If you need to avoid gluten, don’t rely on the words ‘multigrain’ on their own. Check the packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol. For a late-night snack, consider whether you can eat the bread straight away or have the time, an oven and suitable storage space for bake-at-home or frozen rolls. Check the allergen information and preparation instructions, too.
If you avoid gluten because of coeliac disease or another confirmed reason, check that the product is labelled gluten-free and avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray bread crumb can matter if you have coeliac disease.
If you want something to eat late in the evening, it helps to choose a product that suits the time and equipment you have available. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that preparation and storage instructions can vary between rolls.
If you eat gluten-free bread regularly or need to avoid other allergens, you can check the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for each product, as well as its gluten-free labelling. The label will tell you whether iodised salt has been used.
When choosing multigrain or multiseed bread for a late-night snack, check first that it is labelled gluten-free. Then pick a product that suits when you want to eat and check the other ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who this matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. At home, make sure the bread does not come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ and need to avoid contact with ordinary bread. For around 50% of consumers, checking that a product is gluten-free is the most important consideration. |
| Preparation and storage | Check whether the bread is ready to eat, needs baking or must be kept frozen. Read the preparation and storage instructions. | If I get hungry late at night, I want to know whether I can eat straight away or need to use the oven first. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Other ingredients | Read the allergen information and, if you wish, compare the nutritional value per 100 g. Check the label to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt has been used. | If I have another food allergy or eat this bread regularly, I want to know what it contains besides the gluten-free ingredients. For around 20% of consumers, the ingredients are the most important factor. |
A name that refers to several grains does not mean the bread is gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, this distinction matters more than choosing between nuts and seeds.
Check the gluten-free labelling on the packaging before considering the flavour or ingredients.
Gluten-free bread can contain other allergens. Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product.
If you have another food allergy, check the allergen information for the specific product, too.
Some gluten-free rolls need to go in the oven first. A frozen option also needs suitable storage and must be defrosted according to the packaging.
If you want something to eat right away, choose a product that the packaging says is ready to eat. Otherwise, check the preparation and storage instructions before buying.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Its presence therefore varies from one loaf to another.
Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether the product you choose contains iodised salt or baker’s salt.
These shops can be a useful starting point when looking for a specific gluten-free bread product. Always check the packaging, ingredients and instructions for the product you choose.
Lists products including Schär gluten-free multigrain rolls.
Lists products including its own-brand gluten-free multiseed bread and Schär gluten-free multigrain rolls.
Lists gluten-free multiseed bread and gluten-free multiseed rolls.
Search results show both ordinary multigrain bread and gluten-free Schär products.
Offers a gluten-free range alongside ordinary bread.
Includes gluten-free bread options among its bake-at-home rolls and snacks.
Don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’: check that the bread is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says to look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging or the Crossed Grain symbol.
If you have coeliac disease, you need to prevent the gluten-free bread from coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights the risk from a stray bread crumb, so use a clean, separate preparation area and suitable clean utensils.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific bread to see whether it contains iodised salt or baker’s salt.
Choose a product whose storage instructions suit the space you have available, and follow the packaging. For its frozen Schär multigrain rolls, Jumbo specifies storage at −18 °C and gives instructions for use after defrosting. Other breads may have different instructions.
