If you have coeliac disease, first choose a product explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, and check the ingredients and any warnings too. If you want a filled roll, a gluten-free roll is a better fit; for a crisp lunch you can top straight away, gluten-free toast or crispbreads are another option. Rolls may need some preparation, and allergens and nutritional information vary from product to product.
You’re looking for a lunch base where the ‘gluten-free’ label, ingredients and any warnings on the packaging are the deciding factors. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Thuisarts explain that a gluten-free diet is essential for people with coeliac disease.
You’re looking for the shape of a roll rather than small pieces of toast. A frozen roll could be a good fit if you have time to defrost or bake it, such as the gluten-free Kaisersemmel described by Jumbo.
You want toast or crispbreads that you can top straight away or take with you. As well as the gluten-free label, compare the pack size, allergens and nutritional information for the specific product.
First, check that the packaging says the lunch base is gluten-free. Then choose between a roll and a crisp base, depending on how much time you have and what toppings you want to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label and warnings | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, check the ingredients and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the name or shape of the toast when choosing my lunch. For around 50% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Lunch format and preparation | Check whether you can top the product straight away or whether you need to defrost or bake it first. | A filled roll needs a different base from a small, crisp piece of toast, especially if I don’t have much time to prepare lunch. For around 30% of consumers, the type of lunch they want matters most. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Compare other allergens and information such as salt, using the same basis, for example per 100 g. | As well as gluten, I check for other ingredients and nutritional information that matter to me when choosing my regular lunch. This comparison is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
The shape of a product tells you nothing about whether it contains gluten. Crackers can also contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, then check the ingredients.
Wheat-free doesn’t mean gluten-free: Thuisarts lists rye, barley and spelt as well as wheat among the cereals that aren’t suitable for a gluten-free diet. You should also pay attention to warnings about cross-contamination.
Check the whole pack, including any warnings about cereals containing gluten.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Laurieri Scrocchi sea salt gluten-free contains soya. Jumbo lists egg as an allergen for Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian Herb Toasts and also mentions the possible presence of nuts and sesame.
If you have other allergies, check the current label for the variety you’re buying.
Small, crisp pieces of toast aren’t the same as a filled roll for lunch. A frozen gluten-free roll, on the other hand, needs time to defrost or bake.
Before you buy, decide what you want to eat and when you’ll have time to prepare lunch.
Schär offers a range of gluten-free lunch options, including crackers and frozen rolls described by Jumbo.
According to Albert Heijn, Laurieri Scrocchi sea salt gluten-free is a crisp option for small topped bites.
According to Jumbo, its Italian Herb Toasts are a seasoned, gluten-free variety of toast.
Under this brand, Albert Heijn offers a range of lunch bases, including crackers, bread and rolls.
These products offer two different lunch options: crisp rice toast to top, and mini baguettes for anyone who prefers a roll. If you have coeliac disease, check the current gluten-free label and any warnings on the packaging of both products.
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Rice toast for anyone looking for a crisp base to top. If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and any warnings on the packaging; if you have other allergies, also read the information about soya and sesame.
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An option for anyone who wants a roll for lunch and has time to bake it at home. Check the contents, preparation instructions, gluten-free label and any warnings on the packaging; if you have other allergies, also look out for soya, lupin and mustard.
No. Wheat-free alone doesn’t rule out other cereals containing gluten; Thuisarts lists rye, barley and spelt among them. For a gluten-free lunch, look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and read the rest of the packaging.
Take the warning into account before deciding whether to buy the product for someone with coeliac disease. The Netherlands Coeliac Society explains that these statements warn of possible cross-contamination. Read the exact wording on the packaging rather than relying on the product name alone.
Choose a roll if you want a filled roll and can plan for the preparation it needs. Gluten-free toast or crackers are better for a small, crisp base that you want to top straight away; check the label for each variety first.
No. The rules for baker’s salt don’t tell you what’s in a specific toast product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread and other bakery products. To check what’s in your product, read the ingredients or ask the manufacturer.
