Who is this choice relevant to?

Student with coeliac disease

Wants to check before lunch whether the roll is labelled gluten-free and whether the canteen handles it separately from regular bread.

Student bringing their own lunch

Wants to buy a gluten-free roll in advance, so the basis of their lunch does not depend on what the canteen has to offer. Albert Heijn and PLUS list specific varieties of gluten-free rolls.

Consumer comparing ingredients and nutritional values

Wants to compare fibre, salt and ingredients on the packaging. If you eat gluten-free bread regularly, it is also worth checking whether iodised baker’s salt is listed: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bakers use it.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, check the roll’s label first, then decide whether to bring it yourself or have the canteen prepare it. If you are buying a roll in the canteen, you should also find out how it is filled and served.

What to check What to check when buying Who it is most relevant to
Gluten-free label and cross-contact Check that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’. If the canteen is preparing it, ask how bread, equipment and fillings are kept separate from products containing gluten. If I have coeliac disease, I want to know that my roll is labelled gluten-free and that it does not come into contact with regular bread during preparation. For around 50% of consumers, this check would be the top priority.
Lunch on the go Check the packaging and any defrosting or baking instructions for the variety you choose. Check availability before relying on a particular roll. Between lectures, I want to be able to take a roll with me that suits the time I have and the facilities available. For around 30% of consumers, a practical lunch would be the main consideration.
Ingredients and nutritional values Compare fibre and salt in the nutritional information for the exact variety, and check the ingredients list for iodised baker’s salt. If I eat gluten-free bread regularly, I want to compare white and multiseed varieties based on their actual nutritional values, rather than their names. For around 20% of consumers, this would be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Judging a regular roll by its appearance

    White, spelt or multigrain does not tell you whether a roll is gluten-free. Under European rules, the label ‘gluten-free’ may be used when the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label on the roll you are actually buying.

  • Assuming a gluten-free roll stays gluten-free after preparation

    A packaged roll can come into contact with crumbs or shared equipment when it is cut, toasted or filled.

    Before buying, ask the canteen for the allergen information and specifically ask about the chopping board, tongs, toaster and fillings used. Choose a different lunch if you are not satisfied with the information about how it is prepared.

  • Assuming multiseed means more fibre

    The name of a roll does not tell you how much fibre, salt or energy the variety you buy contains.

    Compare white and multiseed varieties using the nutritional information on their current packaging.

  • Assuming it contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers are not required to use this salt.

    Check the ingredients list if you want to know what kind of salt has been used in a gluten-free roll.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists separate gluten-free white and multiseed rolls, so you can look for a specific variety in advance.

  • White and multiseed are listed as different roll products.
  • Check the current label and availability of your preferred variety when buying.

PLUS

PLUS lists gluten-free white and multiseed rolls in packs of two.

  • The two varieties give you a choice of bread type and flavour.
  • Compare the ingredients and nutritional values on the packaging of the variety you buy; the name ‘multiseed’ does not prove that it contains more fibre.

Ouni

PLUS lists a gluten-free Ouni roll sold individually. The product information says it can be eaten straight away.

  • The stated serving instructions are useful if you cannot bake a roll on campus.
  • Check the instructions on the packaging and whether this roll is available at your shop.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a regular roll with no visible grains suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. Do not judge whether a regular roll is gluten-free by its appearance. Check for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging; under European rules, this means the finished product must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

What information should I ask for about an unwrapped canteen roll?

Before buying, ask for the allergen information for the roll on offer. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must also be provided to consumers for unpackaged products. Also ask separately how the canteen prevents contact with gluten during preparation.

Does allergen information from the canteen rule out cross-contact?

No. Allergen information on its own does not confirm that a roll has been cut, toasted and filled using separate equipment. So ask about the procedure and whether tongs, bread boards, toasters and fillings are shared.

Does a gluten-free roll always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, do not assume it does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers are not required to use this salt. Check the ingredients list on the roll you buy.