Who is this relevant to?

Small household with coeliac disease

You’re looking for bread explicitly labelled gluten-free for one or two people, and want to choose a size that means you’ll throw less away. A loaf also labelled as a half loaf fits the bill.

Gluten-free shopper comparing labels

You want to compare fibre per 100 g and ingredients as well as the gluten-free label. If iodine is a factor in your choice, check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed for each loaf; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt.

Shopper who can’t find a suitable half loaf

You’re considering a different gluten-free loaf and want to know whether its pack size and storage instructions suit how much bread you eat at home.

What should you look for when choosing?

With coeliac disease, an explicit gluten-free label comes first. Only then compare the size, storage instructions and nutritional information.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Check that the bread is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the current label. The words wholemeal, dark and half do not, on their own, indicate that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. When I choose bread for coeliac disease, I want to check the gluten-free label before looking at the size. Around 46% of consumers would make that clarity their top priority when buying.
Size and storage Compare the half-loaf label with the net weight, and read the storage instructions before deciding whether to freeze portions. For my small household, I don’t want to open more bread than I can use. For around 27% of consumers, reducing waste would be the main consideration after meeting the gluten-free requirement.
Ingredients and nutritional information Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens. Look on the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt. I want to know the ingredients and nutritional values of this specific gluten-free bread, rather than draw conclusions based on the type of bread. For around 27% of consumers, label information would come first once the gluten-free requirement has been met.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a half wholemeal loaf for gluten-free bread

    Half describes the size; wholemeal, dark and multiseed are not gluten-free labels. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coeliac disease requires a strict gluten-free diet.

    Check for an explicit gluten-free label first, then compare the size and nutritional information.

  • Assuming the bread type tells you how much iodine it contains

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. You therefore can’t assume that every loaf provides the same amount of iodine.

    Check the ingredients label for each product to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed.

  • Buying a larger pack without a storage plan

    A 350 g or 500 g gluten-free loaf is not automatically labelled as a half loaf. For a small household, how you store the bread affects how much you’ll use.

    Compare the net weight with how much you use, and follow the storage instructions for your chosen product before freezing portions.

  • Mistaking a product page for the current label

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. A product you found before may also no longer be in stock: Jumbo states that Garbo donker volkoren desembrood is no longer in its online range.

    Before buying, check the current packaging and whether the product is available.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half, weighing 480 g.

  • The product name includes both gluten-free and half, which suits those looking for coeliac-friendly bread in a smaller size.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens; don’t assume anything based on the name.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin in a 500 g pack.

  • This is a gluten-free bread option if a 500 g pack suits how much you use.
  • The pack is not labelled as a half loaf. Jumbo also says that its previously listed Garbo donker volkoren desembrood is no longer in its online range.

PLUS

PLUS lists its own 500 g gluten-free multiseed bread and Schär Meisterbäcker Vital, weighing 350 g.

  • The two pack sizes give you a choice of quantity.
  • A smaller weight isn’t the same as a half-loaf label. Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.

Dirk

Dirk lists both standard half wholemeal loaves and gluten-free Schär breads.

  • You can view different types of bread and pack sizes separately.
  • Don’t assume a standard half wholemeal loaf is gluten-free just because the shop also lists gluten-free breads.

ALDI

ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen Half as a standard half loaf.

  • The product name makes it clear that this is a half loaf.
  • The half-loaf label does not confirm that it’s gluten-free; don’t choose this bread for coeliac disease based on its size.

Lidl

Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood as a supermarket product.

  • The name identifies it as a half loaf.
  • The product listing doesn’t include a gluten-free label. Don’t treat the words half or wholemeal as proof that a product is suitable for coeliac disease.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose a standard half wholemeal loaf if I have coeliac disease?

No, not as a substitute for bread explicitly labelled gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, coeliac disease requires a strict gluten-free diet; wheat, rye and barley contain gluten. So check for a gluten-free label before comparing sizes.

Does half on a bread pack also mean gluten-free?

No. Half describes the size, not the ingredients or whether the bread is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Lidl, ALDI and Dirk list standard half wholemeal loaves; if you have coeliac disease, always check that the specific bread is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Does every loaf in the Netherlands contain baker’s salt with iodine?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt on the loaf you choose, or ask the baker about unwrapped bread.

What if I can only find a larger pack of gluten-free bread?

Compare the net weight with how much bread you use, and read the product’s storage instructions. If necessary, divide the loaf into portions, but only freeze it in line with the instructions on the packaging.