If you have coeliac disease, first look for bread clearly labelled gluten-free. Words such as ‘wholemeal’, ‘dark’ and ‘multiseed’ are no substitute. Then compare the ingredients, other allergens, fibre per 100 g and packaging to find a product that suits your needs. If it matters to your choice, also check whether the label lists iodised baker’s salt: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bakers use it.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to know which other allergens may be relevant. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, avoiding gluten is essential if you have coeliac disease. So don’t judge bread by its colour or grain type alone.
You’re looking for bread from the gluten-free range for your daily lunch. The fibre per 100 g and the ingredients give you a better guide than a dark colour or seeds on the packaging.
You want a pack that suits how often you eat bread and how much you can store or freeze. As well as checking the gluten-free label, look at the net weight and storage advice for your chosen product.
When choosing bread for someone with coeliac disease, start by checking that it’s labelled gluten-free. Only then consider the nutritional information and practicalities. The points below will help you follow that order. A preference for fibre content or pack size is no substitute for checking that the bread is gluten-free.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and allergens | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and read the information about other allergens too. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before you buy. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the bread’s dark colour or name. Around 36% of consumers put verified gluten-free status first. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients in the bread; ‘multiseed’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains. | For my daily lunch, I want to be able to see how much fibre gluten-free bread contains. Around 29% of consumers pay most attention to this nutritional information. |
| Availability and storage | Check whether your chosen bread is available where you shop, and follow the storage or freezing advice on the packaging. | I want to be able to pick up bread during my usual shop and store it appropriately at home. For around 21% of consumers, this everyday convenience matters most. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with the number of meals you need the bread for. | If I only eat bread occasionally, I want to be able to finish a pack without unnecessary waste. Around 14% of consumers give the most importance to a suitable pack size. |
Wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley contains gluten. A dark colour or seeds don’t change that, and according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, avoiding gluten is essential if you have coeliac disease.
First check that the specific bread is labelled gluten-free. Only then compare its colour, ingredients and fibre content.
A gluten-free product may contain other allergens. For example, the product information Jumbo provides for Schär Meesterbakker Classic lists soya protein and says it may contain lupin and mustard. This doesn’t automatically apply to other breads.
Read the full allergen information if you also need to take other allergies into account.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. So, just because bread is sold in the Netherlands doesn’t mean that particular bread contains this salt.
Check the ingredients list of your chosen product for iodised baker’s salt.
Albert Heijn’s own-brand range, which includes light and dark multiseed breads.
Jumbo’s own-brand range, which includes white and brown 500 g loaves in the gluten-free selection shown.
A brand with several types of gluten-free bread featured in the ranges at Jumbo and Albert Heijn.
Jumbo lists Céréal Gluten Free Lactose Free Volkorenbrood, a 240 g loaf, for anyone specifically looking for bread labelled both gluten-free and wholemeal.
This product selection is relevant if you’re looking for gluten-free bread products. Before buying this item, check the exact product type: the available descriptions differ on whether it’s mini baguettes or a bread mix.
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If you’re looking for a gluten-free bread product, the first things to check here are the gluten-free label and the exact product type. The title says there are seven pieces, but the descriptions differ, referring to either mini baguettes or a bread mix. Check the packaging and preparation instructions before choosing.
Also read the latest allergen information if soya, lupin or mustard are relevant to you. Don’t assume it’s wholemeal bread based on the name.
No. Ordinary wholemeal bread made with wheat, rye or barley contains gluten, so it isn’t suitable for people with coeliac disease. Instead, look for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and check the information for that product.
No. The colour and the word ‘multiseed’ don’t tell you how much fibre it contains. Check the nutritional information for fibre per 100 g and read the ingredients list for the specific bread.
Before buying, ask for allergen information and how the bread is presented and prepared. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods. Don’t assume that the colour or a spoken name is a substitute for a gluten-free label.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. Check the bread’s ingredients list if you want to know whether it contains it.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the bread you buy. For Schär Meesterbakker Classic, Jumbo advises resealing the pack after opening, using the bread within a few days or freezing it straight away. Instructions may differ for other products.
