If your child needs to avoid gluten, choose bread for their school lunch that is clearly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging; regular multigrain bread is not automatically gluten-free. Check for other allergens too, and avoid contact with regular bread when preparing the lunch. Then compare the nutritional information, portion size and storage instructions.
They look for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and take care to prevent crumbs from regular bread getting into their child’s lunch. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease.
They want to check fibre, salt and other relevant allergens on the label. A gluten-free label alone says nothing about these other product characteristics.
They look for a suitable portion size and check the storage instructions, for example if they want to freeze the bread or pack individual rolls.
For a gluten-free school lunch, first check the gluten-free label and any relevant allergens. Then compare the nutritional information and how easy the products that are suitable for your child are to store.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and free from bread crumbs | Read the gluten-free label and ingredients on the current packaging. Keep regular bread and crumbs away when preparing the lunch. | For my child with coeliac disease, I want to pack bread labelled gluten-free and make sure it does not come into contact with regular bread during preparation; this is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and other allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information if your child also needs to avoid other ingredients. | If my child needs to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, I want to be able to check the label and compare the nutritional information; this is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Check the pack size and the instructions for storing or freezing the bread. | When I prepare lunches for several school days, I want to be able to store portions that fit in the lunchbox; around 20% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
The name multigrain does not mean that a bread contains no gluten. Bread made with wheat, rye or barley is not gluten-free.
For a gluten-free lunch, look for a clear gluten-free label and check the current ingredients list too.
Gluten-free bread can contain other allergens. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists soy and warnings about other allergens among the details for the breads described.
Check the full allergen information on the pack you buy for anything relevant to your child.
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease. Gluten-free bread bought from a shop can still come into contact with crumbs from regular bread at home.
Use clean hands, a clean knife and a clean work surface, and keep the gluten-free lunch separate from regular bread.
Always compare the label on the specific bread you’re considering: ranges, ingredients and allergens vary from product to product.
Albert Heijn includes a gluten-free dark multiseed loaf in its own-brand range.
Jumbo sells Lekker Vrij van Gluten Meerzaden Brood as an own-brand product.
Schär makes Meisterbäcker Mehrkorn, one of its gluten-free multigrain breads.
PLUS provides product information for Schär Meisterbäcker Mehrkorn.
Lidl has a gluten-free range, although what’s available can vary.
ALDI lists gluten-free rolls in its bake-at-home range.
Dirk’s search results show gluten-free breads from Schär.
These are individual mini baguettes to consider as an alternative to sliced multigrain bread. For a gluten-free school lunch, check the current packaging and how the baguettes should be prepared.
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These individual mini baguettes are an option for the lunchbox, but they are not multigrain bread. Check the current packaging for the gluten-free label, allergen information and exactly what the pack contains; also check how the baguettes should be prepared.
Regular multigrain bread is not automatically gluten-free. If your child has coeliac disease, choose bread clearly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging and prevent it from coming into contact with regular bread during preparation; according to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms.
No, a gluten-free label does not mean that other allergens are absent. For example, product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists soy or possible traces of other allergens for the breads described. So always read the label for the specific product.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. If bread is a regular part of your child’s lunch, check the ingredients list to see what type of salt is used in your chosen product.
It depends on the bread. Albert Heijn says its dark gluten-free multiseed bread can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; for other breads, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
