Hosting a guest with coeliac disease
You’re looking for bread with a clear gluten-free claim and want to prepare and serve it separately. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that crumbs and used utensils can also cause cross-contamination.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Sharing or dipping bread
You want a type of bread you can serve in individual portions alongside small dishes. Mini baguettes, ciabatta and flatbreads offer a different serving option from sliced bread.
Choosing in advance at the supermarket
You’re comparing the types of bread a retailer lists online, but you check the packaging again when you buy it. Range, ingredients and allergen information can change.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check the gluten-free claim and consider how to prevent cross-contamination. Then choose between bread to share in individual portions and sliced bread for topped bites.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Check for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging; don’t rely on the type of grain or the name of the bread alone. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to see that the finished product is labelled gluten-free. Around 42% of consumers put this check first. |
| How it’s served | Check whether you can serve individual portions and whether the bread needs baking before serving. | With small dishes, I want to hand out bread separately rather than have everyone reach into the same bread basket. Around 25% of consumers put shareable bread first. |
| Choice of retailer | Check which types of bread your retailer stocks and read the packaging again when you buy it. | I want to choose a suitable type of bread in advance, but not rely solely on an online range. For around 17% of consumers, the choice of retailer matters most. |
| Ingredients | Compare ingredients and nutritional information; check whether it contains iodised baker’s salt if that’s relevant to you. | Even with gluten-free bread, I want to compare the ingredients rather than make assumptions based on its colour or seeds. For around 16% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing corn or sourdough bread without a gluten-free claim
The name of a bread doesn’t confirm that the finished product is gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society gives corn bread as an example of bread that may also contain wheat.
If you’re serving a guest with coeliac disease, check for a gluten-free claim on the current packaging.
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Serving gluten-free bread alongside ordinary bread
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs, used utensils and a shared dip can all lead to cross-contamination.
Use clean utensils and give the gluten-free bread and its dip their own place on the table.
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Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised baker’s salt
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that gluten-free bread isn’t always made with iodised baker’s salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you whether it contains it.
If this information matters to you, check the product details or ask the manufacturer.
Relevant retailers and brands
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s online range includes different types of gluten-free bread, including sliced bread, rolls and flatbreads.
- You can compare sliced bread with bread that’s served in individual portions.
- Check the current packaging before use; Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both sliced gluten-free bread and options such as mini baguettes, ciabatta and flatbreads online.
- This lets you compare bread for topped bites with options for serving individual portions.
- Check what’s available at your local shop and read the packaging of the product you buy.
PLUS
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread online, as well as bread rolls in its wider gluten-free range.
- There are sliced loaves and smaller rolls to compare.
- PLUS warns that ingredient, dietary and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk lists gluten-free loaves and a Schär Mini Baguette online, among other products.
- A mini baguette is worth considering if you want to serve bread in individual portions.
- Before planning a meal, check whether your local shop stocks the product you want.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and gluten-free bake-at-home rolls as options available in store.
- Bake-at-home rolls are worth considering if you want to serve warm bread separately.
- In store, check that the type of bread you want is available and look for the gluten-free claim on the packaging.
Lidl
Lidl directs shoppers to its core range for gluten-free products and also offers additional products that vary over time.
- You can check in advance whether your local shop offers a type of bread that suits the meal.
- For a planned Asian-themed evening, don’t assume a specific gluten-free bread will be available without checking stock and packaging.
Related Joybuy products
For your Asian-themed evening, compare gluten-free sliced bread for topped bites with mini baguettes, ciabatta and flatbreads for sharing. Check each product’s current packaging for its gluten-free claim and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Is bread made with corn, oats, rice or buckwheat automatically gluten-free?
No. The type of grain used doesn’t confirm that the finished product is gluten-free. Check for a gluten-free claim on the packaging; for example, the Dutch Coeliac Society notes that corn bread may also contain wheat.
How should I serve gluten-free bread alongside ordinary bread?
Keep the gluten-free bread separate and use clean utensils, its own serving area and a separate dip. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs and shared utensils can also cause cross-contamination.
What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on bread packaging?
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, a finished product labelled ‘gluten-free’ contains less than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the packaging of the bread you’re actually going to serve.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodine from iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ label. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that gluten-free bread isn’t always made with iodised baker’s salt. If this matters to you, check the product information or ask the manufacturer.