For a child with coeliac disease, choose bread clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and agree with the nursery how it will be stored, prepared and served separately. Then compare the type of bread, other allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions for the exact product. Suitable packaging alone will not prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread.
If you organise lunches regularly, you need both clearly identifiable gluten-free bread and clear arrangements. Parents and nursery staff need to know how the bread will be stored and prepared without coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread.
Before setting off, check the label on the exact bread and agree how the nursery will open the packaging, store the bread and serve the lunch.
If gluten-free bread is part of your regular shop, it matters whether you can find the product you’ve chosen again. If you switch to a different bread, check its packaging and review the arrangements with the nursery too.
For a nursery lunch when a child has coeliac disease, the ‘gluten-free’ label and a process that prevents cross-contamination come first. After that, you can compare the type of bread, nutritional information and practicalities of shopping.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and protected from cross-contamination | Check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and agree how the bread and fillings will be prepared using clean hands and clean utensils. | When I prepare lunch for a child with coeliac disease, I want to prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread even after opening the packaging. For around 33% of consumers, checking for gluten comes first. |
| A practical nursery routine | Read the storage instructions and ask who at the nursery is responsible for storing, preparing and serving the food. | When different staff members look after lunch, I want everyone to be able to follow the same arrangements. For around 27% of consumers, practicality is the top priority. |
| Type of bread and product ingredients | Compare the type of bread, ingredients, other allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging. | I’m looking for a type of bread the child will eat that also fits any additional dietary requirements. For around 20% of consumers, this choice of product matters most. |
| Availability | Check the exact product at your chosen shop and have any substitute checked in advance. | For regular lunch days, I don’t want to have to find a different bread at the last minute. This is the main concern when shopping for around 20% of consumers. |
Even suitable bread can come into contact with crumbs after opening, through hands, knives, chopping boards or shared spreads. The Dutch Coeliac Society therefore highlights the need to prevent cross-contamination.
Before the first lunch, agree who will open the bread, where it will be stored and which clean utensils will be used to prepare it.
Other allergens need to be checked separately. For example, PLUS lists soya and possible traces of lupin, mustard and sesame for a gluten-free Schär multigrain loaf.
Check the allergen information for the bread the child will actually take with them, and make a note of any additional arrangements separately.
A category page shows bread options, but it doesn’t tell you which variety is available at your shop and fits your lunch plans. A substitute product may also have a different label.
Check the exact bread before the regular lunch day and agree in advance which substitute would be suitable.
The fact that baker’s salt with iodine may be used in bread doesn’t mean it is in every gluten-free loaf.
If this ingredient matters to your choice, read the ingredients list for the specific product.
Albert Heijn’s online category features gluten-free own-brand bread alongside bread from Schär and Consenza.
PLUS stocks, among other things, gluten-free white own-brand bread, gluten-free bread rolls and bread from Schär.
Dirk’s search results include Schär Meisterbackers Classic, Meisterbackers Vital and gluten-free mini baguettes.
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread in its information about bread and bake-at-home products.
Lidl refers to its range of gluten-free products, but a general mention of the range doesn’t tell you which specific bread to choose.
Consenza describes a range of fresh gluten-free bread, including bread rolls and hearth loaves.
This bread mix is an option if you can bake gluten-free bread at home before sending it to the nursery. Allow time for preparation when planning lunch, and agree separate storage and serving arrangements with the nursery.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to bake gluten-free bread before a nursery lunch; this is a mix, not ready-made bread.
1 kg pack. Before use, check the current label for other allergens and agree with the nursery how the baked bread will be stored and served.
No. The label helps you choose a product, but preparation must also prevent cross-contamination. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a product may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold. You should also agree how the nursery will store and prepare the bread after opening.
Not unless there is a process in place to prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using clean hands and clean utensils for gluten-free food. Before lunch, agree with the nursery who will use which utensils.
No. Check the label of the exact bread for other allergens separately. For example, PLUS lists soya and possible traces of lupin, mustard and sesame for a gluten-free Schär multigrain loaf.
No. Don’t assume every loaf contains the same ingredients. Check the ingredients list for the specific gluten-free bread if iodised baker’s salt matters to your choice.
