People with coeliac disease looking for raisin bread
You’re looking for something to enjoy at the same time of day as a currant bun. The gluten-free label on the finished product matters more than the brand name or familiar bun shape.
If you’re looking for an alternative to currant buns because of coeliac disease, first choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’; an organic label is no substitute for checking this. If organic is also a requirement, check the product’s organic certification separately. Gluten-free raisin bread offers a different format to an individual currant bun, while an organic, gluten-free raisin cracker is a crunchy alternative. If you need both qualities and want to keep the bun shape, you can bake your own using carefully checked ingredients.
You’re looking for something to enjoy at the same time of day as a currant bun. The gluten-free label on the finished product matters more than the brand name or familiar bun shape.
You want to be able to check that the product meets both requirements. A gluten-free label on its own says nothing about organic certification, and vice versa.
When choosing a bread alternative, you’ll also want to check the type of salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt, so check whether the label lists iodised salt or baker’s salt.
First check that the finished product is labelled gluten-free and, if organic is a requirement, check its organic certification too. Then choose between raisin bread, crackers or homemade buns, depending on the format you need.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free for coeliac disease | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the finished product and read the current ingredients and allergen information. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, the label may be used when the product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to choose a raisin product without relying on its name or colour. For around 33% of consumers, confidence in the gluten-free label is the deciding factor. |
| Organic certification | Check the EU organic logo and the code of the control body on the packaging of the specific product. | If I buy organic, I want to be able to check that a gluten-free alternative is certified too. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Format and how you’ll use it | Check whether you’re buying individual buns, sliced raisin bread or crackers, and look at the pack size. | When I’m out and about, I’d rather take a soft individual bun with me than a cracker or slice of bread. For around 20% of consumers, the format is the main consideration. |
| Everyday use | Check whether the product contains iodised salt or baker’s salt, and check the current packaging and availability. | If I often replace standard bread, I want to know what type of salt the alternative contains and whether the packaging matches what I expect. For around 20% of consumers, everyday practicality is the main consideration. |
They are separate requirements. An organic currant bun isn’t automatically gluten-free, and gluten-free raisin bread isn’t automatically organically certified.
Check for the gluten-free label first. Then, if organic is a requirement for you, look for the EU organic logo and the control body’s code.
Raisins or an artisanal appearance tell you nothing about whether a product contains gluten. Standard currant buns made with wheat are not a gluten-free alternative.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So an organic or gluten-free label won’t tell you what type of salt has been used.
Check the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the baker what type of salt they use.
A product’s ingredients and dietary or allergen information can change. An older product listing also doesn’t necessarily reflect current availability.
Check the packaging, product format and current store information just before you buy.
These brands offer options in different product formats. Always check each product’s gluten-free and organic labels individually.
An option to consider if you’re looking for gluten-free raisin bread and don’t necessarily need an individual currant bun.
PLUS describes Yam Raisin as gluten-free raisin bread, rather than individual currant buns.
A brand to consider if you need a product to be both gluten-free and organic, but are open to a different format.
Odenwald Organic Bakery has separate ranges called Odenwald Organic and Odenwald Glutenfree.
No. Organic certification doesn’t mean that a product is gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, check for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the finished product and read the current ingredients and allergen information.
Check the EU organic logo on the packaging of the specific product. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised control body. For pre-packed products, check the control code too.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the baker.
Check the current gluten-free label, ingredients and allergens on the packaging. If organic is a requirement for you, check the organic label too. Also check the type of salt and storage instructions if they affect your choice.