If you’re cooking for someone with coeliac disease
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when it’s cut, filled or served.
For hot, filled rolls, gluten-free part-baked ciabatta and mini baguettes are ideal for a fakeaway; for sandwiches or another occasion, pre-sliced packaged bread is a practical choice. If someone with coeliac disease is joining you, first choose bread clearly labelled gluten-free and avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs during preparation. If there are any additional allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety too.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when it’s cut, filled or served.
You want to serve burgers, kebabs or hot sandwiches in individual rolls, so you’re comparing part-baked ciabatta and mini baguettes with sliced bread.
You’re looking for a packaged type of bread that works beyond your fakeaway. Storage advice, portion sizes and whether you can freeze leftovers according to the packaging all matter too.
For a fakeaway with someone who has coeliac disease, the gluten-free label comes before choosing between rolls and slices. Then decide which type suits your meal, and check how to prepare it, where it’s available and how to store it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free bread and crumb-free preparation | Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the label. At home, use clean utensils and toppings free from crumbs. | When I’m cooking for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to prepare the bread separately, away from ordinary bread. For around 36% of consumers, choosing the right product and preparing it safely come first. |
| Type of bread | Compare part-baked ciabatta and mini baguettes for individually filled rolls, and read the preparation instructions on the packaging. | For a hot burger or sandwich, I want a roll I can fill and serve separately. Around 29% of consumers give choosing the right type of bread top priority. |
| Availability | Check the current range at your local shop or in your delivery area, and have another suitable type of bread as a back-up. | When I’m doing the shopping for that evening, I want to choose bread that I can actually add to my basket. Availability is the most important factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and nutritional information | Read the storage and freezing instructions. If you like, compare the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g for the exact products. | If I’m not using all the bread that evening, I want to know how to store the rest and which variety suits my preferences. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Wheat-free doesn’t automatically rule out gluten from other grains or contact with gluten during production. So, for someone with coeliac disease, a wheat-free label is no substitute for a gluten-free one.
Choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current label, even if you’ve bought the product before. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label on gluten-free products each time.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, cross-contamination with gluten can make people with coeliac disease ill. Crumbs on a chopping board or knife, or in a shared butter dish, can therefore be a problem even when the bread you bought is gluten-free.
Prepare the gluten-free bread separately, using clean hands, a clean work surface and clean utensils. Use toppings that haven’t come into contact with bread crumbs.
The mention of iodised salt for one type of bread tells you nothing about the ingredients in other varieties. For example, PLUS lists iodised salt in Schär Meisterbäcker Vital.
If iodine is important to your choice, check the ingredients list for the exact bread you’re buying rather than making assumptions based on the type of bread.
A product range page can help you compare types of bread, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you what’s available at your local shop or in your delivery area.
Check availability when planning your shopping. Don’t assume Lidl stocks its additional gluten-free range without checking: Lidl says on its range page that these extra products aren’t available.
These retailer guides can help you find the right type of bread. Before buying, always check the label on the individual product and the current range.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free bread range includes various types, such as sliced bread, white rolls and Schär ciabatta.
Jumbo’s gluten-free bread range includes both sliced bread and rolls, including Schär Mini Baguette and Ciabatta Rustica.
PLUS lists gluten-free bread from its own brand and other brands, including Schär.
Dirk lists products including Schär Mini baguette gluten-free, a type of roll that’s ideal for individual portions.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and rolls in its bakery range.
Lidl has a page for gluten-free products, but says there that its additional gluten-free range isn’t available.
Don’t rely on ‘wheat-free’ alone: look for a clear gluten-free label on the bread. Wheat-free doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about gluten from rye or barley, for example, or the risk of cross-contamination.
Prepare and fill the gluten-free bread separately on a clean work surface, using clean hands and utensils. Don’t use shared butter or toppings that may contain crumbs from ordinary bread.
You can’t assume that from the ‘gluten-free’ label. PLUS lists iodised salt in Schär Meisterbäcker Vital; for any other bread, check the ingredients list on that specific pack.
Yes. For a gluten-free meal, check the labels on sauces, marinades and ready-made fillings too. Also keep these products free from crumbs from bread containing gluten while you’re preparing the meal.
Follow the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging for your bread. Once opened, keep it separately wrapped so it doesn’t come into contact with gluten-containing crumbs.