Canteens with a varied lunch menu
If you’re looking for one crispbread to serve with different toppings, a simple wholegrain rye variety is a good place to start. Make sure guests can access information about gluten.
Which canteens is it for?
Canteens looking to give lunch a distinctive touch
A traditional shape or sourdough variety can be a considered choice with special toppings. Try it with the toppings you have in mind and compare the nutritional information too.
Canteens with careful allergen management
When serving crispbread without its packaging, staff need to be able to share information about the allergens it contains. So check the exact packaging, including for varieties made with several grains or sesame.
What should you look for?
First, decide what role the crispbread will play at lunch: a versatile base for a range of toppings, or a variety that stands out for its recipe and presentation.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, and see which variety goes with the toppings you plan to serve. | If I’m looking for one wholegrain base for different lunches, I want to know what’s actually in the crispbread. Around 29% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
| Allergen information | Check the label on the variety you buy and decide how guests will get the information before making a purchase. | When serving crispbread without its packaging, I want to be able to answer questions about the ingredients accurately. For around 29% of consumers, this information comes first. |
| Flavour and presentation | Try the shape and flavour with the toppings you have in mind, and check that the variety also works with other lunch options. | For a lunch with special toppings, I want the crispbread to add something in terms of both flavour and presentation. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Stock and freshness | Check the pack size and storage instructions. Seal opened packs as directed. | If I serve crispbread regularly, I want to be able to store my stock without leaving unnecessary opened packs around. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free
Wholegrain rye crispbread contains rye, a grain that contains gluten. So ‘wholegrain’ doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free.
Only consider a variety gluten-free if this is stated on the exact packaging, and check the latest allergen information.
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Looking only at the fibre content
Crispbreads with different fibre levels may also vary in the grains they contain, whether they include sesame, and any warnings about possible traces of allergens.
Compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the same basis, and read the full ingredients and allergen information too.
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Throwing away the packaging before serving
When serving crispbread without its packaging, allergen information must still be available to guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that this information must also be provided for unpackaged products.
Keep the packaging or a product specification that matches the product you bought somewhere staff can refer to it when guests have questions.
Brands to consider
Compare specific varieties rather than brands alone: recipes, nutritional information and allergens can differ across a single range.
Wasa
Wasa offers simple wholegrain rye varieties as well as options with a more extensive ingredients list.
- According to Wasa, Wasa Wholegrain contains wholegrain rye flour, yeast and salt; its stated fibre content is 20 g per 100 g.
- Wasa High Fiber’s product information lists sesame and possible traces of milk, among other ingredients and warnings. Check the allergens for each variety.
Leksands
Leksands Knäcke Original is a traditional Swedish rye crispbread with a triangular shape.
- Product information from Albert Heijn states that it contains 97% wholegrain rye flour and 20 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The rye variety contains gluten. Check the label on the pack you’ve bought before serving it.
Jumbo
Jumbo Wholegrain Crispbread is a supermarket own-brand option in a 375 g pack.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains 10,9 g of fibre and 0,71 g of salt per 100 g.
- The ingredients include wholegrain wheat, wholegrain rye and palm fat. This means it has a different recipe from simple rye crispbread.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online crispbread range includes own-brand products and options from other brands, which you can compare side by side.
- The category page is a useful starting point for comparing product recipes and pack sizes.
- Check the current packaging and nutritional information for your chosen variety. A category overview doesn’t tell you which products are available to every canteen.
Ryvita
Ryvita describes a range of rye and multigrain varieties on its UK product pages.
- The UK Original Crispbread page lists wholegrain rye flour and rye flour, among other ingredients.
- Don’t use UK ingredient lists and allergen warnings in place of the label on a Dutch variety.
Crispbread on Joybuy
These products offer a range of wholegrain and high-fibre options for a canteen lunch with toppings. For each product, check the packaging and make sure the information guests need is available when it’s served.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye crackers, 235 g
An option if you’re looking for sourdough rye crispbread to serve with lunch toppings. Wasa describes this variety as made with 100% wholegrain rye. Check the allergens on the pack you’ve bought before serving.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 375 g
Wholegrain crispbread in a 375 g pack for canteens that regularly serve lunch with toppings. Check the label for the exact grain recipe and allergens before sharing information with guests.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
An option if you’re looking for a simple wholegrain rye base to serve with a range of toppings. Wasa lists rye flour, yeast and salt for Wasa Wholegrain. Check the fibre content and allergens on the label of the pack you’ve bought too.
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Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g
An option to consider if you want to compare the fibre content of different lunch products. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check which grains and allergens are listed on the packaging.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain crispbread to consider for serving with lunch toppings. Check the packaging to see which grains it contains and which allergens are listed for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Does a canteen need to provide allergen information when crispbread is served without its packaging?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says guests must be able to get information about the allergens present in unpackaged products too. This information can be provided in writing or verbally. If it’s provided verbally, there must be a clear notice telling guests they can ask for it.
Is wholegrain rye crispbread gluten-free?
No, wholegrain rye contains gluten. Only consider a variety gluten-free if the exact product is labelled as such, and check the pack you’ve bought.
Does premium crispbread always contain more fibre?
No, ‘premium’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre a product contains. For example, Jumbo Wholegrain Crispbread and Wasa High Fiber list 10,9 g and 26 g of fibre per 100 g respectively. Compare the nutritional values for each variety on the same basis.
Does all crispbread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t assume this is the case for every variety. Wasa says its Original Crisp contains salt enriched with iodine, while the ingredients list for Wasa Wholegrain simply says ‘salt’. Check the ingredients list on the packaging actually used by the canteen.
How should you store an opened pack of crispbread?
Follow the storage instructions for your chosen variety and seal the pack well after opening. This will help you store your stock as directed on the product.