People with coeliac disease who eat bread every day
For breakfast or lunch, you’ll want bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Then check the other ingredients and, if it matters to your diet, whether it contains iodised salt.
Who is this relevant to?
People with coeliac disease and an additional food allergy
A gluten-free label does not mean that a product is free from soya, milk, eggs or nuts, for example. The ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread you buy will determine whether it is suitable for your allergies.
People comparing nutritional information
Once the gluten-free label and any allergens relevant to you have been checked, you can compare factors such as fibre and salt per 100 g, pack size and storage instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking for a gluten-free label, then check all the allergens relevant to you. Only then compare nutritional information and convenience.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging; the word ‘multigrain’ is not a substitute. | If I’m choosing bread because I have coeliac disease, a clear gluten-free label is my first priority. Around 39% of consumers put gluten safety first. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and the ‘Contains’ and ‘May contain’ statements for your allergens. | If I have an additional food allergy, I also need to consider substances that may be present in gluten-free bread. For around 38% of consumers, avoiding other allergens is a key priority. |
| Everyday use | Compare nutritional information per 100 g, check whether iodised salt is used and follow the storage instructions. | Once a bread meets my gluten requirements and suits my allergies, I want to know how it fits into my everyday shopping. For around 23% of consumers, these practical considerations are the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’
Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Schär shows that gluten-free multiseed breads may contain soya or include warnings about other allergens that may be present.
Check the ingredients and both the ‘Contains’ and ‘May contain’ statements on the packaging every time you buy.
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Relying on the word ‘multigrain’
The name of the bread does not confirm that the product meets the EU requirements for a ‘gluten-free’ label.
If you have coeliac disease, choose bread based on the explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging, not the name of the grain mix.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers do not always use baker’s salt. This means the amount of iodised salt can vary from one bread to another.
If it matters to your dietary choices, look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ in the ingredients list.
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Relying solely on an online product page
Ingredients and allergen information may change between viewing a product page and receiving the product.
Read the label on the bread you receive or buy before eating it.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists a 480 g gluten-free light multiseed loaf, sold as a half loaf.
- The listed variety contains linseed, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds; iodised salt is included in the ingredients.
- The product information also warns that it may contain egg, milk, soya, oats, almonds and hazelnuts, among other allergens. Check these statements if you have additional allergies.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
This range from Jumbo includes brown bread and a 500 g multiseed loaf.
- The listed multiseed loaf contains linseed, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
- According to Jumbo, this multiseed loaf contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk. Check the allergen information for each variety.
Schär
Schär’s gluten-free Meesterbäcker Mehrkorn is listed in a 300 g pack.
- The variety reviewed is labelled gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free; each of these labels has a different meaning.
- According to PLUS’s product information, this variety contains soya and may contain lupin, mustard and sesame.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘gluten-free’ mean that bread contains no gluten at all?
No, the label does not literally mean zero gluten. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ may contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg when sold to consumers.
Is gluten-free multigrain bread suitable if you have a soya allergy?
Not necessarily: according to Jumbo’s product information, its gluten-free multiseed loaf contains soya, and the Schär Meesterbäcker Mehrkorn listed by PLUS also contains soya. Before choosing any other bread, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume it does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers do not always use baker’s salt. So check the ingredients list for each bread if iodised salt is important to your choice.
Can I freeze gluten-free multiseed bread?
That depends on the instructions for the bread you buy. Albert Heijn says its light multiseed variety can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. For the listed Schär Meesterbäcker Mehrkorn, the advice is to use the bread within a few days of opening or freeze it straight away. Follow the instructions on your packaging.