If you have coeliac disease, choose bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free and keep it away from crumbs from ordinary bread at home. Then compare the ingredients, fibre, other allergens and salt used on each pack. Words such as ‘wholemeal’, ‘multiseed’ or ‘brown’ are no substitute for these checks.
They look for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when slicing, storing and adding toppings, too. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risks posed by shared chopping boards and knives, among other things.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, they want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information, particularly the fibre per 100 g. If you are also keeping an eye on your iodine intake, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label to see whether baker’s salt has been used.
They also need to check the ingredients and information about possible traces for their chosen product. Gluten-free bread is not automatically suitable if, for example, you have an allergy to soya, egg, milk, sesame or mustard.
Start by checking that the exact product is labelled gluten-free. Then consider how you will use the bread at home and which other features matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and crumb-free handling | Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and consider whether you can use clean utensils and a crumb-free surface at home. | If I have coeliac disease, I want bread that is clearly labelled and a way to prepare it without contact with ordinary bread. This combination is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and salt | Compare the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients; check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt. | People who eat bread regularly want to assess how a gluten-free alternative fits into their diet in terms of fibre and ingredients. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Other allergens and availability | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information for your chosen product, and check availability shortly before buying. | If I have another food allergy, I want to find bread whose other ingredients are suitable and that I can actually buy. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
These words do not mean the bread is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. The European Commission sets a maximum of 20 mg of gluten per kg of food sold to consumers for a product to be labelled ‘gluten-free’.
Check that the pack of bread you are buying is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
According to the product information, Céréal Gluten Free Lactose Free Wholemeal Bread listed by Jumbo may contain egg, milk, mustard, sesame and soya, among other things. The gluten-free label does not tell you whether these allergens are present.
For every product you choose, read both the ingredients and the information about possible traces.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs from ordinary bread can get onto gluten-free bread via a chopping board, knife or shared butter.
Clean your worktop and kitchen utensils, store the bread separately and watch out for crumbs in shared spreads, too.
Baker’s salt contains iodine, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use it. The name ‘gluten-free’ or ‘wholemeal’ does not tell you which salt has been used.
Check the label to see which salt has been used if the iodine in bread is important to your diet.
These shops list different types of gluten-free bread or mention gluten-free bread options. Always check the pack you have chosen and availability at your shop before buying.
The online gluten-free bread category includes AH own-brand products and other brands, including Schär and Consenza.
Jumbo lists products including Céréal Gluten Free Lactose Free Wholemeal Bread on a dedicated product page.
Lidl lists gluten-free options in its range and also promotes additional gluten-free products.
Aldi mentions gluten-free bread alongside other bread options in its bakery information.
PLUS’s online gluten-free bread category includes own-brand products and other brands, including YAM.
Dirk’s search results include gluten-free bread options from brands such as Schär.
Baking at home is a different option from buying ready-sliced gluten-free bread. This bread mix is for anyone who wants to bake at home. You should still check the ingredients and avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread.
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For anyone who wants to bake gluten-free bread at home instead of buying it ready-made. This is a 1 kg bread mix, not sliced bread; the ‘gluten-free’ label does not mean the baked bread has the same composition as wholemeal bread. The product information lists soya, so check the ingredients if you have a soya allergy. Also check which salt you use when baking if iodine is a consideration in your diet.
According to the European Commission, bread sold to consumers may carry this label if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you have coeliac disease, choose bread based on the explicit gluten-free label, not just words such as ‘brown’ or ‘wholemeal’.
Yes. According to the product information, Céréal Gluten Free Lactose Free Wholemeal Bread listed by Jumbo may contain egg, milk, mustard, sesame and soya. If you have an additional allergy, read the ingredients and information about possible traces on the pack of your chosen product.
Use clean kitchen utensils and a crumb-free worktop, and store the bread separately from ordinary bread. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the risk of contact via shared knives, chopping boards and butter.
No, you cannot tell from the name of the bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers do not have to use it. Check the label to see which salt has been used if the iodine in bread is relevant to your diet.
Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk list gluten-free bread options online. Aldi mentions gluten-free bread in its bakery range, and Lidl promotes gluten-free options. This does not tell you which product is suitable for any additional allergies you have or whether it is available at your shop. Check the exact product shortly before buying.
