If you’re buying bread for someone with coeliac disease, choose a loaf labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol. Keep it separate from ordinary bread when preparing and serving it. Then choose a type of bread to suit the occasion: a whole loaf for sandwiches, small rolls for individual portions or a festive loaf for the Christmas table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society emphasise the importance of checking the label and preventing cross-contamination.
You’re providing bread for a Christmas market, Christmas breakfast or drinks gathering. As well as choosing a product labelled gluten-free, you’ll need to make sure crumbs from ordinary bread don’t end up on your guest’s portion, as advised by the Dutch Coeliac Society.
You’re looking for rolls, baguettes or ciabatta that can be served individually. Jumbo and Dirk list these types of bread in their gluten-free ranges; check the packaging and any preparation instructions for each product you choose.
You want to choose a good everyday loaf that’s useful beyond the festive season, too. Compare the fibre information and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Start by checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free and can be served separately. Then choose between a whole loaf, individual rolls or a festive loaf, depending on how many portions you need and when you plan to serve them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this most? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and separate serving | Check the packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol; use clean, separate cutlery and fillings. | If I’m serving bread to someone with coeliac disease, I want to make sure crumbs from ordinary bread don’t reach their portion. This safe choice comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Type of bread and serving occasion | Choose between a whole loaf, individual rolls and festive bread. If it’s a bake-off product, check the preparation instructions and whether you can prepare it separately. | For a Christmas brunch, I want to offer small portions without cutting into a whole loaf. Around 27% of consumers say ease of serving is their main consideration. |
| Availability | Check the chosen shop’s current stock and read the product packaging again when you buy it. | When I do my Christmas shopping at one supermarket, I want to be able to find a suitable loaf there. Around 20% of consumers prioritise availability. |
| Fibre and iodine | Compare fibre per 100 g or per portion, and check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. | If I eat gluten-free bread after the festive season, too, I want to compare the nutritional information across different loaves. This is the first consideration for around 13% of consumers. |
| Portions and leftovers | Check the pack size, storage instructions and how many portions you need. | A small group of consumers want to avoid opening more bread than they can safely serve or store. Portion planning matters most to around 7% of consumers. |
Crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread from a chopping board, knife or shared butter. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preparing gluten-free foods separately.
Keep the bread wrapped until you’re ready to serve it, and use separate or thoroughly cleaned equipment, including for fillings.
A wheat-free label or the colour of a loaf doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, ‘gluten-free’ means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging.
Brown bread alone doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains or whether iodised salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t have to use baker’s salt.
Compare the fibre information and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
A product range shown online doesn’t guarantee that your local shop stocks the festive loaf you’ve chosen. Ingredients and allergen information can also change, as PLUS notes in its product information.
Check availability shortly before you shop, and read the label on the product you actually buy.
Compare the bread you can actually buy at each shop. A category or search result is no substitute for checking the labelling and allergen information on the packaging.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free bread category includes its own bread, as well as products from Schär and Consenza.
Jumbo lists gluten-free everyday loaves and smaller types of bread, including ciabatta.
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread, as well as Yam Feestbrood glutenvrij, 400 g.
Dirk’s search results include gluten-free Schär mini baguettes and ciabatta.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and rolls in its bakery range.
Lidl has a page about gluten-free products, but its range may change.
This Joybuy selection features mini baguettes for individual portions at a Christmas brunch. Before planning to serve warm rolls, check the preparation instructions and number of items on the current packaging.
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Mini baguettes are a handy option if you want to serve individual portions at a Christmas brunch. The product description says they’re gluten-free; check the current packaging for this label and keep them separate from ordinary bread when serving.
Also check the actual pack contents and preparation instructions before planning portions and oven use.
Don’t choose bread based on ‘wheat-free’ alone: this label doesn’t confirm that it’s gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society advise checking that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol.
Store and serve the gluten-free bread separately. Use clean cutlery and a clean chopping board, and make sure the knife hasn’t been used with ordinary bread crumbs before spreading fillings. This follows the Dutch Coeliac Society’s advice to prepare gluten-free foods separately.
No, you can’t assume this of every gluten-free loaf: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list, or ask if the bread is sold without packaging.
Check the gluten-free label on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information for your guests. A Christmas category alone tells you nothing about an individual product. Also check that the bread is available and how many portions are in the pack.
