Who is this relevant to?

Holidaymakers with coeliac disease

You’re looking for bread that’s clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread in a shared holiday kitchen.

Gluten-free eaters comparing fibre

You compare fibre per 100 g and the ingredients, but also want to know whether a loaf is actually labelled wholegrain. Its colour or the presence of seeds won’t tell you that.

Self-caterers shopping ahead

You want to take bread with you and store or freeze it as instructed, without skipping the label check or the need to use clean bread utensils.

What should you look for when choosing?

If someone with coeliac disease is eating with you, check the gluten-free label first. Only then compare whether the bread meets your preferences for wholegrain, fibre and storage.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free choice for coeliac disease Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Check the allergen information too. If someone with coeliac disease is eating with me, I don’t want to rely on the bread’s colour or the impression that it’s wheat-free. For around 50% of consumers, confidence that a product is gluten-free comes first.
Wholegrain and fibre Check for an explicit ‘wholegrain’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. After checking that it’s gluten-free, anyone specifically looking for wholegrain bread will want to know whether a brown loaf is more than just dark in colour. For around 30% of consumers, wholegrain and fibre are the main considerations.
Storage and use Read the storage instructions and best-before date; check whether the packaging says you can freeze it. I want to shop ahead without relying on a freezer that might not be available. For around 20% of consumers, ease of storage is the main follow-up consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming brown, dark or seeded bread is wholegrain

    Gluten-free bread can be dark or contain seeds without being labelled wholegrain. For example, Jumbo describes its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin as a bread made with tapioca starch.

    If you’re looking for wholegrain bread, check for an explicit label on the packaging and compare the fibre per 100 g separately.

  • Relying only on the online product information

    When choosing bread for your holiday home, the packaging of the loaf you actually take with you is what matters. So be sure to check the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions again.

    Read the label before use, especially if coeliac disease or another allergy is a consideration.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from other allergens

    A gluten-free label doesn’t mean the bread is also free from ingredients such as soya, egg, milk or nuts.

    Check both the listed ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for everyone who’ll be eating it.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo list iodised salt as an ingredient in the gluten-free breads mentioned here. That tells you nothing about the ingredients in another loaf.

    Check the individual packaging if the type of salt used is important to your choice.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half as bread from a dedicated gluten-free bakery.

  • The product information lists 9,6 g of fibre per 100 g and says to freeze it on the day of purchase.
  • ‘Dark seeded’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholegrain; check the allergens on the packaging too.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells Lekker Vrij van Gluten breads, including a brown variety.

  • For Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin, Jumbo lists the Crossed Grain symbol, 6,4 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
  • It’s described as being made with tapioca starch; ‘brown’ doesn’t confirm that it’s wholegrain. The product information lists soya and possible traces of other allergens.

PLUS

PLUS describes its Meerzaden glutenvrij as gluten-free bread made with tapioca starch, linseed and sunflower seeds.

  • The product information lists 7,285 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Oats and soya are listed as allergens. Check the rest of the allergen information on the packaging too.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include Schär Meisterbackers Classic as a gluten-free bread option.

  • The search results give you a product name to look for on the packaging.
  • Check the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and whether the chosen product is labelled wholegrain.

Lidl

Lidl has a bakery range, but a general selection of fresh bread doesn’t mean that a particular loaf is gluten-free.

  • Check each loaf individually using its packaging.
  • Don’t treat the bakery category as a substitute for a gluten-free product label.

ALDI

ALDI describes ordinary wholemeal bread in its daily fresh range.

  • A wholemeal label makes clear what type of bread is being described.
  • That doesn’t make ordinary wholemeal bread a gluten-free choice for someone with coeliac disease.

Bread option at Joybuy

This option consists of small rolls that you could consider taking with you for a stay in a holiday home. Before choosing them for someone with coeliac disease, check the current packaging and any preparation required; the product name doesn’t confirm that they’re wholegrain.

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

For anyone who wants to take small rolls to a holiday home. The product name says there are 7 pieces, but doesn’t say they’re wholegrain; check the current packaging for the gluten-free label and allergen information. Before buying, find out whether you’re getting rolls to bake off or a mix, and what preparation they need.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is ‘wheat-free’ enough if someone with coeliac disease is eating with me?

No. ‘Wheat-free’ isn’t the same as ‘gluten-free’: gluten can also come from other grains. The Voedingscentrum recommends identifying gluten-free products by the ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol; also read the label on the bread you buy.

Is dark gluten-free seeded bread wholegrain too?

Not automatically. The gluten-free breads mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are described as dark, brown or seeded; those words alone don’t confirm that they’re wholegrain. Check for an explicit wholegrain label and compare fibre per 100 g if that’s important to your choice.

Can I freeze gluten-free bread in advance for my holiday home?

Yes, if the instructions for that bread allow it. For AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half, Albert Heijn says to freeze it on the day of purchase and use it within one month. Follow the instructions on the packaging for any other bread.

How can I keep gluten-free bread separate from ordinary bread in a holiday home?

Use separate or thoroughly cleaned bread utensils, and keep crumbs from ordinary bread away from the gluten-free bread. Take particular care with shared chopping boards, knives and toasters if someone with coeliac disease is eating with you.