Who are these alternatives for?

If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease

You want to check before buying whether a bread alternative is labelled gluten-free and what it contains. Glutenvrij.nl lists rye as a grain that naturally contains gluten.

If you’re looking for a rye bread experience

You want to compare seeded and multigrain bread for flavour, texture and suitability for toppings. The product name or dark colour is no substitute for checking the gluten-free label.

If you want something to take with you

For a Christmas market, you’re looking for a portion you can take with you or share. Small rolls, ciabatta and flatbread are bread styles you can compare, provided the product you choose meets your requirements for ingredients and allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and ingredients first. Then consider whether a small portion for eating on the go or the flavour and texture of a larger loaf matters more to you.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free option Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging and check the ingredients list for rye and other gluten-containing grains. If I’m buying something for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to check the product before taking it to the Christmas market; around 50% of consumers put this check first.
Taking it with you and serving Check the portion size and any preparation instructions for rolls, ciabatta or flatbread. If I want something to eat or share while I’m out, I’m looking for a handy portion rather than a whole loaf; for around 30% of consumers, this is the key difference when choosing.
Flavour and texture Compare seeded and multigrain bread for the texture you want and how well it takes toppings. Don’t rely on the name or colour as proof that it’s gluten-free. If what I miss most is the savoury, substantial feel of rye bread, I want to compare bread styles that offer a similar experience; around 20% of consumers give this preference top priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming dark bread or sourdough is gluten-free

    A dark colour, seeds or the word ‘sourdough’ don’t rule out rye, wheat or barley. Glutenvrij.nl lists these grains as natural sources of gluten.

    For a prepacked alternative, check the ‘gluten-free’ label and ingredients list. If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose a product that contains rye.

  • Confusing allergen information with information about preparation

    Allergen information for unpackaged food doesn’t automatically tell you whether a market stall takes precautions to avoid contact with gluten-containing products during preparation.

    Before buying, ask about both the ingredients and how the food is prepared. If you can’t get a clear answer, it’s better to check a prepacked product with a clearly readable gluten-free label yourself.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    A gluten-free bread alternative isn’t automatically free from milk, eggs, soya, sesame or nuts, for example.

    Check the current packaging for any other allergens relevant to you, even if you’ve bought the product before.

  • Assuming every bread alternative contains the same baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that every individual gluten-free product contains baker’s salt.

    Check the ingredients of the product you choose; don’t assume it contains iodine, or infer how much, based on the type of bread.

Brands to consider

Schär

Schär offers a range of bread styles to compare for a Christmas market, from seeded bread to smaller portions.

  • Jumbo lists products including Schär Mini Baguette Glutenvrij, Schär Ciabatta Glutenvrij and Schär Flatbreads. Albert Heijn lists Schär Pure & Active seeded gluten-free bread.
  • Check the current packaging of the product you choose for its gluten-free label, ingredients and any other relevant allergens.

Consenza

Consenza presents a gluten-free range on its website for different mealtimes.

  • The range gives you a starting point if you want to look at other products for a meal as well as bread.
  • Check the packaging and portion style of any specific bread substitute; a brand description won’t provide this information for every product.

Schnitzer

Schnitzer presents gluten-free breads and organic options in its range on its website.

  • The different bread styles are worth considering if you want to compare a whole loaf with smaller bread products.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and labels on the packaging of each option you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is rye bread containing rye suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. Rye naturally contains gluten, as Glutenvrij.nl explains. Look for a gluten-free alternative to rye bread and check that the product you choose is actually labelled ‘gluten-free’.

What does the ‘gluten-free’ label on packaging mean?

Under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may only be described as ‘gluten-free’ when sold to the end consumer if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the label on the product you want to buy; words such as ‘dark’ or ‘multigrain’ don’t mean the same thing.

What should I ask about unpackaged food at a Christmas market?

Before buying, ask which allergens are present and how the food is prepared. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirement to provide allergen information for unpackaged food. If you have coeliac disease, also ask whether there could be contact with gluten-containing products during preparation. If the answers aren’t clear, it’s easier to check a prepacked product with a clearly readable gluten-free label yourself.

Does all gluten-free bread contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume it does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the product you choose; the type of bread alone won’t tell you how much iodine that specific product contains.