Who is this choice relevant to?

Coffee drinkers with coeliac disease

You’re looking for something crunchy to enjoy with your coffee, and your first check is whether the packaging says ‘gluten-free’. The shape of the toast or the presence of rice is not enough on its own.

Shoppers avoiding other allergens too

As well as gluten, you may need to check for egg, sesame, soya or nuts, for example. Gluten-free toast can contain these ingredients or carry a warning about possible traces.

People who often replace bread

If you regularly eat toast or crackers instead of bread, check whether baker’s salt is listed on the label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory; consider iodine in the context of your overall diet.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for a ‘gluten-free’ statement on the packaging. Then compare the allergens and ingredients. Salt and baker’s salt are particularly relevant if you eat the toast regularly or use it instead of bread.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free for coeliac disease Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ statement on the current packaging. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, this means the product for the final consumer must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a brand name, the shape of the toast or a rice ingredient. Around 50% of consumers say an explicit ‘gluten-free’ statement is their main reason for buying.
Other allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information, and check for any warnings about possible traces of ingredients such as sesame, soya or nuts. If I also need to avoid another allergen, that will influence which gluten-free product I can choose. For around 30% of consumers, these additional ingredients and allergens are the main reason for comparing different options.
Using it instead of bread Compare portion sizes and salt content per 100 g. If you regularly use it instead of bread, also check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If toast often replaces bread in my diet, I want to know how it fits into my usual eating habits. Around 20% of consumers give this everyday use, including salt and baker’s salt, the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking regular toast for the gluten-free version

    According to Melba, Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat and barley. Melba Rice Toast Naturel is a different product, which the manufacturer describes as gluten-free.

    Compare the full product name and read the current packaging, even if you already know the brand.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    Melba lists possible traces of sesame and soya for Rice Toast Naturel. The Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid described by Jumbo contains oats and egg, and may also contain nuts and sesame, among other things.

    If you have additional allergies, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces.

  • Using toast instead of bread without reading the rest of the label

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is not compulsory. So you can’t tell from the word ‘toast’ whether a product has been made with baker’s salt.

    If you eat it regularly, check the ingredients and compare the salt content per 100 g with the portion you eat.

  • Assuming the gluten-free range will always be available

    A range page does not guarantee that a specific toast product is in stock. Lidl said that its additional gluten-free products were not available at the time.

    Check the latest product information and packaging before choosing a supermarket option for your coffee break.

Brands to consider

Melba / Van der Meulen

Worth considering if you’re looking for a specific type of toast and want to compare options from the same brand.

  • Melba describes Rice Toast Naturel as gluten-free and states that it is certified by the Dutch Coeliac Association.
  • According to the manufacturer, regular Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat and barley. For Rice Toast Naturel, Melba lists possible traces of sesame and soya.

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’re also thinking about gluten-free crackers, bread or rolls to enjoy with your coffee.

  • Albert Heijn’s gluten-free range includes products such as AH Glutenvrij Crackers zaden, gluten-free bread and rolls.
  • Check the packaging of each product you choose. An overview of a range doesn’t tell you which other allergens an individual product contains.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to compare gluten-free toast with gluten-free crackers as an alternative.

  • Jumbo describes Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid as being made with gluten-free oat flour. It also lists gluten-free crackers from Jumbo Lekker Vrij.
  • The toast products described contain egg and may also contain nuts and sesame, among other things. Check the label of the product you choose.

Lidl

Worth checking for its current gluten-free range, but don’t assume a particular toast option will always be available without checking the product.

  • Lidl has a Dutch range page for gluten-free products.
  • Lidl said its additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. Check the availability and packaging of the specific product you’re interested in.

Bolletje

Worth considering if you’re looking at crackers, rusks and toast-like products, as long as you check each option individually.

  • Bolletje’s product range includes crackers, rusks and crispbread, among other products.
  • These product categories don’t confirm that a particular toast product is gluten-free. Look for an explicit statement on the packaging.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start when looking for toast to enjoy with coffee if I have coeliac disease?

Start by checking for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ statement on the current packaging. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, this statement may be used if the product for the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also read the ingredients and check for other allergens if they’re relevant to you.

Is regular Melba Toast the same as Melba Rice Toast?

No, they’re different products. According to Melba, Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat and barley, while the manufacturer describes Rice Toast Naturel as gluten-free. Check the full product name and packaging when you buy it.

Why should I check for other allergens in gluten-free toast?

A ‘gluten-free’ statement doesn’t mean the toast is free from egg, sesame, soya or nuts. Melba lists possible traces of sesame and soya for Rice Toast Naturel. The Gluten Free Bakery Holland toast products described by Jumbo contain egg and may also contain nuts and sesame, among other things.

Does gluten-free toast always contain baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product category. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory. Check the label to see whether it has been used if you regularly eat toast instead of bread.

How should I store gluten-free toast once it’s opened?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. For Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid, Jumbo says to store the product in a sealed pack in a cool, dry place.