Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosting someone with coeliac disease

You’re looking for bread labelled gluten-free on the packaging and want to prevent it coming into contact with crumbs from regular bread during preparation or serving.

Serving warm rolls

You want to bake individual rolls just before the meal. The preparation instructions and a clean baking tray are therefore part of your decision.

Comparing food labels

You check the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt for each product rather than assuming all gluten-free multigrain and seeded breads have the same ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you’re serving someone with coeliac disease, start by checking for a gluten-free label and ensuring the bread is prepared separately. Then choose a type of bread that suits the meal and check the rest of the product information on the label.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten and cross-contamination Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Use clean utensils and a separate serving area. If my guest has coeliac disease, I want to prevent the bread from coming into contact with regular bread crumbs during the meal. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this gluten safety.
Type of bread and preparation Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs baking, and follow the storage and preparation instructions for that product. For warm individual portions, I want to prepare the rolls just before eating; for sharing platters, I’d rather choose sliced bread. The way it’s served is the deciding factor for around 29% of consumers.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and any warnings about possible allergens, including soya, on the packaging you’re buying. If a guest needs to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, I want to know what this particular bread contains. These additional allergens are the main concern for around 21% of consumers.
Nutritional information Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients list for iodised salt. If several suitable breads are available, I want to compare their nutritional information on the same basis. This is a priority for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ or ‘seeded’ means ‘gluten-free’

    The name doesn’t tell you whether a bread contains gluten. Regular multigrain bread may contain wheat, rye or barley.

    If you’re buying for a guest with coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Checking the bread but not how it’s prepared

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can be relevant for someone with coeliac disease.

    Use a clean work surface and a separate knife or pair of tongs, and serve the bread on its own plate. Don’t put gluten-free bread in a toaster used for regular bread.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    The Schär and Jumbo products described list soya; warnings about other allergens vary by product.

    Ask guests which allergens they need to avoid, then read all the information on the specific product packaging.

  • Assuming every bread contains iodised salt

    Whether a bread contains iodised salt is a product-specific detail that you can’t tell from the words ‘gluten-free’ or ‘multigrain’.

    If you want to take this ingredient into account, look for ‘iodised salt’ in the bread’s ingredients list.

Brands and shops to consider

Schär

The product selection described includes both sliced Mehrkorn bread and multigrain rolls for baking.

  • The individual product listings offer a choice between sliced bread and warm rolls.
  • The products described list soya and may contain other allergens; check the packaging for each product.

Jumbo

The product selection described includes Lekker Vrij van Gluten seeded bread.

  • The bread is labelled gluten-free on the Jumbo product page and contains seeds.
  • The product information lists soya and says it may contain almonds, eggs and milk.

Albert Heijn

Lists Schär Mehrgranenbroodjes glutenvrij.

  • The product page gives a baking time of 5–7 minutes at 200 °C for these rolls.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.

PLUS

Lists PLUS Meerzaden glutenvrij and Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn.

  • The listing for PLUS Meerzaden describes gluten-free bread with linseed and sunflower seeds.
  • The PLUS bread lists oats and soya; also check the rest of the allergen information on the packaging.

Dirk

Shows Schär Mehrkorn and Schär Meergranenbroodjes in search results for multigrain bread.

  • The search results make it easy to distinguish between the two types of bread.
  • Before buying, read the product information and the label for the product you’ve chosen.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check if a guest has coeliac disease?

Choose bread whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol, and prevent it from coming into contact with regular bread during preparation and serving. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a small amount of gluten, such as a bread crumb, can be relevant for someone with coeliac disease.

Is gluten-free multigrain bread also free from soya or other allergens?

No, you can’t tell that from the gluten-free label. The Schär and Jumbo products described list soya; for other allergens, check the current ingredients list and warnings on the exact product you’re serving.

How can I keep gluten-free bread separate when serving?

Use a clean work surface and clean, separate utensils, and don’t serve the bread on a board with regular bread. If you’re baking rolls, make sure the baking tray and tongs are clean too.

Does every gluten-free multigrain bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the name of the bread or its gluten-free label. Check the ingredients list for each product to see whether it includes ‘iodised salt’.

How should I store opened bread or defrosted rolls?

Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. For Schär Meesterbaker Mehrkorn, Jumbo says to use it within a few days of opening or freeze it straight away. For the frozen rolls described by Jumbo, use them within one day of defrosting and don’t refreeze them.