If you’re catering for a conference guest with coeliac disease, choose a roll labelled gluten-free and arrange for it to be prepared and served separately. Albert Heijn and PLUS list gluten-free white and multiseed crusty rolls; if the specific shape isn’t essential, you could also consider another type of gluten-free roll. Check the exact product before ordering, and avoid contact with crumbs or shared fillings when serving.
Arranges not only a suitable gluten-free roll, but also separate preparation and serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that ordinary bread crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread, for example via a chopping board.
Wants the gluten-free option to fit in with the rest of the conference lunch, and therefore compares specific crusty rolls with rolls in other shapes. Albert Heijn and PLUS list gluten-free crusty rolls, while Dirk also lists other types of gluten-free roll.
Needs a back-up option in case the crusty roll they want isn’t available. Another gluten-free roll may work, provided its shape is suitable for the lunch and the exact product is confirmed in advance.
Choose these if: the crusty-roll shape is part of the agreed conference lunch. Albert Heijn and PLUS list white and multiseed varieties.
Bear in mind: confirm the exact product and check the packaging when it arrives; PLUS notes that product information may change.
Choose these if: a suitable gluten-free option matters more than the exact crusty-roll shape. Dirk lists, among other options, gluten-free Schär Kaiser rolls and ciabatta.
Bear in mind: don’t describe an alternative like this as a crusty roll, and check the portion size and any preparation needed for each product.
| Point to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served separately | Check that the product is labelled gluten-free, and arrange separate chopping equipment, fillings and serving utensils. | If I’m arranging lunch for a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent ordinary bread crumbs getting onto their gluten-free roll. Around 42% of consumers put this safe separation first. |
| Crusty-roll shape | Decide whether a crusty roll is essential, then check the shape of the bread and the number of rolls in each pack. | If all the lunch rolls need to be the same shape, I want to be able to choose a crusty roll for the gluten-free option too. Around 33% of consumers put the shape of the bread first. |
| Availability and preparation | Confirm the product with your chosen shop and check whether the roll needs baking or any other preparation. | If availability varies, I want to be able to secure a suitable gluten-free roll in good time, even if it isn’t a crusty roll. Around 25% of consumers prioritise practicality. |
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread via a chopping board. Shared knives or fillings can also bring the separate portion into contact with gluten.
Keep the gluten-free portion separate and use dedicated equipment and fillings, with a clearly marked place for serving it.
A grain name or description of the bread doesn’t replace a gluten-free product label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wheat, including spelt, as a grain that contains gluten.
Check the gluten-free label and the latest allergen information for the roll you choose.
Ingredients and allergen information can change; PLUS explicitly points this out for its gluten-free crusty rolls.
Check the label on the packaging when it arrives and make sure the catering team has that information.
A gluten-free loaf or Kaiser roll won’t necessarily have the shape you’re looking for. A general gluten-free category also doesn’t confirm which specific roll you can use for lunch.
Agree in advance whether a different bread shape is acceptable. If it isn’t, confirm a specific gluten-free crusty roll before planning the lunch.
Albert Heijn lists AH Gluten-Free White Crusty Rolls and AH Gluten-Free Multiseed Crusty Rolls.
PLUS lists gluten-free crusty rolls in white and multiseed varieties.
Dirk lists gluten-free Schär Kaiser rolls and ciabatta, among other alternatives.
Jumbo has a gluten-free category and lists gluten-free breads from brands including Schär, Yam and Céréal.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread in its information about its bake-at-home range.
Use Lidl only as a back-up after confirming a specific gluten-free product.
The mini baguettes below are an option for a conference lunch where a different bread shape from a crusty roll is acceptable. Check the packaging and any preparation needed before planning to serve them to guests with coeliac disease.
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A different type of bread for the conference lunch if crusty rolls aren’t essential.
Before ordering, check whether the mini baguettes need baking or other preparation. When they arrive, check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the packaging, including whether it mentions soya, lupin or mustard if these are relevant to a guest.
Yes, but prepare and serve the gluten-free portion separately if it’s for a guest with coeliac disease. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that bread crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread via shared equipment, so use separate chopping equipment, fillings and serving utensils.
Make sure guests can get the allergen information for the specific roll. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about unpackaged products must be given to consumers in a way other than on packaging. Keep the information about the bread and fillings used available to the catering team.
No, don’t assume that every product has the same ingredients. If using iodised baker’s salt is relevant to your menu planning, check the ingredients list for the crusty roll you choose.
