Who is this choice relevant for?

Parents of a toddler with coeliac disease

For them, the gluten-free label on the current packaging comes first. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes a lifelong gluten-free diet as the treatment for coeliac disease.

Parents looking for an alternative to bread

If you want to serve rusks or toast at breakfast, you can compare the nutritional information and see how the product fits alongside other breakfast foods. For children aged 1 to 3, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as fibre-rich options.

Parents packing breakfast for nursery or school

As well as checking the product label, it’s important to follow the nursery or school’s arrangements, for example regarding food brought from home and sharing allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free suitability Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food labelled gluten-free may contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. If my toddler has coeliac disease, I don’t want to mistake ordinary wheat rusks for a gluten-free product; around 50% of consumers put confirmed gluten-free suitability first.
Putting breakfast together Compare the fibre and salt per 100 g, and consider how the rusks fit alongside other breakfast foods. I want rusks to have a place at breakfast without treating them as a replacement for all other foods; around 30% of consumers give this consideration top priority.
Packing and checking arrangements Read the label on the pack you choose and ask about the nursery or school’s arrangements for food brought from home. When I pack breakfast, I want to know in advance what information the nursery or school needs; for around 20% of consumers, these practical arrangements are the main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all rusks are gluten-free

    Ordinary wheat-based rusks are not a substitute for gluten-free rusks if your child has coeliac disease.

    If gluten needs to be avoided, choose a product labelled gluten-free and check the label on the pack you buy.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from all allergens

    A gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. For example, Schär states that Zwieback may contain traces of soya.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information for anything relevant to your child. Also compare the nutritional information per 100 g when choosing breakfast foods.

  • Treating rusks as a complete breakfast

    The nutritional content of one crunchy product doesn’t tell you how varied the whole breakfast is. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also discusses other bread and breakfast foods for toddlers.

    Consider what other foods to include at breakfast, and keep the size of the pieces in mind when serving them.

  • Assuming every bread product contains baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. If your child eats little bread, their iodine intake may therefore need attention.

    Check the label of the bread or rusk product you choose to see whether baker’s salt is listed. If your child follows a restricted diet for a long time, speak to a dietitian if needed.

Brands to compare

Schär

Schär describes Zwieback as gluten-free toast suitable for occasions such as breakfast.

  • According to Schär’s product information, Zwieback contains 8,1 g of fibre and 1,8 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, including the possible traces of soya listed by Schär.

Damhert

Damhert’s range includes gluten-free rusks.

  • Jumbo lists Damhert Nutrition Glutenvrij Beschuiten Biscottes 125 g as containing 2,0 g of fibre and 1,0 g of salt per 100 g.
  • For information about other allergens, check the ingredients and allergen details on the current packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

The range includes Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Beschuit 120 g.

  • The product name makes it clear which type of rusk to look for when comparing options.
  • Check the current packaging for the gluten-free label, other allergens and nutritional information.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does my toddler need to eat gluten-free rusks?

No, not unless there’s a reason to avoid gluten. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that people who do not have a condition requiring it do not need to eat gluten-free. If your child has coeliac disease or has been advised by a healthcare professional to follow a gluten-free diet, check the gluten-free label on the product you choose.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on packaging?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. The label does not mean that the product is free from other allergens, so check the allergen information too.

Can gluten-free rusks replace bread at breakfast?

Rusks can be part of breakfast, but they are not automatically nutritionally equivalent to bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that bread provides children aged 1 to 3 with nutrients including fibre and iodine. Compare the nutritional information for the product you choose and consider breakfast as part of your child’s overall diet.

Why should I check whether rusks contain baker’s salt?

Baker’s salt can be relevant to iodine intake, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use it. Check the label of the specific bread or rusk product to see whether baker’s salt is listed, especially if your child eats little bread.