Who is this choice relevant to?

New to coeliac disease

You’re buying a gluten-free everyday loaf for the first time and want to know how to assess the packaging. You also want to make sure the bread doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread at home.

Practical weekly shopper

You’re looking for a type of loaf and packaging that fit in with your usual shop. You also want to check in advance whether your chosen product is available at your local shop or through your preferred order.

Replacing ordinary bread regularly

As well as checking the gluten-free claim, you want to compare fibre and other nutritional values. To understand the role bread plays in your iodine intake, check whether the ingredients list mentions baker’s salt or iodised salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

Checking that your chosen bread is labelled gluten-free comes before choosing a shop or type of loaf. Then you can decide whether a whole own-brand loaf, another type of bread from a brand such as Schär, specialist fresh bread or a specific discount supermarket product that’s available suits your shop.

Gluten-free own-brand bread

When to choose it: You’re looking for a whole everyday loaf to add to your usual supermarket order; Jumbo and PLUS show products like this in their online ranges.

Bear in mind: Check the current packaging and availability at the shop where you do your shopping.

Branded bread

When to choose it: You want to compare types of bread; Jumbo and Dirk show a range of Schär products online.

Bear in mind: The brand name doesn’t replace checking the gluten-free claim on the product you’re buying.

Specialist fresh bread

When to choose it: You’re specifically looking for fresh gluten-free bread and want to consider where it comes from; Consenza describes its own range of fresh bread.

Bear in mind: Check the packaging, shelf life and delivery or collection options for the bread you choose.

Discount supermarket range

When to choose it: You’ve found a specific product that’s available and whose packaging meets the gluten-free requirement.

Bear in mind: Don’t rely solely on limited-time products for your first stock-up; Lidl says on its range page that its extra gluten-free products are unavailable.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Gluten-free status and cross-contamination Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging and read the allergen information. At home, keep the bread away from crumbs and utensils used for ordinary bread. When buying bread for coeliac disease for the first time, I want to be sure about the bread I choose and avoid it coming into contact with ordinary bread at home. For around 33% of consumers, this is the top priority.
Type of bread and availability Choose between options such as a whole loaf and rolls; check the pack size, storage advice and availability at your shop. When I’m shopping for breakfast and lunch, I want to be able to buy a type of bread I’ll actually use. Availability and type of bread are the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Fibre and iodine Compare fibre values in the nutrition table on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If I’m replacing ordinary bread regularly, I want to know how its nutritional value differs and what role it plays in my iodine intake. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Pack size and food waste Compare the pack size with how much you’ll use, and follow the storage and freezing instructions for your chosen bread. In a small household, I don’t want to buy more than I can store or freeze according to the packaging. This matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Relying on ‘sourdough’, ‘spelt’, ‘multiseed’ or ‘oat’

    These words describe ingredients or a type of bread, but they don’t confirm that it’s gluten-free. Spelt contains gluten; for oats in gluten-free products, the production and processing methods matter.

    For bread when you have coeliac disease, check for an explicit gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the label.

  • Using the same kitchen utensils as for ordinary bread

    According to the Voedingscentrum, crumbs and contact with shared surfaces can also matter when you have coeliac disease. So, once you’ve carefully chosen your bread, keep it separate from ordinary bread after buying it.

    Store the bread separately and use clean or separate knives, chopping boards and other utensils.

  • Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Voedingscentrum points out that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So a gluten-free claim won’t tell you whether the bread contains this ingredient.

    Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, and consider the role of bread in your overall diet.

  • Relying on a limited-time range as your only stock-up plan

    A product you’ve seen before might not be available when you do your shopping. Lidl says on its range page that its extra gluten-free products are unavailable.

    Check the specific product with your shop before setting off, and have a back-up option whose packaging you can check.

Shops and brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online category for gluten-free bread, including both own-brand products and other brands.

  • The online category includes bread from Schär and AH Glutenvrij, among other products.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the bread you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both its Lekker Vrij van Gluten own-brand bread and Schär products online.

  • The online range includes Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin, 500 g, as well as different types of Schär bread.
  • An online product listing doesn’t guarantee that the bread is available at your local shop.

PLUS

PLUS lists a range of gluten-free bread types under its own name online.

  • You can browse separate products such as white, brown and multiseed bread, as well as small rolls.
  • PLUS says that ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the current label.

Dirk

Dirk shows a range of gluten-free Schär products in its online search results.

  • The search results give you options to compare different types of bread, including Meesterbakker bread.
  • Check whether the specific product is available at your local branch and read the packaging.

Lidl

Lidl has a page for extra gluten-free products alongside its regular range.

  • The range page helps you check whether extra gluten-free products are on offer.
  • Lidl says on that page that its extra gluten-free products are unavailable, so don’t rely on them alone when stocking up on bread for the first time.

ALDI

ALDI mentions gluten-free options on a page about baked snacks and rolls.

  • This category can be a useful starting point if you’re specifically looking for rolls.
  • Only choose a specific product for coeliac disease once you’ve checked the gluten-free claim and other information on the packaging.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose multiseed, spelt, sourdough or oat bread if I have coeliac disease?

No. The type of bread alone doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free. Choose bread with a clear gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging; for oat bread, also check the gluten-free status of the specific product.

What does ‘gluten-free’ on bread mean?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ can be stated if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the claim on the packaging of the bread you choose.

What should I ask about unpackaged bread or rolls?

Ask for the allergen information and the gluten-free status of the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods; the name of a loose roll alone isn’t enough to make this choice.

Does gluten-free bread automatically provide iodine through baker’s salt?

No. A gluten-free claim tells you nothing about whether baker’s salt has been used. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use this salt; for packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.

How can I keep gluten-free bread separate from ordinary bread at home?

Store it separately and prevent contact with crumbs and utensils used for ordinary bread. Use clean or separate knives, chopping boards and other surfaces when preparing the bread.