Yara's Glutenvrij Bakkerij

Yara's Glutenvrij Bakkerij says its rusk, sold in packs of four, is free from gluten, lactose, milk, soya and wheat.

  • The supplier lists the ingredients and says the rusk keeps for around three days when stored as directed.
  • The allergen information lists oats and egg; bear the stated shelf life in mind when ordering.

Meneer Koekepeer

Meneer Koekepeer describes Koekepeertjes as gluten-free, aniseed-flavoured sprinkles for rusk.

  • These sprinkles are made for rusk and come in olive, rust and ochre shades.
  • The supplier says they’re made in a factory that also processes products containing gluten; check the current packaging and any warnings.

Stadsgenootjes

Stadsgenootjes offers birth sprinkles in city-inspired and festive colours, and describes its product as gluten-free.

  • The choice of colours makes them a good fit for a festive treat.
  • Before buying, check the ingredients, allergen information and label on the packaging for the version you’ve chosen.

Products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a product be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label means the final product must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. When serving rusks with sprinkles, check the current packaging for each component separately. An ingredient that doesn’t appear to contain gluten on its own is no substitute for the product being labelled accordingly.

Are De Ruijter Feestmuisjes gluten-free?

Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat starch in De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and identifies cereals containing gluten and wheat as allergens. So don’t choose them as gluten-free sprinkles for this treat.

Can I buy the rusk well in advance of the new-baby visit?

That depends on the shelf life of the rusk you choose. Yara's Glutenvrij Bakkerij says its rusk keeps for around three days when stored as directed. Check the packaging when you buy it and plan your purchase around the date of your visit.

Does iodised baker’s salt tell me anything about whether a product is gluten-free?

No. Information about iodine doesn’t indicate whether a product is gluten-free. The Government Gazette describes an agreement to encourage the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes. For this treat, check the gluten-free label and allergen information for both the rusk and the sprinkles.