Who is this choice relevant to?

Host catering for a guest with coeliac disease

Wants to serve bread without mistaking regular wholemeal or spelt bread for a gluten-free option. The label on the pack takes priority over the type of bread you want.

Organiser of a meal to share

Is looking for a type of bread that suits the menu: pitta for a filling, a small roll for each person or sliced bread for the table. Whatever you choose, it still needs to be labelled gluten-free.

Shopper comparing nutritional information

Wants to compare ingredients, fibre and salt across the gluten-free range. If you’re also keeping an eye on iodine, check whether iodised salt is listed among the ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the label on the bread you want to serve. Once you’ve confirmed it’s gluten-free, you can compare the type of bread, followed by the other ingredients and nutritional information.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Gluten-free option Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging and read the ingredients and allergen information. If a guest has coeliac disease, I wouldn’t rely on words such as wholemeal or spelt. For around 50% of consumers, choosing gluten-free comes first.
Type of bread Choose a type to fill, bake or slice and share; check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free. For falafel, I’m looking for something I can fill, whereas I’d rather serve slices on a breadboard. Around 30% of consumers give priority to finding the right type.
Ingredients and nutritional information Compare fibre and salt per 100 g and check the allergen information if you have other allergies to consider. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt if that matters to your choice. Once I’ve settled on the type of bread, I want to know which ingredients and nutritional values I’m serving. This additional comparison matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing wholemeal, spelt or multigrain with gluten-free

    These words don’t tell you whether a loaf is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Wheat, rye and barley contain gluten; spelt is a type of wheat.

    Make the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label your first requirement. Only then compare the type of bread and its nutritional information.

  • Assuming an old product listing is still current

    A loaf shown on a product page may later be discontinued. Albert Heijn listed its gluten-free wholemeal pitta breads as discontinued; Jumbo did the same for a Céréal wholemeal loaf.

    Check shortly before you shop whether the type you want is available, and read the packaging of the product you actually buy.

  • Assuming all gluten-free bread has the same nutritional value

    Gluten-free breads can vary in ingredients, fibre and salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that baking bread with baker’s salt is not compulsory.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients list to see whether iodised salt has been used. Don’t assume this from the words ‘gluten-free’ or ‘multi-seed’ alone.

  • Checking only for gluten when there are multiple allergies

    A gluten-free label alone doesn’t tell you anything about other allergens that may matter to your guest.

    Ask which other allergens you need to avoid, and keep the packaging available when you serve the bread.

Brands and shops to explore

These shops offer different types of gluten-free bread and bread products. Compare the type of bread and the label on the specific product; a shop listing doesn’t mean that every bread it sells is gluten-free.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn stocks, among other things, gluten-free multi-seed loaves, rolls and products from Schär.

  • The range of bread types makes it possible to look for something for a breadboard or a dish with a filling.
  • The previously listed gluten-free wholemeal pitta breads were discontinued; check the current product range.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a gluten-free bread category, including Lekker Vrij van Gluten brown and white bread in 500 g packs.

  • The different types of bread make it easier to choose between brown and white.
  • A previously listed Céréal gluten-free wholemeal loaf was no longer shown as available online.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about gluten-free products and publishes ingredients and allergen information for fresh oven-baked bread.

  • The ingredients information can help you assess a specific bread product.
  • According to Lidl, its additional gluten-free range was unavailable at the time stated; don’t rely on a general range page when choosing.

Aldi

Aldi lists gluten-free options among its rolls and bake-at-home products, alongside regular bread.

  • If you’re looking for rolls to serve with a meal, you can check the gluten-free label on each individual product.
  • A regular wholemeal loaf from the standard range is not automatically gluten-free.

Plus

Plus stocks gluten-free bread, including its own multi-seed loaf and bread from Schär.

  • The product information for the PLUS multi-seed loaf lists its ingredients and nutritional information, making it possible to compare individual products.
  • ‘Multi-seed’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’; check the ingredients if that distinction matters to you.

Dirk

Dirk stocks, among other things, gluten-free products from Schär in loaf and bake-at-home formats.

  • Mini baguettes and flatbreads offer alternatives to sliced bread.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose.

A bread option at Joybuy

This product selection fits the idea of serving mini baguettes with your meal. Before buying, check whether the packaging labels the product as gluten-free and whether you’re buying bread rolls or a bread mix; this will determine how you can prepare it for the evening.

Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces

Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces

The mini baguette format could be a good fit if you’re serving small portions as part of a shared meal. The product name states that there are 7 pieces. Check the packaging for the gluten-free label, allergen information and preparation instructions, and see whether you’re buying rolls or a bread mix.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is regular wholemeal bread gluten-free?

No, ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean ‘gluten-free’. Wheat, rye and barley contain gluten, and spelt is a type of wheat. If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, choose bread that is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’.

Where should I start if a guest has coeliac disease?

Start by checking the gluten-free label on the packaging of the bread you want to serve. Also read the current ingredients and allergen information, especially if your guest has other allergies too. Only then choose between options such as pitta, small rolls and sliced bread.

Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that of every loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory. If it matters for your comparison, check the ingredients list of the bread you’ve chosen for iodised salt or baker’s salt.

Can I buy gluten-free bread in advance and freeze it?

Follow the storage and any freezing instructions for the specific product. Check them before buying if you want to stock up well ahead of the meal, and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.