Who is this choice relevant to?

A fussy eater with coeliac disease

They want a familiar roll to go with a meal, but also need to check for gluten in the product and avoid cross-contamination during preparation. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that even a stray bread crumb can matter for someone with coeliac disease.

A parent or carer looking for a roll to try

They’re looking for a shape and texture the eater will be willing to try, without overlooking the gluten-free claim, other allergens or how the roll is prepared.

A gluten-free eater who also considers their overall diet

They want to compare the nutrition information of different rolls and check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands because of the use of baker’s salt; that doesn’t tell you anything about an individual gluten-free roll.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check the label and make sure the roll can be prepared without cross-contamination. Then choose a shape and texture to try, and compare the nutrition information for the products you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten and cross-contamination Read the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. When preparing the roll, use clean utensils and fillings that haven’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. If I’m making a meal for someone with coeliac disease, both the roll and the way it’s prepared need to meet their needs. For around 50% of consumers, confidence that the food is gluten-free comes first.
Shape and texture Compare a white roll with a seeded roll for visible seeds and shape; don’t rely on the name alone to tell you how it will taste. A new roll may not be tried if its visible seeds or texture are off-putting. Around 30% of consumers give the fussy eater’s acceptance the highest priority.
Nutrition information Compare fibre per 100 g and the ingredients of specific products. If iodine from bread matters to your choice, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. If gluten-free rolls are a regular part of my meals, I also want to know how they contribute to my overall diet. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a gluten-free roll makes the whole meal gluten-free

    If you have coeliac disease, crumbs from ordinary bread can still get onto your roll via a knife, toaster, worktop or shared fillings. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns about this kind of cross-contamination.

    Check the gluten-free claim on the packaging, use clean utensils and choose fillings that haven’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs.

  • Assuming ‘white’ or ‘seeded’ tells you what the eater will like

    The product name can help you make an initial choice based on appearance and texture, but it can’t predict whether a fussy eater will enjoy the roll.

    Start with a shape that’s similar to the kind of bread the eater usually likes to try. For a seeded variety, check the ingredients and nutrition information separately.

  • Assuming all gluten-free rolls contain the same amount of fibre and iodine

    A roll’s colour or name doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains. Nor does the term ‘gluten-free’ tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used.

    Compare the fibre information on the label and check the ingredients to see what type of salt has been used; consider the roll as part of your overall diet.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Pistolets wit in its range, as well as gluten-free seeded rolls.

  • The white roll is a specific shape to consider if you want to avoid visible seeds.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens, fibre and preparation instructions; the product names don’t provide this information.

Schär

Jumbo lists gluten-free burger buns from Schär in its gluten-free range.

  • Another bread shape to consider if a white roll isn’t what you’re looking for.
  • A burger bun isn’t the same as a white roll; check the packaging and decide whether the shape suits the meal.

Consenza

Jumbo lists gluten-free pitta breads from Consenza.

  • A pitta offers a different way to include bread in a meal.
  • A pitta isn’t a direct substitute for a white roll; check whether its shape, ingredients and preparation suit the meal.

A similar type of bread at Joybuy

This mini baguette is a similar type of bread to try with a meal, but it isn’t a white roll. If you need to eat gluten-free, check the claim on the current packaging before choosing this product.

Gv Baguette Mini, pack of 7

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

The mini baguette is an option if you’d like to try a different type of bread as well as white rolls. The product description says it’s gluten-free; if you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging and avoid cross-contamination during preparation.

Read the ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the packaging before serving the baguette.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on packaged bread if you have coeliac disease?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten for the final consumer. If you have coeliac disease, it’s also important to prevent cross-contamination during preparation, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses.

Do I need to watch out for crumbs if the roll itself is gluten-free?

Yes. If you have coeliac disease, crumbs from ordinary bread can still contaminate a gluten-free roll. Use a clean worktop and knife, and take care with shared toasters and fillings that have come into contact with ordinary bread.

Is it worth choosing gluten-free if you haven’t been diagnosed with a condition?

A gluten-free roll isn’t automatically a better choice if there’s no diagnosed need to avoid gluten. If you think you may have a condition involving gluten, speak to a doctor before changing your diet.

How can I compare gluten-free rolls for fibre and iodine?

For fibre, compare the nutrition information per 100 g. To find out what type of salt has been used, check the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread often contributes to iodine intake in the Netherlands because of the use of baker’s salt. You’ll need to check the packaging to find out whether this applies to a particular gluten-free roll.