Start with the allergen you need to avoid, then compare bread for everyday use. The standard wholemeal breads from Albert Heijn and Jumbo reviewed here contain wheat and gluten-containing grains. If you need to avoid gluten, a clearly labelled gluten-free product may be an option; if you need to avoid wheat, you should also check the ingredients for wheat. Always read the latest label for each product, including information about other relevant allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination.
If you need to avoid gluten, look for bread with a clear gluten-free label. If you need to avoid wheat, check the full ingredients list too: a gluten-free label alone does not answer every question about wheat.
Standard bread may be an option, depending on the specific allergen and the information on the packaging. Even with gluten-free bread, you should still check for allergens such as eggs, nuts, milk and soya, as well as any relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Before buying, you need information about the allergens in the specific bread. The name of the bread, a display label or a general product list is not enough if it does not answer your question.
First, filter bread according to your allergies and any warnings that are relevant to you. Then compare how much you can use, the nutritional information and whether packaged or unpackaged bread is more practical for you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. Check for warnings about possible cross-contamination if they are relevant to you. | If I need to avoid an allergen, I want to know before buying whether this particular bread is suitable. Around 31% of consumers put suitability first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the pack weight and storage instructions of breads that are suitable for your allergy. | For everyday use, I want to choose a size I can finish without unnecessary waste, while following the storage instructions. For around 31% of consumers, getting the right amount is the main consideration. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Only after checking the allergens, look at the type of grain and, if listed, the fibre per 100 g. | If several breads are suitable for my allergy, I want to be able to compare their nutritional information. Around 23% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Unpackaged bread | Before buying, ask about the allergens in the specific bread if the information is not clearly displayed. | When choosing bread from the display, I want to be able to assess my options before it is wrapped. Around 15% of consumers prioritise accessible allergen information. |
Wholemeal describes the grain base, not whether a bread is suitable for someone with an allergy. The AH Boeren grof volkorenbrood reviewed here contains wheat, barley and rye; the Jumbo Fijn Volkoren reviewed here contains wheat and barley.
Use the latest allergen information as your first filter. Only then consider whether the wholemeal option suits your preferences.
According to PLUS, the gluten-free feestbrood reviewed here contains almonds and egg and may contain soya and milk. A gluten-free label does not replace the other allergen information.
Check each ingredient you need to avoid individually, and take any relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination into account when choosing.
A list can help you find shop-bought bread, but it may not tell you which allergens are in the bread you want to buy.
Before buying unpackaged bread, ask for the latest information about that specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about allergens present in unpackaged foods must be available where they are offered for sale.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. So the type of bread does not tell you which salt was used.
Check the ingredients on the packaging or ask the baker if baker’s salt is important to your choice.
Albert Heijn offers standard wholemeal bread and a separate gluten-free bread category.
Jumbo offers both standard own-brand wholemeal bread and bread from its gluten-free Lekker Vrij range.
Lidl provides an ingredients and allergen guide for its freshly baked bread range.
Aldi offers standard wholemeal breads and directs customers to allergen information for its bakery range.
PLUS offers standard wholemeal bread as well as a separate range of gluten-free products.
Dirk offers standard bread online, including wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and bread for baking at home.
Not based on the name alone: the standard wholemeal breads from Albert Heijn and Jumbo reviewed here contain wheat and gluten-containing grains. If you need to avoid gluten, you can consider a clearly labelled gluten-free product. If you need to avoid wheat, check the full ingredients list for wheat too, and read any warnings that are relevant to you.
No, a gluten-free label does not mean that. According to PLUS’s product information, the gluten-free feestbrood reviewed here contains almonds and egg and may contain soya and milk. Check the information for all the allergens that are relevant to you for every bread you consider.
If the information is not clearly displayed, ask the seller before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about allergens present in unpackaged foods must be available where the products are offered for sale. Check that the answer relates to the bread you want to buy.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use and follow the storage instructions for that product. Only compare breads that first meet your allergen requirements; a different size does not make unsuitable bread suitable.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used for that specific bread.
