Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosting someone with coeliac disease

You want to prepare a separate snack with a clear gluten-free statement on both the base and the topping. Keep the portions separate from regular rusks while preparing and serving them, too.

A fan of rusk with chocolate sprinkles

You’re looking for a crisp base that works with this familiar snack. Schär describes its Zwieback as gluten-free toast that can be served with sweet toppings, among other things; the chocolate sprinkles need to be checked separately on the label.

Organising a garden party

You want guests to be able to identify the gluten-free snacks without using shared toppings or utensils. A separate serving plate can help, as long as you check the packaging of the products you’ve chosen before serving.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with a gluten-free base, then check the topping as a separate product. Only then decide how to serve both separately at your garden party.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Verified gluten-free status Check the packaging of both the base and the chocolate sprinkles for a gluten-free statement or the Crossed Grain symbol. If a guest has coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely solely on an online ingredients list. That’s why verified gluten-free status would be the top priority for roughly 40% of consumers.
A familiar rusk base Check that the gluten-free base has the crisp texture you want and looks suitable for serving with your chosen topping. I want to keep that familiar rusk-snacking experience, even when I’m replacing regular rusks. Familiarity would come first for around 30% of consumers.
Serving separately Set aside a separate serving plate and utensils for the gluten-free portions; keep regular rusks and toppings separate from them. When serving a selection of snacks, I want to avoid guests or serving utensils mixing up the portions. Around 20% of consumers would focus particularly on keeping them separate.
Shopping and other allergens Check what your shop stocks and read the current allergen information if milk or soya is relevant to a guest. I want to be able to shop practically without overlooking another relevant allergen. For around 10% of consumers, this combination would be the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free because wheat isn’t listed online

    The ingredients list on a product page is no substitute for checking the label on the packaging you buy. The Dutch Coeliac Society also explains that the Crossed Grain symbol covers checks on the production process, too.

    For a guest with coeliac disease, choose chocolate sprinkles with a gluten-free statement or the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the current packaging.

  • Changing the base but sharing the toppings and utensils

    A gluten-free label on the base tells you nothing about the topping or what may come into contact with the portion while it’s being served.

    Check the base and topping separately. Prepare the gluten-free snacks on their own serving plate and use separate utensils.

  • Forgetting about other relevant allergens in chocolate sprinkles

    The product information for Venz Puur and De Ruijter Royaal lists milk and soya. Gluten-free status alone therefore doesn’t answer all your guests’ allergen questions.

    Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests and compare these with the information on each product you choose.

Brands to consider

Schär

A rusk-style base for a sweet snack.

  • Schär describes its Zwieback as small, crisp gluten-free toast that can also be served with sweet toppings.
  • The toast’s gluten-free label doesn’t automatically apply to the chocolate sprinkles you add to it.

AH Glutenvrij

A supermarket gluten-free range where you can look for a base for your snack.

  • Albert Heijn includes crackers and bakery products in its gluten-free range.
  • Check what’s available at each shop and on each product’s packaging, including the labels it carries.

Venz

Chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a traditional topping.

  • For Venz Puur, you can compare the ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety with your guests’ needs.
  • Jumbo lists milk and soya for Venz Puur. Check the current packaging to see whether your chosen variety also has a gluten-free statement.

De Ruijter

Chocolate sprinkles, including the Royaal and Specials varieties.

  • Albert Heijn lists ingredients for the Royaal extra puur and Specials intens puur varieties, making it easier to compare them.
  • The listed ingredients include milk products and soya. If serving these to someone with coeliac disease, check the current gluten-free statement on the packaging separately.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate sprinkles suitable for someone with coeliac disease if wheat isn’t listed in the ingredients?

You can’t tell from the ingredients list alone. Check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen for a gluten-free statement or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the current allergen information, too.

How can I keep gluten-free snacks separate at a garden party?

Prepare them on their own serving plate using separate utensils, and make it clear who they’re intended for. Keep regular rusks and chocolate sprinkles separate, even when guests are helping themselves.

Can I assume gluten-free rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used in a particular product. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging if iodine is important to your choice.