If you have coeliac disease, only choose multiseed bread if the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol; ‘multigrain’ and ‘with seeds’ do not tell you anything about gluten. Then compare the seeds, fibre, other allergens and storage instructions. Check each loaf’s ingredients list for iodised salt, rather than assuming it is included based on the type of bread.
First, you’ll want to check that the bread is labelled gluten-free. According to the Voedingscentrum, the gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol should be your starting point when choosing gluten-free products; an appealing mix of seeds is no substitute for this check.
Within the gluten-free range, you might want to compare options containing linseed, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds. Check which seeds are actually in the bread, and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging to assess its nutritional value.
You’re looking for a loaf that’s available at your shop or in your delivery area and suits the way you store it. Check the packaging again when you buy it, as ranges and product information can change.
Use the gluten-free label as your first selection criterion. Only once you’ve found bread that meets this requirement should you compare the seeds, other allergens and practical differences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the allergen information. | If I’m buying bread for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the name ‘multigrain’ or on a mix of seeds. For around 50% of consumers, checking that a product is gluten-free comes first. |
| Seeds and fibre | Compare the types of seeds listed and the fibre per 100 g; also check for any other allergens that are relevant to you. | Once they’ve found a gluten-free option, anyone looking for bread with visible seeds and kernels should check the ingredients rather than judging by the dark colour alone. This profile is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Availability and storage | Check what’s available in your shop or delivery area, the storage instructions and whether the ingredients list mentions iodised salt. | If I’m buying bread to last several days, I want to know whether I can get it and how to store it. Around 20% of consumers focus most on these practical considerations. |
A mix of seeds tells you nothing about whether gluten is present. Wheat, including spelt, as well as rye and barley, are cereals that contain gluten.
First, check the packaging for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol. Only then should you choose based on the type of seeds or texture.
Oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten during production. So, the presence of oats in the ingredients list does not, by itself, confirm that bread is gluten-free.
If you have coeliac disease, choose bread whose finished product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. If oats are a concern for you personally, discuss this with your healthcare professional or specialist dietitian.
A familiar product name doesn’t guarantee that the ingredients and allergen information have stayed the same. Gluten-free bread may also contain other allergens.
Read the current packaging every time you buy it, especially if you also need to avoid ingredients such as soya, milk, egg, nuts or sesame.
The Voedingscentrum identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. However, that doesn’t mean every gluten-free multiseed loaf contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients list of the bread you buy. Talk to a specialist dietitian if you have questions about your overall diet.
The product names below can help you narrow down your search, but the label and allergen information on the packaging should guide your choice.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Brood donker meerzaden half as a multiseed option.
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Meerzaden Brood as gluten-free bread with kernels and seeds.
PLUS lists a 500 g gluten-free multiseed loaf.
At Dirk, Schär Meergranenbroodjes glutenvrij, 210 g, is a relevant product name to look for.
If you have coeliac disease, only choose bread at Lidl if the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
When choosing bread at ALDI, check the label for the specific product rather than relying on words such as ‘seeds’ or ‘grains’.
You can’t tell from the name alone: check whether the bread is explicitly labelled gluten-free or carries the Crossed Grain symbol. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain products may contain cereals with gluten; adding seeds doesn’t change that.
Yes, if the finished product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and oats are suitable for you personally. Ordinary oats can come into contact with cereals containing gluten, so don’t rely on the ingredient ‘oats’ alone.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information and whether that specific bread is gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available for non-prepacked food; that information alone does not confirm that the bread is gluten-free.
No. Check the ingredients list of the bread you’ve chosen for ‘iodised salt’. The product information for the multiseed breads mentioned by Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists it, but that tells you nothing about other products or a possible recipe change in the future.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the specific loaf. Albert Heijn says you can freeze its dark multiseed bread at home on the day you buy it and use it within a month; Jumbo says to store its multiseed bread in a cool, dry place away from light. At home, keep gluten-free bread separate from crumbs from ordinary bread.
