If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, first choose bread whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol, and keep it separate from regular bread during preparation and serving. Then choose a type that suits your Easter lunch: sliced bread for sandwiches, individual rolls for a brunch board or bake-at-home bread if you want to prepare it just before eating. Also check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on each pack.
If regular and gluten-free bread are served at the same table, it’s important to check the packaging and use clean, separate utensils for preparation and serving. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
You’ll want something different for filled sandwiches than for a board of individual rolls. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s online ranges include other types alongside sliced gluten-free bread, such as rolls and mini baguettes.
If you want to check fibre, salt, other allergens or whether bakers’ salt is used as well as looking for a gluten-free label, compare the information for your chosen product on the packaging. Gluten-free on its own says nothing about these other properties.
Start with the packaging and preventing contact with crumbs. Then decide which type of bread and nutritional information matter for your Easter lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and serving separately | Check for a current gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Use clean, separate utensils for cutting and serving. | If a guest has coeliac disease, I want to prevent crumbs from regular bread getting onto their lunch. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g; also check the ingredients, allergens and whether bakers’ salt is mentioned. | If you’re also keeping an eye on other ingredients or nutritional values, don’t assume all gluten-free breads are the same. This is the first thing around 22% of consumers look at. |
| Type of bread and portions | Choose between sliced bread, individual rolls and bake-at-home products; check the number of pieces and the preparation instructions. | For a table with sandwich fillings and dips, I want to serve bread in portions that suit the lunch. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this serving format. |
| Availability and planning | Check your chosen shop or delivery location, and how to store the bread if you’re buying it in advance. | If I’m planning Easter lunch in advance, I want to know whether my chosen type of bread will be available in time and can be stored appropriately. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
Suitable packaging won’t stop the bread coming into contact with gluten afterwards. The Voedingscentrum says that even a bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Use clean, separate cutting utensils and a separate serving plate. Check the toaster or baking tray before using it too.
The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt the bread contains, and it doesn’t rule out other allergens.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen product, even if other claims appear on the front of the pack.
Bakers’ salt contains iodine, but the Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use it. So check the type of salt used for each bread, rather than assuming based on the type of bread.
Check the label or, for unpackaged bread, ask the baker which salt has been used.
A type of bread listed online may not be available in your chosen shop or at the time you need it. For example, Lidl notes on its page for additional gluten-free products that availability is limited.
Check with your specific shop or delivery location before planning your Easter lunch around one product.
Albert Heijn’s online range includes own-brand gluten-free bread as well as products from other brands, including Schär and Consenza.
Jumbo’s online range includes sliced gluten-free bread as well as options for a brunch board.
Schär features in the online bread ranges at Albert Heijn and Jumbo, with a variety of gluten-free bread types.
ALDI lists gluten-free rolls on its page about bake-at-home products.
Lidl has a range page for gluten-free products.
No. Check the current packaging and prevent contact with gluten during preparation and serving. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease, so use clean, separate utensils.
Yes. Check the ingredients and allergen information for sandwich fillings, spreads and other parts of the lunch too. Also keep knives and dishes separate if you’re serving bread that contains gluten.
No, that isn’t implied by the ‘gluten-free’ label. The Voedingscentrum says bakers’ salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the label or, for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
No, these are separate product properties. Albert Heijn lists this combination for a specific Consenza product, but check the current packaging and allergen information separately for every other type of bread.
