Organisers with an attendee who has coeliac disease
You’re providing snacks for a mixed group. As well as checking for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging, think about how you’ll keep the rice cakes separate from products containing gluten.
Who is this relevant to?
Buyers looking for a versatile snack base
You want to offer rice cakes that can be eaten plain or topped with something of each attendee’s choice. Check the gluten-free label on the plain variety you’re actually buying.
Organisers looking to offer a sweet option
You want a rice cake you can serve without any preparation. For a chocolate variety, check both the gluten-free label and the information about other allergens.
What should you look for when buying and serving?
First check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. Then decide how you’ll serve the rice cakes separately, and only then choose a flavour to suit the meeting.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and separate serving | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. Keep the rice cakes sealed until you serve them, and use clean, separate utensils. | If someone attending has coeliac disease, I want to be able to identify which rice cake is intended for them and avoid contact with crumbs. For around 50% of consumers, checking the product and how it is served comes first. |
| Easy to serve | Check how many rice cakes are in each pack and choose a serving method that keeps the gluten-free rice cakes separate. | For a short meeting, I want to be able to serve snacks without toppings or much preparation. Around 30% of consumers give this practical convenience top priority. |
| Flavour and other allergens | Compare plain rice cakes with a flavoured variety. For the latter, also read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen. | For a mixed group, I want to be able to choose between a plain rice cake and a sweet snack without overlooking other allergens. Around 20% of consumers prioritise having this choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all rice cakes are gluten-free
The type of grain alone doesn’t confirm that a particular pack is suitable as a gluten-free option. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label is linked to a maximum gluten content of 20 mg/kg in the food sold to consumers.
Check for this label on every pack you put out for the attendee with coeliac disease.
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Putting gluten-free rice cakes among regular snacks
Crumbs or shared kitchen utensils can contaminate rice cakes even after you’ve bought them. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises avoiding cross-contamination with gluten.
Keep the pack sealed for as long as possible, and use a separate area and clean utensils when serving.
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Checking only for gluten in a chocolate variety
A gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. The Consenza chocolate rice cakes sold by PLUS carry a warning that they may contain traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame seeds.
Ask about any other relevant allergies and read the full allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen.
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Relying on a product page you viewed earlier as your final check
Albert Heijn states that product details, ingredients and allergen information may change. The packaging of the product you serve is therefore more important than a description you viewed previously.
Read the current packaging and keep it with the rice cakes so attendees can check the information for themselves.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s AH plain rice cakes are a versatile option, described as gluten-free on the product page.
- For this specific variety, the product page lists wholegrain rice and 0.2% sea salt.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information may change, so check the packaging when you buy it.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a range of rice and corn cakes, including varieties with different flavours and pack sizes.
- The range gives you options to compare plain and flavoured varieties.
- Being listed in this category doesn’t confirm that an individual product is gluten-free; check the packaging of the product you choose.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI describes Goud Gebakken sea salt rice cakes as gluten-free.
- For this product, ALDI lists 17 rice cakes per pack and a net weight of 130 g.
- This description applies to this specific rice cake; check the packaging of the variety you choose when buying it.
Consenza
Consenza includes unsalted wholegrain rice cakes and a chocolate variety in its gluten-free range.
- PLUS labels the Consenza chocolate rice cakes it sells as gluten-free (<20 ppm).
- The chocolate variety carries a warning that it may contain traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame seeds.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are rice cakes automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Check that the current packaging of the specific rice cakes carries the ‘gluten-free’ label. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this label may only be used when the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
How should I serve gluten-free rice cakes at a work meeting?
Keep them separate from snacks containing gluten and, if possible, leave the pack sealed until you serve them. Use a separate area and clean utensils to prevent contact with crumbs or shared kitchen equipment; the Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the importance of avoiding cross-contamination.
Can I offer a chocolate rice cake instead of a plain one?
Yes, provided the packaging of that specific chocolate variety says ‘gluten-free’ and its other allergen information is suitable for the people attending. PLUS lists possible traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame seeds in the Consenza chocolate rice cakes.
Is the online product description enough to check my choice?
No. Also read the packaging of the product you buy and serve. Albert Heijn states that product details, ingredients and allergen information may change. Keep the packaging with the rice cakes when serving them so the attendee can check it for themselves.