If you’re buying bread for someone with coeliac disease, start by checking that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’, then check the ingredients and allergen information for that exact product. Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from soya, milk, eggs, nuts or oats, for example. Only compare fibre, iodised salt and loaf style once the product meets the relevant dietary and allergy requirements.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free, and checking the current packaging rather than relying on the type of bread or the front of the pack alone. The Voedingscentrum recommends reading the label on gluten-free products.
As well as gluten, ingredients such as soya or oats, and information about other allergens, may affect your choice. Always check both the ingredients list and the allergen information for the specific loaf.
Once you’ve found a suitable gluten-free loaf, you can compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t assume that all gluten-free breads have the same nutritional value.
First, check that the bread is suitable for the person you’re buying it for, including any additional allergies. Then compare the nutritional information, loaf style and availability.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Especially important for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for a gluten-free label on the current packaging. For unpackaged bread, ask for specific allergen information before buying. | When I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to check that the bread I’ve chosen is suitable. For around 42% of consumers, this reassurance comes first. |
| Additional allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, even if the bread is labelled gluten-free. | If I’m buying for someone with an additional allergy, I need to know whether the bread contains soya, for example, or lists other relevant allergens. Around 25% of consumers give this check their highest priority. |
| Fibre and iodised salt | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. | If I eat gluten-free bread regularly, I also want to compare the nutritional information for suitable products. This matters most to around 17% of consumers. |
| Loaf style and availability | Choose a suitable loaf style and check that the specific product is currently available. | If I need a particular type of loaf, I want to know whether that exact gluten-free product is available before I count on it. This is the top priority for around 16% of consumers. |
Gluten-free bread may contain soya or oats, and may carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. So a gluten-free label doesn’t answer every allergy-related question.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product every time you buy it.
Spelt is a type of wheat. A bread’s name, method of preparation or appearance doesn’t confirm that it’s gluten-free.
If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label and read the packaging.
A shop may show gluten-free bread without a general range page confirming the current ingredients or availability of the specific product you’ve chosen.
Check the specific product information and the packaging. Don’t simply choose ordinary bread if the gluten-free option you want isn’t available.
Breads in the same shape don’t necessarily have the same fibre per 100 g or use the same type of salt.
After checking the allergens, compare the nutritional information and ingredients lists of the products that are suitable for you.
These ranges can help you narrow down your search. Always check the ingredients and allergens for each loaf on its current packaging.
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free bread from its own brand and other brands, including Schär and Consenza.
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread from its own Lekker Vrij brand and other brands.
PLUS lists its own-brand gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread, alongside bread from other brands.
Dirk stocks gluten-free bread products including Schär Meisterbackers Classic, Vital and Mini Baguette.
Lidl describes a gluten-free range alongside its standard range.
ALDI mentions gluten-free options among bread rolls and products from shops with an in-store bakery.
These Joybuy products suit two different plans: preparing small gluten-free baguettes or baking your own bread with a gluten-free bread mix. A bread mix isn’t ready-made bread, so check the current packaging and preparation instructions for both products.
No image available
For anyone who wants to prepare small gluten-free baguettes at home. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before choosing.
If you have additional allergies, check the current information about soya, lupin and mustard.
No image available
A gluten-free bread mix for anyone who wants to make and bake their own bread; it isn’t ready-made bread.
If you have a soya allergy, check the current allergen information on the packaging. Also check the type of salt used if iodised salt is important to your comparison.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you’re buying for someone with additional allergies, check the other allergen information too.
No. Wheat-free doesn’t automatically mean gluten-free: rye and barley also contain gluten. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the current packaging.
Ask for allergen information about the specific bread before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged foods. Ask about both gluten-containing cereals and any other allergens relevant to the person.
Iodised salt is an ingredient to check when comparing gluten-free breads for regular use. The Voedingscentrum points out that eating little bread, or choosing bread without iodised salt, can affect your iodine intake. Check the ingredients list for the product you choose.
