Pupils with coeliac disease
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. That’s why both the gluten-free label on the roll and preparation without cross-contamination matter.
Who is this relevant to?
Parents who prepare lunch in advance
If you bake, fill and pack a roll in the morning, keep it separate from ordinary bread, used utensils and crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
Lunch shoppers comparing other product information too
The rolls we looked at vary in their listed allergens, baking times and fibre content per 100 g. Check the current packaging for information about the product you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, check the gluten-free label and allergens on the packaging. Then consider whether you can prepare the roll separately and whether there’s enough time to bake it before leaving for school.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Check the ‘gluten-free’ label and ingredients on the current packaging; the shape of the bread or the word ‘spelt’ isn’t enough. | If I need to avoid gluten completely, I want to see that the roll is labelled gluten-free before I buy it. Around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Cross-contamination | Check whether you can bake the roll separately and fill it using clean utensils and a clean work surface. | Ordinary bread is also prepared at home, so I want to make my lunch without it coming into contact with crumbs. Around 33% of consumers give avoiding cross-contamination their highest priority. |
| Preparation, allergens and nutritional value | Compare the baking time, other relevant allergens and, if needed, the nutritional value per 100 g on the packaging. | Before leaving, I want to know whether there’s time to bake the roll and whether the other ingredients suit my needs. Around 25% of consumers put these lunch considerations first. |
Common mistakes when choosing and packing
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Assuming a spelt roll is gluten-free
Spelt is a type of wheat, so it isn’t a gluten-free alternative for someone with coeliac disease, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Don’t choose based on words such as ‘spelt’ or ‘multigrain’. Check the gluten-free label and ingredients list instead.
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Preparing a gluten-free roll with shared kitchen utensils
Crumbs from ordinary bread on a chopping board, knife or work surface can end up on a gluten-free roll.
Prepare the roll separately, with clean hands, clean utensils and a clean work surface. Also check that the baking tray and fillings haven’t come into contact with ordinary bread.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens too
PLUS lists sesame as an ingredient in its gluten-free seeded rolls. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with a different allergy.
Check all allergens relevant to your child on the current packaging, even if you’re buying a familiar variety again.
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Relying only on online product information
Ingredients and availability can change, so a product page you looked at earlier isn’t a substitute for checking the packaging of the product you buy.
Check current availability before buying, then read the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before packing the lunch.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn lists white gluten-free rolls in its own-brand range.
- According to Albert Heijn, bake the white rolls for 6–7 minutes at 180 °C.
- The product information says they may contain eggs, milk, soya, almonds and hazelnuts. Check the packaging if any of these allergens are relevant to you.
PLUS
PLUS lists white and seeded rolls labelled gluten-free, both sold in packs of two.
- PLUS recommends baking both varieties for 10 minutes at 180 °C.
- The seeded variety contains sesame. PLUS lists 1,31 g of fibre per 100 g for the white variety and 2,7 g per 100 g for the seeded variety.
Schär
Schär’s gluten-free Mini Baguette is a similar option for lunch, but it isn’t a roll.
- The Mini Baguette listed by PLUS is individually wrapped and takes 5–7 minutes to bake at 200 °C.
- The product information lists soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard.
Lidl
Lidl mentions an extended gluten-free range, but doesn’t specify a particular gluten-free roll.
- Lidl reported that this extended range wasn’t available. Check what’s currently on offer before relying on a specific product for a school lunch.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pack an ordinary roll or spelt roll for a gluten-free lunch?
No, not if a gluten-free diet is essential: spelt is a type of wheat, and wheat contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Choose a roll labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the current packaging.
How can you keep a gluten-free roll separate while preparing it?
Prepare and pack the roll separately from ordinary bread, using clean hands, clean utensils and a clean work surface. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights crumbs and shared kitchen utensils as some of the risks of cross-contamination. Ask the school whether it has any arrangements for packed lunches or sharing food.
Are gluten-free seeded rolls free from other allergens too?
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t guarantee that. PLUS lists sesame in its gluten-free seeded rolls. If you have other allergies, always check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.
What does the ‘gluten-free’ label on packaging mean?
The label is covered by the requirements of EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014 on information about gluten in food. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, ‘gluten-free’ may appear on a label if the product meets those requirements. You should also check the ingredients and other relevant allergens on the current packaging.