For a guest with coeliac disease, choose bread whose packaging clearly states that it is gluten-free, and keep it separate from ordinary bread during preparation and serving. Then choose a format to suit your Christmas meal: sliced bread for several occasions, rolls or ciabatta for a warm brunch, or a festive loaf if one is actually available. Check the other allergens and storage instructions too.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid crumbs from ordinary bread getting mixed in during slicing or serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
You want to serve rolls or ciabatta, and need to take care when baking them alongside ordinary bread.
You want to shop before Christmas and check the availability of everyday gluten-free bread and its storage instructions, rather than relying solely on a seasonal product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Check the gluten-free label on the packaging and plan to use separate utensils and serving equipment. | If my guest has coeliac disease, I want to keep crumbs from ordinary bread away from their meal. For around 33% of consumers, gluten safety comes first. |
| Format and occasion | Choose between sliced bread, rolls and bake-at-home rolls; check the cooking instructions for products that need baking. | For a warm Christmas brunch, I want to serve small rolls, while for several occasions I’d rather have slices ready to serve. For around 27% of consumers, format is the main consideration. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Compare fibre per 100 g and read the allergen information for the variety you choose. | If a guest has another food allergy, I don’t want to assume that gluten-free bread is suitable for them too. Around 20% of consumers give this extra label check top priority. |
| Availability and storage | Check current availability and follow the storage or freezing instructions on the packaging. | If I buy the bread well before Christmas, I want to know whether I can store it as directed until it’s time to serve. For around 20% of consumers, planning ahead matters most. |
For a guest with coeliac disease, a wheat-free description is no substitute for a clear gluten-free label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also warns that even a bread crumb can cause symptoms.
Read the packaging and use clean equipment for slicing, toasting and serving that isn’t also used for ordinary bread.
An existing product page doesn’t mean the bread is still available: Jumbo’s page for Jumbo Feestbrood Glutenvrij 450 g stated that the product was no longer available.
Check current availability before finalising your menu, and consider everyday gluten-free bread as an alternative.
A gluten-free label says nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with another food allergy. Allergen information can vary from one loaf to another.
Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging you’re buying.
You can’t tell from the gluten-free label whether bread contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients list on the packaging you choose if the presence of iodised salt matters to you.
A shop where you can compare different formats of gluten-free bread, including half loaves and white rolls.
A shop to look in for gluten-free bread or a possible festive loaf.
An option for anyone looking for white, brown or multiseed gluten-free bread.
A shop to look in for gluten-free ciabatta for brunch.
Another shop to consider for gluten-free products in its regular or limited-time range.
An option for anyone looking for gluten-free bake-at-home rolls for a warm brunch.
Don’t serve ordinary Christmas bread to that guest: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. Choose bread labelled gluten-free and keep it separate during preparation and serving.
Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging of the bread you’re buying, and read the ingredients and allergen information too. If your guest has coeliac disease, don’t rely on a description such as ‘wheat-free’ alone.
You can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ label. Check the ingredients list on the packaging you choose if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used.
Yes, as long as you can store it until serving time by following the instructions for that specific product. For example, Albert Heijn says that AH Glutenvrij Madeleine brood half can be frozen at home; follow the instructions on the packaging for any other bread.
Only count on a specific festive loaf once you’ve checked that it’s currently available. Jumbo’s product page for Jumbo Feestbrood Glutenvrij 450 g stated that the item was no longer available, so everyday gluten-free bread could be an alternative for your menu.
