If you’re taking bread for someone with coeliac disease, choose a product whose specific packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the official Crossed Grain symbol. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ statement may only be used for food containing no more than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram. For a busy procession, it’s handy to prepare and wrap a separate portion in advance: check the label and prevent contact with ordinary bread and crumbs.
You want to be able to identify bread as gluten-free and prevent it coming into contact with ordinary bread while it’s being prepared or carried. The Dutch Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
You want to prepare a portion of bread before setting off and keep it clearly separate during a busy outdoor event. That way, you’ll have less bread and filling to handle at the procession.
You want to check which types of gluten-free bread a shop lists in advance. Then check the specific product and its packaging: the online range doesn’t tell you what’s on the pack you buy.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free and that you can prepare and carry it separately. Then choose between a larger loaf to portion at home, smaller rolls for eating on the go, or a mix you can bake with before you leave.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and keeping it separate | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging or the official Crossed Grain symbol. Use clean utensils to prepare it and keep the portion separate from ordinary bread. | If even a crumb of ordinary bread could be a problem, I want to keep my portion clearly separate. Around 50% of consumers put this reassurance first when making their choice. |
| A portion for eating on the go | Check whether you can portion and wrap the bread in advance. If you’re buying bake-at-home rolls, check whether you need to prepare them before setting off. | At the procession, I want to eat without having to slice or fill bread there and then. For around 30% of consumers, convenience when eating is the deciding factor. |
| Type of bread and choice of shop | Compare the specific loaf or rolls available at your shop, and check the current packaging before buying, even if you already know the product. | I want to find a suitable type of bread at my usual supermarket, rather than relying on an online category alone. This choice of shop and product comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Bread without wheat isn’t automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Even ingredients that are naturally gluten-free can come into contact with gluten during processing.
Check for a gluten-free statement or the official Crossed Grain symbol on the specific packaging, and read the allergen information.
The Dutch Nutrition Centre warns that even a bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. Sharing a knife or using packaging that has held ordinary bread can undo the separation.
Prepare the gluten-free portion with clean utensils and wrap it separately, clearly marking it before you leave.
Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. So the name of a loaf you know doesn’t tell you everything about the packaging you’re buying now.
Check the label on the product you’ve actually bought, even if you’ve taken the same type of bread with you before.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread and bread substitutes through baker’s salt. This doesn’t confirm the ingredients of every individual gluten-free loaf.
If you have questions about iodine, check the specific product and, if needed, discuss your dietary needs with a dietitian or doctor.
The online bread ranges at these shops can help you plan. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, choose a specific product only after checking its packaging and gluten-free labelling.
Albert Heijn lists a gluten-free bread category online, including own-brand products and Schär.
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread online from brands including Lekker Vrij, Schär and YAM.
PLUS lists own-brand gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread online, alongside branded products.
Dirk’s search results include gluten-free bread and Schär mini baguettes.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and regularly stocks gluten-free bake-at-home rolls.
Lidl describes a gluten-free range and publishes ingredient and allergen information for freshly baked bread.
This bread mix is for anyone who wants to bake their own bread before the Sinterklaas arrival parade and can then wrap a portion separately. Allow time for preparation and use clean, separate utensils; this isn’t a ready-to-eat roll for the journey.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to bake bread at home before setting off and wrap a portion separately afterwards.
1 kg of gluten-free bread mix; this isn’t a ready-made loaf. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, including soya, and read the preparation instructions before you start.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ statement may only be used if the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram. Check for this statement on the packaging of the specific loaf, not just in the shop’s online category.
Not automatically: ‘wheat-free’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘gluten-free’. If you have coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free statement or the official Crossed Grain symbol on the bread packaging.
If you have coeliac disease, only choose a specific oat product that is labelled gluten-free or carries the official Crossed Grain symbol. The Dutch Nutrition Centre points out that oats can come into contact with gluten-containing grains during production or processing.
Prepare the gluten-free portion before you leave, using clean utensils, and wrap it separately from ordinary bread and gluten-containing snacks. If possible, keep the packaging sealed until you’re ready to eat, so the portion stays clearly separate in the crowds.
You can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free bread’ category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt, but this doesn’t confirm the ingredients of a specific product. If you have a personal question about iodine, check the product information and, if needed, speak to a dietitian or doctor.
