If a child needs to avoid gluten, only pretzels clearly labelled gluten-free are suitable. Check the current ingredients list and allergen warnings separately for any other allergens. According to REWE's ingredient information, Schär Salinis contain soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. Hammermühle Bio Hafer Brezeln may contain traces of soya, and Hammermühle recommends seeking medical advice about individual tolerance to oats before eating them if you have coeliac disease. If gluten or wheat does not need to be excluded, classic pretzels may also be suitable, provided their other allergens are acceptable. The salt content and portion size are also important things to check.
If a child needs to avoid gluten, look for a clear gluten-free label and check the current ingredients list. If the pretzels contain gluten-free oats, you’ll also need to consider the child’s individual tolerance.
If your child also needs to avoid ingredients such as milk, egg, soya or sesame, check the ingredients and allergen warnings for the specific product. A ‘gluten-free’ label does not answer these other questions.
If your child does not need to avoid any particular allergens, classic pretzels may also be suitable for tea time. Check the nutrition information, planned portion size and, for pretzels that you bake at home, how much of the included salt you’ll use.
For tea time with children, first check whether gluten or any other allergens need to be avoided. Then consider the salt content and portion size to suit the occasion.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free | Look for a clear gluten-free label and check the current ingredients list. If the product contains oats, follow any individual dietary advice. | If my child needs to avoid gluten completely, I need a clearly labelled pretzel rather than a classic wheat pretzel. Around 42% of consumers put gluten-free status first. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen warnings against the specific allergens that need to be avoided. | If my child also needs to avoid soya or sesame, a ‘gluten-free’ label isn’t enough. For around 33% of consumers, checking for other allergens is the main priority. |
| Salt and portion size | Check the salt content per 100 g, the planned portion size and, if applicable, any salt supplied with the pretzels. | If there are no specific exclusions, I want to keep an eye on the snack portion and salt. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
According to REWE, Schär Salinis contain soya lecithin and carry a warning that they may contain traces of sesame. Hammermühle Bio Hafer Brezeln may contain traces of soya.
Check the ingredients list and allergen warnings against every allergen your child needs to avoid – not just gluten.
The Ditsch pretzel described by the brand lists wheat as an allergen. The EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzels checked also contain wheat.
If gluten needs to be avoided, choose a pretzel that is clearly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.
Hammermühle points out that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently.
For Bio Hafer Brezeln, follow the manufacturer’s advice and seek medical guidance on individual tolerance to oats before eating them.
For pretzels that you bake at home and that come with salt, the amount of salt added will also depend on how you prepare them.
Check the salt content in the nutrition information. If salt is included, decide carefully whether to use it and how much.
Salinis are small salted pretzels from Schär’s gluten-free snack range.
Bio Hafer Brezeln are sold as gluten-free, wheat-free mini pretzels made with gluten-free oat flour.
Ditsch’s classic pretzel is an example of a pretzel made with wheat.
The pretzels checked are designed to be baked at home and come with pretzel salt.
No. Gluten-free pretzels can contain other allergens. For Schär Salinis, REWE lists soya lecithin as an ingredient and warns that they may contain traces of sesame. Check the current packaging for all ingredients and allergen warnings relevant to your child.
The products covered here are not gluten-free: Ditsch lists wheat as an allergen in its pretzels, and the EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzels checked contain wheat. Always check the labelling on any other product you’re considering.
Gluten-free oats need to be suitable for the individual’s dietary requirements. For its Bio Hafer Brezeln, Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently and recommends seeking medical advice before eating them.
For the EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG pretzels checked, the preparation instructions say you can choose whether to sprinkle them with the included salt. Using it affects the amount of salt added, but not the allergens in the product.