People shopping for someone with coeliac disease
You’re looking for a roll clearly labelled gluten-free. Terms such as wholemeal, brown, spelt or multigrain are not enough.
If you have coeliac disease, first look for a roll labelled gluten-free. Terms such as wholemeal, brown and multigrain do not, on their own, tell you whether a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Then compare the fibre per 100 g, ingredients, allergens and shape across the gluten-free options. PLUS lists gluten-free rolls online, while Albert Heijn’s product page says its AH Glutenvrij Pistolets meerzaden are no longer in the range.
You’re looking for a roll clearly labelled gluten-free. Terms such as wholemeal, brown, spelt or multigrain are not enough.
Once you’ve checked that it’s gluten-free, you want to compare the fibre and ingredients without assuming that a seeded roll is also wholemeal.
You want a roll or a similar bread shape, so you’re comparing gluten-free rolls with alternatives such as a mini baguette, depending on what your shop stocks.
If you have coeliac disease, make the gluten-free label your first selection criterion. Only then compare the nutritional information and decide how important the roll shape is to you.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check that the packaging says gluten-free, and read the ingredients and allergen information. | I don’t want to mistake a wholemeal or multigrain roll for a gluten-free product when shopping for someone with coeliac disease. Around 50% of consumers say this clarity is their main purchase criterion. |
| Fibre and ingredients | For gluten-free products, compare the fibre per 100 g and check which ingredients have been used. | Once I’ve found a gluten-free roll, I want to assess its ingredients rather than judge it by its dark colour. This is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Shape and availability | Check the shape of the bread, the preparation instructions and what’s currently available at your shop or in your delivery area. | For breakfast or lunch, I’m looking for an individual roll I can actually buy, even if it’s a mini baguette rather than a roll. This practical choice comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wheat, rye and barley are among the grains that contain gluten. A roll can therefore be wholemeal or multigrain without being suitable for a gluten-free diet.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the roll is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Only then assess the type of grain and fibre content.
A seeded roll may also contain starch as a key ingredient. Albert Heijn’s gluten-free seeded rolls, for example, listed maize, potato, tapioca and rice starch among their ingredients.
Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if the composition is key to your choice.
The product page for AH Glutenvrij Pistolets meerzaden still provides product information, but also says the product is no longer in the range.
Check what your shop stocks shortly before buying, and consider another bread shape that is explicitly labelled gluten-free if needed.
Albert Heijn lists white gluten-free rolls and seeded rolls, among other products in this range.
PLUS lists white gluten-free rolls and gluten-free seeded rolls online, alongside other gluten-free bread products.
Schär mini baguettes are among the gluten-free options shown as an alternative to a roll.
Jumbo lists gluten-free bread options, including its own white and brown bread, as well as products from other brands.
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread and roll options in its information about its bakery range.
Not simply because it’s labelled wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wheat, rye and barley are among the grains that contain gluten. If you have coeliac disease, choose a roll explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the gluten-free label may be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check that the roll you buy carries this label.
No. “Seeded” does not automatically mean that the grain ingredients are wholemeal. Read the ingredients and nutritional information; if you have coeliac disease, also check separately for a gluten-free label.
Compare the fibre per 100 g shown for rolls labelled gluten-free. Also check the ingredients and serving size: the 5,5 g of fibre per 100 g that Albert Heijn listed for its gluten-free seeded rolls does not apply to other products.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for that specific roll. Albert Heijn said its gluten-free seeded rolls were not suitable for home freezing; this does not tell you how to store other products.