Who is this choice relevant to?

Shopper with coeliac disease

When choosing a seeded roll, first looks for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label, then compares the shape and seed mix. ‘Multigrain’ and ‘spelt’ are no substitute for this check.

Fan of seeds and texture

Wants a gluten-free seeded roll and checks which seeds it contains. If they have another allergy, labels for ingredients such as sesame, soya, egg or nuts are important too.

Practical home baker

Wants to bake a roll for breakfast or lunch, so compares the oven instructions, packaging and storage instructions for the exact product.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, check for a ‘gluten-free’ label first, then compare the seeds, other allergens and ease of baking. Under European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food may only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten when sold to consumers.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging of the exact product; don’t rely on ‘seeded’ or ‘wheat-free’. If I have coeliac disease, I want to check for an explicit gluten-free label rather than relying on the name of the bread. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first.
Seeds and other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information; according to PLUS, its rolls contain sesame, among other ingredients. If I choose seeds for their texture, I also want to know whether the roll is suitable for anyone with another allergy. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination of seed choice and allergen information.
Availability and preparation Check whether the exact product is still available and read its baking instructions before relying on it. For breakfast or lunch, I want to be able to find a roll and bake it in time. For around 25% of consumers, practical considerations make the difference.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘seeded’ or ‘spelt’ as ‘gluten-free’

    A name that describes the grains or seeds does not confirm that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Spelt is a type of wheat.

    If you have coeliac disease, make an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label your first requirement.

  • Choosing a seed mix without checking the allergens

    A gluten-free roll may contain other allergens. PLUS lists sesame in its seeded rolls; Albert Heijn lists soya in its discontinued product.

    Check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact product every time you buy it.

  • Relying on an old product page

    Albert Heijn marks its gluten-free seeded rolls as discontinued. A product description alone therefore doesn’t tell you whether you can still buy that product.

    Check whether it’s still available before planning a meal around it.

  • Assuming which salt was used from the bread’s name

    ‘Gluten-free’ and ‘seeded’ don’t tell you which salt was used in a roll.

    Check the ingredients of the exact product for information about the salt used, and treat this as a separate question from checking whether it’s ‘gluten-free’.

Brands compared

PLUS

PLUS describes its gluten-free seeded rolls as a pack of two.

  • According to PLUS, these rolls contain linseed, sesame, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
  • They contain sesame and, according to PLUS, need 10 minutes in the oven at 180 °C.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes a gluten-free seeded roll, but marks this product as discontinued.

  • The product described contains sunflower seeds, linseed and pumpkin seeds.
  • Albert Heijn lists soya and the possible presence of egg, almond and hazelnut.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists the Odenwald Bakery Gluten-Free Oval White Roll with Seeds, among other options, for anyone who doesn’t necessarily need a roll in the shape of a pistolet.

  • According to the product listing, this roll is labelled gluten-free and contains seeds.
  • An oval roll isn’t necessarily interchangeable with a pistolet; check the packaging and preparation instructions separately.

Dirk

Dirk lists gluten-free Schär multigrain rolls alongside regular pistolets.

  • The Schär rolls offer another type of bread roll labelled gluten-free to compare.
  • Don’t assume a regular multigrain pistolet is gluten-free just because of its name.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread in its bread range and also describes regular pistolets.

  • Gluten-free bread options can be considered as a separate category.
  • Check the gluten-free label, seeds and ingredients for each product; a regular pistolet isn’t a suitable alternative for someone with coeliac disease simply because of its shape.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a seeded pistolet automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. Seeds or multigrain ingredients don’t prove that a pistolet is gluten-free. Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label; under European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this means the food must contain no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten when sold to consumers.

Is spelt an alternative to wheat for someone with coeliac disease?

No, not when it comes to the type of grain: spelt is a type of wheat. If you have coeliac disease, choose bread with an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label, not one simply described as ‘spelt’.

How long should gluten-free seeded rolls be baked for?

Follow the instructions on the exact packaging; there isn’t one baking time that applies to every product in this comparison. PLUS says its seeded rolls need 10 minutes at 180 °C, while Albert Heijn’s discontinued product had instructions for 6 to 7 minutes at 180 °C.

Should I check for other allergens as well as gluten?

Yes. If you have another allergy, check for it separately. PLUS lists sesame in its gluten-free seeded rolls; Albert Heijn lists soya and the possible presence of egg, almond and hazelnut in its discontinued product. Check the current packaging of the roll you choose.