Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone shopping for someone with coeliac disease

You’ll want to check the label of the Muisjes variety you’ve chosen first. Colour and presentation only come into it once the contents are suitable.

Anyone arranging a birth or celebration table

You’ll want to offer a gluten-free alternative separately, without crumbs or shared utensils getting into it. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of using a clean, preferably unopened pack.

Anyone looking for a separate glass serving jar

You’ll want a jar that suits the amount you plan to serve and is easy to clean. Assess whether the contents are suitable separately from the jar.

What should you look for when buying?

Check the label on the food first. Then choose a jar and serving method that allow you to keep everything separate.

What to consider What should you check? Who should pay particular attention?
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and any gluten-free statement for the variety you’ve chosen. If it contains wheat starch, don’t assume it’s suitable unless it is labelled gluten-free. If I’m shopping for someone with coeliac disease, I want to know first whether these particular contents are suitable. This is the main concern for around 50% of consumers.
Serving separately Use a clean jar and lid, a separate clean utensil and, preferably, an unopened pack. At a shared celebration table, I want to prevent crumbs getting into the gluten-free alternative. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Jar size Choose a capacity that suits the amount you want to serve, and check the seal and cleaning instructions. Albert Heijn listed glass jars in 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre sizes as discontinued. For a separate portion, I want a jar that suits what I’m putting on the table and that I can clean afterwards. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this when choosing a jar.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on the name Muisjes instead of checking the label

    The Pink and White Muisjes checked at Albert Heijn and the Feest Muisjes at Jumbo list wheat starch and wheat or cereals containing gluten. Their colour or traditional use says nothing about whether they’re suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check the current label for every variety. Don’t treat a product containing wheat starch as gluten-free unless that specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

  • Serving a checked gluten-free product with shared utensils

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs can get into gluten-free food from used utensils or packaging.

    Clean the jar and lid, use a separate clean serving spoon and keep the contents apart. Ideally, open a new pack.

  • Assuming an old jar listing means it’s currently available to buy

    Albert Heijn listed the 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre glass storage jars as discontinued. These sizes can help you decide what capacity you need, but they don’t tell you whether the jars are currently available.

    For any jar you’re considering now, check its capacity, seal and cleaning instructions.

Brands and shops to consider

De Ruijter

A brand of Muisjes in a range of colours and varieties, including the Pink and White Muisjes and Feest Muisjes described in product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo.

  • There are varieties for different birth and celebration displays.
  • The Pink and White Muisjes and Feest Muisjes checked list wheat starch and wheat or cereals containing gluten. Check the label of any other variety separately.

Albert Heijn

A retailer with product information about De Ruijter Muisjes and listings for glass storage jars in different sizes.

  • The listing for Pink and White Muisjes includes the ingredients and allergens for this specific variety.
  • The listed 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre glass jars were marked as discontinued; don’t use those pages as an indication of current availability.

Jumbo

A retailer with a Muisjes category and product information for items including De Ruijter Feest Muisjes.

  • The ingredients and allergens are listed for Feest Muisjes.
  • The ingredients in Feest Muisjes don’t automatically apply to other varieties, so check the pack you’ve chosen each time.

Glass jars for serving separately

These glass jars are intended for storing or serving separately an alternative that you’ve checked yourself for suitability for someone with coeliac disease. A jar won’t make Muisjes containing gluten-containing ingredients gluten-free.

YumiPLUS Inspired glass jars, set of 3

YumiPLUS Inspired airtight glass jars, set of 3

Worth considering if you want to store or serve a separately checked gluten-free alternative in clean jars. The set contains three glass jars with airtight lids; check the capacity of each jar and the cleaning instructions before buying. Use your own clean utensils when serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are De Ruijter Pink and White Muisjes or Feest Muisjes suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No, the varieties described are not gluten-free options: Albert Heijn lists wheat starch and wheat or cereals containing gluten in Pink and White Muisjes, and Jumbo lists them in Feest Muisjes too. Always check the current label for any other variety.

Does a glass jar make Muisjes suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No, a jar doesn’t change the ingredients. You can use a clean jar to serve a separately checked gluten-free alternative on its own.

How can I keep a gluten-free alternative separate on the table?

Use a clean jar and your own clean serving spoon, and keep the contents away from crumbs and shared utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using a new, unopened pack if possible.

Can a product containing wheat starch still be gluten-free?

Yes, according to Glutenvrij.nl, wheat starch can be made gluten-free, but don’t assume this based on the ingredient alone. Check that the product you’ve chosen is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

What size glass jar should I choose for serving separately?

Choose a size that suits the amount you want to offer separately. Albert Heijn listed 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre jars as discontinued; for any jar you want to buy now, check its size, seal and cleaning instructions.