For a children’s party, choose bread that is clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the ingredients and allergen warnings for every child who will be eating it. Pre-baked rolls work well as warm individual portions if you have time to prepare them; sliced bread makes it easier to prepare small sandwiches in advance.
If a child with coeliac disease will be eating at the party, start by checking that the packaging labels the bread as gluten-free. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread you buy.
Gluten-free bread may contain other allergens or carry warnings about them. Compare the packaging information with what the children can and cannot eat, rather than looking only at the type of bread.
If you’re serving bread alongside other party food, choose a format that suits your plans: individual rolls to serve warm, or slices to make small sandwiches in advance.
Start with the gluten-free label and allergen information. Then choose a type of bread that suits the number of portions you need and when you plan to serve them.
When to choose them: pick individual rolls if you want to serve warm portions and can use an oven or a suitable air fryer.
Consider: they need to be prepared just before serving. Also check the allergen warnings for the product you choose.
When to choose it: pick sliced bread if you want to make several small sandwiches in advance without using the oven.
Consider: you’ll need to prepare the sandwiches yourself and follow the storage instructions after opening. Allergen information also varies from one product to another.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging; ‘multigrain’ or ‘mixed seeds’ does not mean the same thing. | If a child with coeliac disease is eating, I want to be able to check that the bread is labelled gluten-free. For around 50% of consumers, this reassurance would be their top purchase priority. |
| Other allergens | Compare the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings with the children’s dietary needs. | If a guest also needs to avoid other allergens, I want bread that’s suitable for them. Around 30% of consumers would put this additional check first. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the number of rolls or slices, and read the preparation and storage instructions. | For small party portions, I want to know what I can prepare in advance and what needs to be ready just before serving. For around 20% of consumers, this planning would be the main priority. |
The word multigrain says nothing about whether bread is gluten-free: bread made with wheat, rye or barley may contain gluten.
For a child with coeliac disease, check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’, regardless of the bread’s colour or visible seeds.
A gluten-free product may contain soya, for example, or carry a warning about other allergens. So not every gluten-free bread is suitable for every guest.
Ask which allergens are relevant for the children, then check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging of every product you choose.
Pre-baked rolls still need to be cooked, while sandwiches made with sliced bread need to be prepared and stored appropriately.
Decide in advance between warm rolls and cold sandwiches, count how many portions you need, and follow the instructions for the bread you buy.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The type of salt listed also varies between gluten-free breads.
If you want to know what type of salt a particular bread contains, check the label for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.
Always check the specific loaf or rolls: the format, ingredients and allergen warnings can vary even within the gluten-free range.
Schär Meisterbäcker Mehrkorn is a packaged, sliced bread that’s ideal for making sandwiches in advance.
AH Glutenvrij Meerzaden broodjes are pre-baked rolls for individual warm portions.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Meerzaden Brood is a whole gluten-free loaf made with tapioca starch and containing seeds.
PLUS Meerzaden glutenvrij is a whole loaf containing ingredients such as linseed, sunflower seeds and gluten-free oat flakes.
No. ‘Multigrain’ does not mean ‘gluten-free’. Choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this label may be used in the EU when the food sold to consumers contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Yes. A gluten-free label does not rule out other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label. So check the ingredients and any warnings on the bread you’re actually serving.
Choose sliced bread if you want to make small sandwiches in advance, or pre-baked rolls if you’d like to serve warm individual portions and have time to prepare them. In either case, check how many portions the product provides and follow the preparation and storage instructions on the packaging.
No, it varies by product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the label of the bread you choose to see whether the ingredients include baker’s salt or iodised salt.
