If your child has coeliac disease, choose a roll whose current packaging states ‘gluten-free’. Under European Union Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may only be used on foods for the final consumer if they contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also check for other allergens, and keep the roll separate from ordinary rolls during preparation and serving. Only then compare portion sizes, storage instructions and baking times.
You’re looking for a gluten-free roll that can be prepared and served separately when ordinary rolls are also on the table. The Voedingscentrum describes a lifelong gluten-free diet as the treatment for coeliac disease and points out that even a single bread crumb can cause symptoms.
Alongside gluten, ingredients such as egg, milk, soya or nuts may also affect your choice. Albert Heijn lists possible traces of these allergens in its white gluten-free rolls; Yara's Glutenvrij Bakkerij describes its tested rolls as free from, among other things, egg, soya and cow’s milk. Check the current packaging for each child.
You’ll want to know how many rolls you need and when to put them in the oven. The tested white gluten-free rolls from Albert Heijn and PLUS are sold in packs of two, and their stated baking times differ.
Check the gluten-free label, other allergens and whether the rolls can be served separately before comparing portion sizes and baking times.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. Also use clean serving utensils and fillings without crumbs from ordinary rolls. | If my child has coeliac disease, I want to be able to serve them a suitable roll without it coming into contact with ordinary rolls. For around 50% of consumers, gluten safety would be the top priority. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, even on a gluten-free product. | If a child also needs to avoid egg, milk, soya or nuts, I want to know whether this particular roll is suitable. For around 30% of consumers, checking for other allergens would come first. |
| Portions and preparation | Compare the number of rolls, baking time and storage instructions on the pack you choose. | For a small, planned get-together, I want to have enough rolls and know when to bake them. Around 20% of consumers would put portions and preparation first when choosing, as long as the rolls meet their dietary needs. |
A type of grain or a product name doesn’t prove that a roll is gluten-free. For the tested organic spelt roll, Jumbo lists gluten, spelt and wheat; the tested standard frozen roll contains wheat flour.
If your child has coeliac disease, choose a roll with ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. Don’t rely on terms such as spelt, organic or multigrain.
A gluten-free roll can come into contact with crumbs during preparation or serving. The Voedingscentrum says that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Use a clean plate and separate serving utensils, and make sure the fillings are free from crumbs too.
‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with another food allergy. Albert Heijn states that its white gluten-free rolls may contain egg, milk, soya, almond and hazelnut.
Ask which allergens are relevant to the children, then check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information on the pack you buy.
Albert Heijn recommends baking its white gluten-free rolls for 6–7 minutes at 180 °C; PLUS recommends 10 minutes at 180 °C for its white rolls. Storage instructions may also affect your plans.
Work out how many rolls you’ll need in advance and follow the preparation and storage instructions for the product you choose.
Albert Heijn advises against freezing its tested white rolls at home. Bear this in mind if you only want to use some of the pack.
Albert Heijn sells white gluten-free bake-at-home rolls in packs of two.
PLUS lists white and multiseed rolls in its gluten-free range.
This specialist bakery offers white and brown gluten-free rolls in packs of six.
Schär offers gluten-free alternatives to rolls, including products described by Dirk as Kaiser rolls or ciabatta.
Consenza focuses on gluten-free products for different occasions.
An ordinary or spelt roll isn’t a substitute for a gluten-free roll if your child has coeliac disease. The tested standard frozen roll from Jumbo contains wheat flour; Jumbo lists gluten, spelt and wheat in its organic spelt roll. The Voedingscentrum describes a lifelong gluten-free diet as the treatment for coeliac disease.
Under European Union Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food for the final consumer may only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Also check the current ingredients and allergen information if a child needs to avoid other substances.
Prepare and serve the gluten-free rolls separately, using a clean plate, knife and tongs, and fillings without bread crumbs. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. Before packing food for school or childcare, also check their rules on allergens, sharing food and separate packaging.
Not automatically. Check the ingredients and statements such as ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ for each product. Albert Heijn lists possible traces of egg, milk, soya, almond and hazelnut in its tested white gluten-free rolls. Check the packaging you’ll actually be using against the allergens that are relevant to the child.
