Organisers with a guest who has coeliac disease
You’re not just choosing bread; you also need to plan how it will be opened and served. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that gluten cross-contamination must be prevented.
Who is this choice important for?
Caterers serving a mixed wedding buffet
You’re serving regular and gluten-free bread side by side. This requires clear allergen information, a separate area and clean, dedicated serving utensils. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how consumers must be given allergen information for non-prepacked products.
Organisers looking to offer a variety of breads
You might want to offer sliced bread as well as small rolls, without losing sight of the need to check each product. Before deciding how much you need, check the packaging, ingredients, allergens and pack size of every option.
What should you look for?
First, decide whether the entire buffet will be gluten-free or whether the gluten-free bread will be prepared and served separately from regular bread. Even for an entirely gluten-free buffet, you’ll need to check the ingredients and preparation of the other dishes. Then choose bread types that suit the way you’ll be serving them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free bread | Confirmed gluten-free labelling; separate preparation and clean, dedicated serving utensils. | If I’m inviting a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent the bread coming into contact with crumbs containing gluten during the buffet. Around 42% of consumers prioritise safe preparation and serving. |
| Bread type and portions | Sliced or small bread options, pack size and any preparation instructions. | I want bread that guests can easily help themselves to and that suits the buffet layout. For around 33% of consumers, the choice of bread types and portion sizes matters most. |
| Other allergens | The ingredients list and allergen information for each option. | If guests need to avoid ingredients other than gluten, I want to know what’s in each type of bread. This additional dietary check is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Fibre per 100 g and whether iodised salt is listed on the label. | If gluten-free bread is a regular part of the menu beyond the celebration, I pay more attention to its nutritional content. Around 8% of consumers give this information top priority. |
Common buffet mistakes
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Buying gluten-free bread without planning how it will be served
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, cross-contamination can happen after purchase too, for example through crumbs or shared kitchen utensils.
Agree in advance who will open and arrange the bread. Use a clean work surface, dedicated utensils and a clearly separate serving area.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens too
A gluten-free label doesn’t mean that bread is also free from ingredients such as soya, milk, egg or nuts. Allergens vary from product to product.
Check the packaging of every option. For loose rolls, ask the caterer or baker for the allergen information.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread doesn’t have to be made with bakers’ salt. The ingredients of the bread you choose therefore matter.
Check the label for iodised salt, especially if gluten-free bread will also be eaten regularly outside the buffet.
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Assuming a range of products means stock is guaranteed
A bread option shown online may not be available in the quantity you need at the time you want it.
Before the wedding, confirm the exact product, number of packs, use-by date and collection or delivery options with your chosen supplier.
Brands to consider
Bread types and allergen information vary between products. Use these brands as a starting point when choosing, not as a substitute for checking the packaging.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes multiseed bread, white bread and white rolls. This gives you a choice of formats to compare for your buffet.
- AH Glutenvrij Brood licht meerzaden half is sold in a 480 g pack and lists iodised salt.
- Check the label of your chosen product for other allergens and statements about possible traces.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij range includes both white and brown gluten-free bread. Compare the pack size with the number of buffet portions you’re planning.
- Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Bruin has a stated pack size of 500 g; the product information lists iodised salt and 6,4 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The information for this brown variety lists soya and possible traces of egg, milk and nuts. Check any additional dietary requirements separately.
Schär
Schär products come in several bread formats, including mini baguettes and sliced bread. The presentation you want will help you decide which option is practical for your buffet.
- The range of bread formats makes it possible to plan small portions and sliced bread separately.
- Check the ingredients, allergens, pack size and preparation method for each specific product; these can’t be determined from the brand name alone.
Products for rolls and home-baked bread
These two products suit different buffet preparations: mini baguettes to get ready for serving and a gluten-free mix for baking your own bread. Check the packaging of both, and keep preparation and serving separate from bread containing gluten for any guest with coeliac disease.
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Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces
An option if you want to prepare small rolls for the buffet. The product name states that there are seven pieces; check the pack contents before planning portions.
Before buying, confirm the gluten-free labelling, allergens and preparation instructions for this product. Keep the baguettes separate while the buffet is being served.
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Schär Bread Mix-Mix B Gluten Free, 1 kg
For a caterer or organiser who wants to bake gluten-free bread before the buffet. This is a 1 kg bread mix, not a loaf that’s ready to serve.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and use clean, separate equipment during preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheat-free bread suitable for a guest with coeliac disease?
Not necessarily: wheat-free and gluten-free don’t mean the same thing. Choose bread with confirmed gluten-free labelling or supplier information for that specific product.
How should I serve gluten-free bread alongside regular bread?
Keep the gluten-free bread separate during preparation and serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preventing cross-contamination, so use clean hands and dedicated utensils, open the bread as late as possible and set it out in a separate place where crumbs or used cutlery can’t reach it.
What allergen information can I ask for when buying loose rolls?
Before buying, ask the caterer or baker which allergens are present in the rolls. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must be given this information for non-prepacked foods, either verbally or in writing.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised salt?
No, check the specific bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using bakers’ salt isn’t compulsory; check the ingredients list for iodised salt or ask the baker which salt was used.