If you have coeliac disease, first choose a product whose current packaging clearly says ‘gluten-free’, then check the ingredients and allergen information. Individually wrapped crackers can be handy for a single coffee break in your hotel room; with a larger bag, you’ll need to think about storing any leftovers once it’s opened. Gluten-free also doesn’t mean free from other allergens.
You want to check what you’ll be eating with your coffee before you set off, rather than having to rely on the toast served at the hotel breakfast. Choose a prepacked product with a clear gluten-free label and read the label on the pack you take with you.
You’re after something crunchy to enjoy with your coffee, with no toaster or preparation needed. Individually wrapped portions, such as the Schär Gluten-Free Crackers 6 x 35 g listed by Jumbo, let you open a single portion without opening the rest of the pack.
As well as gluten, you may also need to avoid ingredients such as soya or egg, or want a product that fits a vegan diet. Check the ingredients and allergen information separately: a gluten-free label won’t answer those other questions.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then compare portion sizes for your stay and see whether any other ingredients or allergens matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and read the ingredients list. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to be sure that the crunchy snack I choose is suitable for my gluten-free diet. For around 50% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare individually wrapped portions with a single bag, and decide whether you’re happy to take an opened pack with you. | For a coffee break in my hotel room, I don’t want to have to open a whole bag. Around 30% of consumers prioritise the convenience of portion sizes. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Read the current allergen information, even for a gluten-free product; check ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements if needed. | I also want to know whether the product suits my other allergies or vegan diet. For around 20% of consumers, these additional checks are the main concern. |
A product name such as toast or melba toast doesn’t tell you anything about its gluten content. According to the European Commission, the ‘gluten-free’ label can be used in the EU if the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging clearly says ‘gluten-free’ and check the ingredients too.
Albert Heijn says that Laurieri Scrocchi sea salt contains soya. Jumbo lists egg and oats in Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian-Seasoned Toasts, and says they may contain nuts and sesame, among other things.
Check the allergen information on the packaging against the ingredients you need to avoid; don’t rely on the gluten-free label alone.
If you only eat a small amount, the rest of a large bag will be left open. For the seasoned toasts, Jumbo advises storing them in a cool, dry place in a sealed pack.
Choose packaging that suits the number of portions you expect to eat during your stay, and reseal an opened bag according to the packaging instructions.
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. An older product description may therefore not match the packaging of the product you buy.
Before eating the product, read the label on the one you receive, including the allergen and best-before information.
These product ranges offer different types of gluten-free crackers or toasts. Check the packaging and current ingredients to find the option that suits your coffee break.
Schär offers a range of gluten-free crackers. Jumbo lists Schär Gluten-Free Crackers in a pack of 6 x 35 g.
Albert Heijn describes Laurieri Scrocchi sea salt as a gluten-free cracker made with soya and chickpea flour.
Jumbo lists Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian-Seasoned Toasts, a 100 g pack of seasoned toasts.
Not based on the product name alone. Check whether the packaging says ‘gluten-free’: according to the European Commission, in the EU this label means the food sold to consumers must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Yes, especially if you need to avoid allergens other than gluten. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed in the ingredients of prepacked foods, so always check the current label on your pack.
Yes. Ask about the ingredients and allergen information, and how the toast is served. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, hospitality businesses must also provide allergen information for unpackaged products. If the information isn’t clear enough for you to make a choice, you can rely on your own prepacked product with a label you can check.
Not necessarily. Albert Heijn describes Laurieri Scrocchi sea salt as gluten-free and free from milk and eggs, but also says it contains soya. Check the allergen information for each variety as well as any vegan labelling.
If you want to eat the toasts later, seal the bag as instructed on the packaging. For Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian-Seasoned Toasts, Jumbo advises storing them in a sealed pack in a cool, dry place. Individual portions mean you don’t have to open the whole pack for a single coffee break.
