If you have coeliac disease, prioritise the gluten-free claim on the packaging and make sure the bread does not come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread or cake when served. Then choose a format that suits your coffee break, such as small rolls or mini baguettes, and check the full allergen information if you have other allergies too. A bread mix is an option if you want to make bread yourself in advance, but it is not ready to serve straight away.
A clear gluten-free claim and careful handling to prevent crumbs matter more than convenience when serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a small amount of gluten, such as a stray bread crumb, can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Small rolls, ciabatta or mini baguettes can be handy to serve alongside cake. Even with a small bread product like this, check the packaging: its shape tells you nothing about whether it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
If you’ll also serve the same bread at breakfast or lunch, it’s useful to compare the nutritional information per 100 g, ingredients and any other allergens. Don’t judge by the colour or the name ‘multiseed’ alone.
Start with the gluten-free claim and how you’ll serve the bread. Then compare the product format and ingredients, depending on what matters most for your coffee break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and crumbs | Read the current gluten-free claim and keep the bread separate from ordinary bread and cake when serving. If you wish, check whether the Crossed Grain symbol appears on the packaging. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I want to prevent even a crumb of ordinary cake from getting onto the gluten-free bread; for around 50% of consumers, protection from gluten contact comes first. |
| Size and preparation | Check that the portion size suits your group and whether the product needs baking or preparation before serving. | For a small coffee break, I want something I can serve without cutting into a whole loaf; around 30% of consumers give top priority to a serving size that suits the occasion. |
| Ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose. | If the bread is also intended for breakfast or lunch, I want to be able to assess the nutritional information and any other allergens; around 20% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
A gluten-free claim tells you nothing about all the other ingredients. For example, the product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin lists soya and possible traces of egg, milk and nuts.
If you have another allergy, check both the allergen information and the warning about possible traces on the current packaging.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. So even a suitable product can be at risk of coming into contact with gluten when served.
Use a clean plate and clean utensils, and keep the gluten-free bread separate from ordinary bread and cake.
Fibre, salt and ingredients vary from one bread to another. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt; this does not mean that every gluten-free bread contains iodised salt.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients list for the bread you choose if iodised salt is relevant to your decision.
A category or search page doesn’t show what’s in your local shop at the time you buy. Ingredients and allergen information for a product can also change.
Check the specific item before buying, and read the packaging again before use.
This shop information can help you find the right bread format; if you have coeliac disease or other allergies, always check the individual product.
Albert Heijn lists its own gluten-free bread alongside products such as rolls, mini baguettes and sweet bread products.
Jumbo lists a range of gluten-free bread formats, including brown and white bread, ciabatta and mini baguettes.
PLUS lists its own gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread, alongside products from other brands.
Dirk’s search results include gluten-free bread products from Schär, such as Meisterbäcker varieties and smaller bread formats.
Lidl has a page about gluten-free products and distinguishes additional products from its standard range.
ALDI has a general category for bread and bakery products.
Below are two different ways to serve gluten-free bread with coffee: mini baguettes that you bake at home, and a bread mix for anyone who wants to make bread in advance. They require different preparation.
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An option if you want to serve individual rolls with coffee. The packaging lists seven mini baguettes; bear in mind that you’ll need to bake them at home, and check the contents and allergen information on the current packaging.
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An option if you want to make the bread yourself before your coffee break, but not if you need bread that’s ready to serve straight away. This is a 1 kg bread mix; if you have a soya allergy, check the current allergen information on the packaging.
According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used for a food sold to the final consumer if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. The claim says nothing about the absence of other allergens.
No, it isn’t the only way bread can be labelled as gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that a product bearing this symbol contains less than 20 ppm of gluten and that the manufacturer meets additional requirements for gluten-free production. Check the packaging of the bread you buy to see whether the logo is present.
Serve the gluten-free bread separately and use clean utensils and serving equipment to prevent crumbs from ordinary cake or bread getting onto it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that even a small amount of gluten can matter to someone with coeliac disease.
You can’t assume this is true of every loaf. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread and other bakery products through bakers’ salt. If iodised salt is relevant to your decision, check the ingredients list for the specific bread.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. Albert Heijn says that AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half can be frozen on the day of purchase; for a Schär loaf, PLUS recommends using it within a few days of opening or freezing it straight away. Keep the bread separate from crumbs containing gluten while it’s in storage too.
