For someone with coeliac disease, the first thing to look for is an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging; ordinary toast, Melba toast and crackers are not automatically suitable. Then choose a flavour and texture that work well with a cup of coffee, check the other allergens and salt per portion, and serve the product without crumbs from ordinary bread. Don’t assume anything about the type of salt used based on Dutch origin or a gluten-free statement.
If you need to avoid gluten, the current packaging is your starting point. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the ‘gluten-free’ statement and the Crossed Grain symbol; when serving, take care to avoid bread crumbs too.
If you’re serving ordinary bread as well as gluten-free toast, you’ll need a separate crumb-free space and clean cutlery. That way, you’re not relying solely on what’s stated on the packaging.
A small piece of toast can go well with sweet or savoury toppings, while a seasoned cracker offers a different flavour. Ask beforehand whether a crisp, dry product is comfortable to eat, as this varies from person to person.
First, check for a gluten-free statement and avoid contact with bread crumbs. Then compare the texture, flavour and other information on the label for the person who’ll be eating it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served without crumbs | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Use a clean plate and separate cutlery. | When I’m serving someone with coeliac disease, I want a clearly identifiable gluten-free product that won’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. For around 50% of consumers, this reassurance comes first. |
| Texture, flavour and toppings | Check whether the product is plain or seasoned, and whether its crisp texture is comfortable to eat. | With coffee, I’m looking for a small piece of toast to go with sweet or savoury toppings, but it shouldn’t be unpleasantly hard or dry. Around 30% of consumers give this eating experience top priority. |
| Salt, fibre and other ingredients | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion; check the allergen and ingredient information separately. | If salt, fibre or another allergen is also a consideration, I want to know what’s in this particular toast or cracker. For around 20% of consumers, this label information matters most. |
Toast, Melba toast and crackers can contain gluten-containing cereals. So the type of product doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ statement or the Crossed Grain symbol.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that even a bread crumb can matter to someone with coeliac disease. Suitable packaging won’t prevent contact during serving.
Place the toast on a clean, crumb-free plate and use separate, clean cutlery for the toppings.
A gluten-free statement tells you nothing about allergens such as soya, egg or sesame. Salt content also varies between products: Jumbo lists 6.6 g of salt per 100 g for Gluten Free Bakery Holland Toastjes Italiaans Gekruid.
Read the allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen and compare the salt per 100 g as well as per portion served.
A gluten-free statement doesn’t tell you what type of salt is used in a piece of toast.
If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific packaging for a statement such as ‘iodised salt’.
Schär presents Zwieback as small gluten-free pieces of toast for sweet or savoury toppings.
Laurieri Scrocchi is a gluten-free salted cracker for a savoury coffee-table spread.
The Italian-seasoned gluten-free toast is an option if you’re looking for a bold, savoury flavour.
The seed crackers are an alternative if you don’t need the shape of a piece of toast.
This rice toast is a suitable product type for enjoying with coffee. Before serving it to someone with coeliac disease, check the current packaging for a gluten-free statement, and assess the allergens and texture separately.
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Rice toast for anyone who’d like to serve plain toast with coffee. If serving it to someone with coeliac disease, rely on the current packaging only if it explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
Pack size: 65 g. If you have other allergies, check the allergen information and make sure the crisp texture is comfortable to eat.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the statement ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the current packaging of the variety you’re buying for this statement.
Not based on the name ‘Melba toast’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that gluten is often found in bread and crispbread, so choose a variety whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
Use a clean, crumb-free plate and separate, clean cutlery for the toast and toppings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that a bread crumb can matter to someone with coeliac disease.
Yes. A gluten-free statement tells you nothing about other allergens: Albert Heijn lists soya for Laurieri Scrocchi, while Jumbo lists oats, egg and sesame for the seed crackers mentioned above. Always read the allergen information on the specific packaging.
No. The origin of the toast doesn’t confirm what type of salt is used in the specific product. If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for a statement such as ‘iodised salt’.
