Who is this relevant for?

Host with a guest who has coeliac disease

You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent it coming into contact with regular bread during preparation or serving.

Organiser of a shared snack spread

You’re looking for small bread formats to serve alongside other snacks, such as mini baguettes, ciabatta or pistolets.

Shopper comparing labels

As well as the gluten-free claim, you want to check each product’s ingredients, other allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free claim and planning how to prevent contact with regular bread. Then compare the format, preparation instructions and other label information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving gluten-free bread Look for the ‘gluten-free’ claim on the packaging and plan to use separate, clean equipment for preparation and serving. If a guest has coeliac disease, I want to check which bread I’m serving and avoid contact with crumbs from regular bread. For around 46% of consumers, this is their top concern when shopping.
Format and preparation Compare the number of pieces and the preparation instructions with what you want to serve at the table. For a shared snack spread, I want to be able to serve individual rolls without having to prepare more than I’ve planned for. Around 27% of consumers give format and convenience top priority.
Other label information Read the allergen information, nutritional values per 100 g and storage or freezing instructions. If guests also need to avoid other ingredients, or if there’s bread left over, I want to be able to compare products on that basis. This is the main shopping concern for around 27% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean a product is also free from ingredients such as milk, egg, soya or nuts.

    If a guest has additional allergies, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that prepacked products display allergen information on their labels.

  • Preparing gluten-free bread alongside regular bread

    Even after you’ve bought it, gluten-free bread can come into contact with regular bread through crumbs, kitchen utensils or shared spreads.

    Use a clean work surface, separate utensils and individual spreads. Keep the bread separate when serving it, too.

  • Taking a range page as confirmation that a product is in stock

    A listing of gluten-free products doesn’t mean the bread you want is available at your chosen shop.

    Check the specific product and the shop shortly before buying. Lidl’s page stated that additional gluten-free products were unavailable at the time.

  • Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised salt

    The ‘gluten-free’ claim doesn’t tell you what kind of salt has been used in the bread.

    If iodised salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt; this doesn’t confirm that they’re used in every loaf.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a gluten-free bread category, including AH Gluten-free Light Multiseed Bread, 480 g.

  • The product page lists freezing as a storage option.
  • The page also notes that other allergens may be present, so check the packaging on the bread you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s gluten-free bread range includes sliced bread, mini baguettes and ciabatta.

  • These different formats give you the choice of slices or individual portions of bread.
  • Check the current ingredients and availability of each product you’re considering.

Lidl

Lidl has a page for gluten-free products alongside its general bread range.

  • The page stated that additional gluten-free products were unavailable at the time. Base your choice on a specific product and current shop availability.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread among its bake-off rolls and snacks.

  • Bake-off rolls are worth considering if you want to prepare them just before serving.
  • Check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information for the specific rolls.

PLUS

PLUS’s online range includes gluten-free white bread, multiseed bread and pistolets.

  • You can compare different bread formats side by side.
  • PLUS notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the current label.

Dirk

Search results for gluten-free bread at Dirk include Schär Meisterbackers Classic, Meisterbackers Vital and Mini Baguette.

  • The formats shown include both bread for slicing and mini baguettes.
  • Check the product details and availability before shopping for your snack night.

Joybuy products for your snack night

These products offer two ways to plan bread for your snack spread: choose a small bread format or make your own bread from a mix. Before serving anything to a guest with coeliac disease, always check the specific product’s gluten-free claim, current label and preparation instructions.

Gv Mini Baguette, 7 pieces

Gv Mini Baguette, 7 pieces

The product name lists seven mini baguettes, a format to consider for individual portions. Before buying, check the packaging to see whether these are rolls or a mix that needs to be prepared; the product information gives conflicting preparation instructions. Also check the current gluten-free claim and allergen information.

View at Joybuy
Schär Mix B gluten-free bread mix, 1 kg

Schär Mix B gluten-free bread mix, 1 kg

This bread mix is a good fit if you can bake ahead of your snack night. According to the product information, you can knead the mix by hand or use a bread maker. Follow the instructions on the packaging and check how much bread it makes. Before use, also read the current ingredients and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What bread should I choose if someone with coeliac disease is joining us?

Choose bread clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and prevent it coming into contact with regular bread during preparation. Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim is subject to a limit of 20 mg of gluten per kg of the product sold to consumers.

Is gluten-free bread also free from other allergens?

No. The gluten-free claim says nothing about other allergens. If ingredients such as milk, egg, soya or nuts are relevant to a guest, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

How can I keep gluten-free bread separate when serving it?

Use a clean knife, a clean board and a separate serving plate for the gluten-free bread. Keep it away from crumbs from regular bread and shared spreads, too.

Does all gluten-free bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the gluten-free claim, so check the ingredients list for the bread you’re considering. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt, but that doesn’t establish the ingredients of any individual loaf.