If your child has coeliac disease, choose only bread or rolls labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging for teatime; ordinary multigrain bread isn’t automatically suitable. Then compare the size, allergens and storage instructions, and avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when preparing and packing it.
For a child with coeliac disease, it’s important to check both the gluten-free label and that the bread won’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Coeliac Society highlight the importance of a gluten-free diet and avoiding cross-contamination.
For school, childcare or teatime away from home, the bread needs to suit the occasion. Its size, allergen information and storage or preparation instructions can all help you choose.
If you regularly pack gluten-free bread, you may also want to compare nutritional information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread provides children with nutrients including fibre, iodine, B vitamins and iron. Check the label to see what a specific product contains.
If your child needs to avoid gluten, start by checking for a gluten-free label. Then choose between sliced bread and rolls to suit the occasion, and check the other allergens and nutritional information for each product.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and free from crumbs | Check that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’. Also prepare a clean work surface and use separate, clean utensils. | If my child has coeliac disease, I want to pack bread that hasn’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. For around 50% of consumers, safe gluten-free preparation would be the top priority. |
| Size and storage | Choose between sliced bread and rolls, and check how the product should be stored and used before and after opening. | When I pack a portion for my child to eat away from home, I want the size to suit the occasion. For around 30% of consumers, this would be the first thing to consider. |
| Nutritional information and other allergens | Compare nutritional values, such as fibre per 100 g, and read the full allergen statement. Check the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to your comparison. | If bread is a regular part of our diet or my child has another allergy, I want to compare what different products contain. For around 20% of consumers, this broader label check would be the top priority. |
A name such as multigrain or mixed seed doesn’t mean the bread is gluten-free. Ordinary bread isn’t a suitable alternative for a child with coeliac disease.
Base your choice on the gluten-free label and the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, cross-contamination with gluten can be a problem for people with coeliac disease. Sharing a knife, chopping board or butter tub can transfer crumbs.
Use clean equipment, choose fillings without bread crumbs and store the gluten-free bread separately.
Gluten-free mixed-seed products may contain soya, for example, or state that other allergens may be present. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean ‘free from all allergens’.
Check the full allergen statement for your chosen product every time you buy it.
If you’re packing a portion, it’s useful to agree how it should be shared and stored, and how to avoid contact with crumbs.
Ask the school, childcare provider or organiser in advance what arrangements they have for food brought in and served.
These examples show the types of bread and label information you can compare. Always check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen before buying.
PLUS describes Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn as gluten-free multigrain bread. Dirk also lists Schär Mehrkorn and gluten-free multigrain rolls in its search results.
Jumbo describes its Meerzaden Brood as gluten-free bread made with tapioca starch, seeds and kernels.
PLUS describes its Meerzaden glutenvrij as packaged bread and also lists gluten-free multigrain pistolets.
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free multigrain rolls and dark multigrain bread online.
You can’t tell from the name alone. If your child needs to avoid gluten, choose bread whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Check the ingredients and allergens too.
Yes, as long as you prevent cross-contamination. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, even ordinary bread crumbs can be a concern for someone with coeliac disease. Use clean equipment and fillings without crumbs, and keep the gluten-free bread separate.
Not necessarily. Product information for specific gluten-free breads from brands including Jumbo, PLUS and Schär lists soya or possible traces of other allergens. If your child has additional allergies, read the full allergen statement on the current packaging.
Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering, such as fibre per 100 g, and check the ingredients list if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread provides children with nutrients including fibre and iodine. Don’t assume every gluten-free bread has the same ingredients.
