If you’re choosing bread for an older person with coeliac disease, look for the ‘gluten-free’ label. Under European Commission Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food sold as gluten-free can contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Then compare the fibre per 100 g, other allergens, whether iodised salt is listed and the portion size. For a coffee break, individual rolls may be more practical than a whole loaf, provided you also check the preparation and storage instructions.
If you’re serving bread to someone with coeliac disease, the ‘gluten-free’ label is an important first thing to check. The European Commission sets a limit of no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the product as sold. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the labelling requirements.
If you eat bread regularly, you can compare the fibre content on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre and drinking enough fluids as things to bear in mind after the age of 70.
For a coffee visit, small rolls or bake-at-home products can be handy. Check the label, preparation instructions and availability of your chosen product in advance.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and allergens | Check the ‘gluten-free’ label, ingredients and information about any other relevant allergens on the current packaging. | If I’m serving bread to someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on it simply appearing to be wheat-free. This certainty comes first for around 50% of consumers. |
| Fibre and iodised salt | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt. | If bread is served regularly, I want to be able to take the nutritional information into account. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portions and availability | Check the number of rolls, the preparation and storage instructions, and current availability at your chosen shop. | For a coffee visit, I want to be able to plan portions and have the bread ready in time. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
‘Wheat-free’ is not the same as ‘gluten-free’. For the latter, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the food as sold.
If you’re choosing bread for someone with coeliac disease, look for the ‘gluten-free’ label and check the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.
The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre and drinking enough fluids as things to bear in mind after the age of 70.
Compare the stated fibre per 100 g. Check separately for iodised salt or baker’s salt if you also want to take that ingredient choice into account.
Gluten-free bread may contain ingredients or carry warnings that matter to a guest with another allergy. For example, Albert Heijn states that its gluten-free light multiseed bread may contain egg, milk, soya, oats, lactose, almonds and hazelnuts.
If there are additional allergies, check the current packaging every time, even if you’ve bought the same bread before.
A shop listing gluten-free bread products doesn’t mean the item you want will be available for your coffee get-together.
Check availability before shopping for guests and, if necessary, have another suitable gluten-free product as a back-up.
These examples can help you narrow down the product types and labels to look for. Features of one loaf don’t necessarily apply to the rest of a range.
Albert Heijn offers its own 480 g gluten-free light multiseed bread, among other products.
Schär sells packaged gluten-free bread and rolls, which are listed by shops including Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk.
Jumbo lists several types of gluten-free bread from Consenza, including frozen bread, small rolls and bagels.
PLUS lists its own gluten-free bread and rolls, as well as bread from Schär.
Dirk’s search results include Schär Meisterbackers Classic, Meisterbackers Vital and Mini Baguette as gluten-free bread options.
ALDI includes gluten-free bread and rolls in its bread and bake-at-home range.
This selection focuses on small gluten-free rolls that you can bake at home. Before serving them to someone with coeliac disease, check the current packaging and look out for any other relevant allergens.
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A handy option if you’d like to serve individual rolls with coffee and bake them at home.
The pack contains 7 pieces. Before serving, check the current gluten-free label, information about other allergens and the baking instructions.
No. If you’re choosing bread for someone with coeliac disease, look for a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current ingredients and allergen information. Under European Commission Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food sold as gluten-free can contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
No, the gluten-free label tells you nothing about the fibre content. If fibre is one of your priorities, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights fibre and drinking enough fluids as things to bear in mind after the age of 70.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of your chosen bread to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
Follow the instructions for the specific bread. Albert Heijn says its gluten-free light multiseed bread can be frozen on the day of purchase. For other products, check separately how and when to store, defrost or bake them.
No, an online range doesn’t guarantee that a particular shop has an item in stock. Before your coffee break, check whether the product you want is available, and read the label on that exact product when you buy it.
