If a child with coeliac disease is coming, choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ for them, and keep it separate from ordinary bread during storage, preparation and serving. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a single bread crumb can cause symptoms. You can serve wholemeal bread to guests without a gluten-free dietary requirement. When choosing a gluten-free alternative, compare the ingredients and fibre content separately, as ‘gluten-free’ does not automatically mean ‘wholemeal’.
They need a bread product clearly labelled gluten-free, and a way to serve it without it coming into contact with ordinary bread or crumbs. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
They want to offer ordinary wholemeal bread while also preparing a separate gluten-free option for the child who needs it.
For them, nutritional information matters as well as the gluten-free label. If ordinary bread is replaced regularly, ingredients and fibre deserve particular attention. The Voedingscentrum also highlights bread made with baker’s salt as a source of iodine.
If not all the children eat the same bread, you can serve wholemeal bread to the other guests alongside a gluten-free option that has been prepared and served separately.
When: for a child with coeliac disease or a strict gluten-free diet specified by their parents.
What to bear in mind: keep preparation and serving separate too; the gluten-free label alone tells you nothing about the fibre content.
When: for guests who do not have a gluten-free dietary requirement.
What to bear in mind: don’t put it on the same board or serving plate as the bread for a child with coeliac disease.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free bread | Check the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and plan to use separate, clean utensils and toppings. | If a child has coeliac disease, I want to make sure their bread does not come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs when it’s served. For around 46% of consumers, keeping gluten-free food separate is the top priority. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the number of pieces and any preparation instructions on the packaging, and confirm that the product is currently available. | When handing out food to children, I want to be able to give them a separate portion without mixing up the types of bread. Around 27% of consumers give practical serving considerations the highest priority. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. If bread is being replaced regularly, consider the rest of the diet too. | If my child eats gluten-free bread regularly, I want to know how its fibre content compares with their usual bread. This nutritional comparison comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Store gluten-free bread separately from ordinary bread and use a separate, clean board, knife, tongs, plate and toppings.
These terms don’t tell you how much fibre a product contains. This distinction matters particularly if gluten-free bread regularly replaces ordinary wholemeal bread.
Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre content per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Product information and ranges can change, while a child on a strict gluten-free diet needs a suitable option.
Check the specific product and its packaging before the party, and plan a suitable alternative with a clear gluten-free label in good time.
Finding a replacement product at the last minute can take extra time.
Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes bread and rolls, among other products.
Jumbo has an online gluten-free bread category featuring both own-brand and branded products.
PLUS lists brown, white and multiseed bread labelled gluten-free online, among other products.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and rolls in its bakery range.
Dirk’s search results for gluten-free bread include products from Schär, among others.
Lidl lists gluten-free options in its range, alongside additional products that vary over time.
This bread option is worth considering as an individual portion for a children’s party. If it’s for a child with coeliac disease, first check that the current packaging carries a ‘gluten-free’ label, and keep the product separate from ordinary bread.
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An option to consider if you want to hand out individual portions of bread at a children’s party.
Before buying, check the product type, number of pieces and preparation method on the current packaging.
If the bread is for a child with coeliac disease, check the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and use separate, clean utensils for preparation and serving.
No. Guests without a gluten-free dietary requirement don’t need to. Give the child with coeliac disease a separate gluten-free option and make sure it doesn’t come into contact with ordinary bread or crumbs.
Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging. Then keep the bread separate from ordinary bread: a suitable label won’t prevent cross-contamination during preparation or serving.
Use a separate, clean board and a clean knife for bread intended for someone with coeliac disease. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a bread crumb can cause symptoms.
Not automatically: ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you about the fibre content or overall nutritional value. If you’re replacing bread regularly, compare the ingredients and fibre content of the product you choose. The Voedingscentrum also highlights nutrients supplied by ordinary bread, including iodine from baker’s salt.
