Someone supporting a person with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a bread alternative labelled ‘gluten-free’ and want to prevent it coming into contact with ordinary bread crumbs, toppings or serving utensils during the procession.
Who is this choice important for?
An organiser who wants to serve food quickly
You want to be able to set out bread in advance or bake rolls just before serving. You’ll also need to consider whether an oven and a separate, clean preparation area are available.
A gluten-free eater comparing nutritional information
As well as checking that it’s labelled gluten-free, you look at the fibre per 100 g, other allergens and the ingredients, including whether it contains iodised salt.
What should you consider when choosing?
Start by checking that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’, then choose a type of bread that suits your preparations and serving arrangements.
Packaged gluten-free bread
When: If you want to shop before the procession and serve it without using an oven.
Consider: Dark multigrain bread isn’t rye bread; once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Gluten-free bake-at-home rolls
When: If you have an oven and a clean preparation area available just before serving.
Consider: You’ll need to allow time for baking and keep the rolls separate from ordinary bread.
Bake your own bread with a gluten-free bread mix
When: If you want to make bread yourself well in advance, using separate ingredients and equipment.
Consider: A bread mix isn’t ready to serve straight away; check the full baking instructions before planning around it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ and plan to use clean, separate serving utensils. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, products labelled this way can contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the finished product. | If I’m taking bread for someone with coeliac disease, I want to prevent contact with ordinary crumbs, even at a crowded serving table. This gluten-safety check is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| When it’s served | Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs baking, and whether an oven will be available just before the procession. | I want to be able to hand out portions without having to prepare bread at the busiest time. Practical serving is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and where to shop | If needed, compare fibre per 100 g and the ingredients, including iodised salt; also check availability at your shop. | If bread is a regular part of the menu, I want to compare the nutritional information and have the chosen product at home in time. Around 20% of consumers give this combination top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark bread is gluten-free rye bread
A dark colour or a claim about fibre says nothing about gluten. Rye contains gluten, so ordinary rye bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging and choose an alternative that is explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’.
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Putting a gluten-free product on a shared serving table
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. A shared knife, board or topping can also lead to contact with ordinary bread.
Keep the bread separate until it’s time to serve, and use clean, separate utensils and toppings.
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Relying on a product without checking shop availability
An online range doesn’t guarantee that a bread alternative will be available at your local branch. Lidl, for example, said that additional gluten-free products were temporarily unavailable.
Check availability in advance and decide which other shop or packaged alternative will work for you.
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Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised baker’s salt
The Voedingscentrum says that bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt.
If you follow a gluten-free diet regularly, check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free bread products online, including products from Schär.
- You can browse the gluten-free bread range in advance.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. Check the packaging of the product you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo has an online gluten-free bread category that includes products from Schär.
- The category makes it easier to look for a packaged bread alternative.
- Check the range in your delivery area or shop, and read the current packaging.
PLUS
PLUS has product pages for gluten-free bread and Schär mini baguettes.
- The Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn page provides product information; the Schär Mini Baguette page says to bake for 5–7 minutes at 200 °C.
- Follow the instructions on the product you actually buy, and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging too.
Dirk
Dirk lists a product page for Schär Meisterbackers Classic gluten-free bread, 300 g.
- This gives you a specific product to look for when you visit a shop.
- Check availability at your local branch and inspect the packaging before serving.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free bread and bake-at-home options on its bakery page.
- A shop worth considering if you’re still looking for a bread alternative.
- Check the packaging and availability at the branch for the specific product you’re considering.
Lidl
Lidl provides information about its gluten-free range.
- You can check in advance which gluten-free options are listed.
- Lidl said additional gluten-free products were temporarily unavailable, so check the current range before you set off.
Products to help you prepare
These Joybuy products suit two ways of preparing bread for the procession: baking your own with a gluten-free mix or choosing mini baguettes after checking their product type and preparation instructions. They aren’t a like-for-like replacement for ordinary rye bread.
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Schär Mix B gluten-free bread mix, 1 kg
For anyone who wants to bake gluten-free bread well before the procession. The pack contains 1 kg of bread mix; according to the Joybuy product information, you can make it by hand or in a bread maker.
This isn’t ready-made bread. Check the full baking instructions on the packaging and prepare it separately from ingredients and equipment that contain gluten. The product information says the mix contains soya.
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Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces
An option to consider if you want to serve mini baguettes at the procession; the product title lists seven pieces.
Before buying, check whether the packaging labels the product ‘gluten-free’ and whether the rolls need baking or the dough still needs to be prepared. Follow those instructions when planning, and use clean, separate equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary rye bread gluten-free?
No. Rye contains gluten, so ordinary rye bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Choose an alternative whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
Can a gluten-free roll sit next to ordinary rolls?
Only if you can prevent contact with ordinary rolls and crumbs. Keep the gluten-free product separate and use a clean plate, serving tongs and separate toppings.
What can I serve just before the procession?
A gluten-free bake-at-home roll may be suitable if you have an oven and a separate preparation area. For the Schär Mini Baguette, PLUS recommends 5–7 minutes at 200 °C; for any other product, always check its own packaging instructions. If you don’t have an oven, you can arrange packaged gluten-free bread in advance.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers don’t have to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list to find out which salt a particular loaf contains.