Who is this choice important for?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

For them, choosing a roll explicitly labelled gluten-free comes first. It must also be kept separate from ordinary bread and its crumbs when preparing and serving it.

Families who want to serve small portions

A roll, flatbread or slice can be handy for teatime. If your child needs to eat strictly gluten-free, checking the packaging takes priority over choosing a particular shape.

Families who want to choose a shop in advance

Online bread categories can give you a starting point for your shopping. When you buy, check which product is available and what the current packaging says.

What should you look for when choosing?

If your child has coeliac disease, the gluten-free label is essential, whether you want to serve slices, rolls or flatbreads. Then choose the portion size and check where you can buy the product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free suitability Check the current packaging to see whether the product is labelled gluten-free. Also check the ingredients and allergen information. If my child has coeliac disease, I want to know first that the roll is gluten-free and make sure it doesn’t come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs during preparation; an estimated 50% of consumers put this first.
Easy-to-serve portions Check whether it comes as slices, individual rolls or flatbreads, and whether it needs baking. For a small teatime get-together, I want to serve a suitable portion after checking the gluten-free label. For around 30% of consumers, portion size comes first.
Availability Check the shop’s current range and inspect the packaging of your chosen product when you buy it. When I’m shopping for teatime, I want to know in advance where to look for suitable bread; for an estimated 20% of consumers, availability is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a tiger crust means the bread is gluten-free

    The name and appearance don’t tell you whether a product is gluten-free. For example, Albert Heijn lists a product called ‘Wheat Tiger Bread’.

    If your child has coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.

  • Preparing a gluten-free roll next to ordinary bread crumbs

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, cross-contamination can occur if gluten from ordinary bread gets onto a gluten-free product, for example via a knife, chopping board, hands or shared butter.

    Prepare the gluten-free portion with clean utensils and keep it separate from ordinary bread.

  • Relying only on an online product listing

    Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product details, including ingredients and allergen information, can change.

    Check the packaging again when you buy the product. If the roll is going to school or childcare, also ask about their arrangements for allergens and packing food.

  • Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether a loaf contains it just from the type of bread.

    For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt, or ask the baker.

Where to look for gluten-free bread

These shops offer online listings to help you find bread or rolls. If your child has coeliac disease, check whether your chosen product is suitable by reading its packaging.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a gluten-free bread category and product pages for brands including Consenza and Schär.

  • A starting point for comparing packaged bread and flatbreads.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the packaging when you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists gluten-free bread online in a range of shapes, including multiseed loaves and ciabattas.

  • The variety of shapes can help you choose a portion for teatime.
  • Check whether your chosen product is available and read the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS has a gluten-free bread category and its own multiseed variety.

  • A chance to compare an own-brand product with other packaged bread options.
  • PLUS notes that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about gluten-free products and a separate ingredients and allergen guide for freshly baked bread.

  • The guide can help you check a specific freshly baked product.
  • Check the current range and the information for the roll you want to buy.

ALDI

ALDI mentions gluten-free bread on a page about bake-at-home rolls and snacks.

  • A useful starting point if you’re looking for bread you can prepare at home.
  • For your chosen variety, check the product shape, gluten-free label and preparation instructions on the packaging.

Dirk

Dirk lists search results for gluten-free bread, including Schär Meisterbackers classic and Meisterbackers vital.

  • The product names give you a focused starting point for finding packaged bread.
  • Don’t treat ordinary tiger bread or a tiger roll from the same range as a gluten-free alternative.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a child with coeliac disease eat ordinary tiger bread?

Don’t rely on the tiger crust or product name. Choose bread whose packaging explicitly says it’s gluten-free for a child with coeliac disease. For example, Albert Heijn sells a product called ‘Wheat Tiger Bread’; that doesn’t mean you should treat it as gluten-free.

What should I look out for if there’s ordinary bread on the table too?

Keep gluten-free bread separate from ordinary bread and use clean utensils. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, gluten can also get onto a gluten-free product via crumbs and shared utensils or other items.

Does gluten-free bread contain baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; for packaged bread, you can check the ingredients list to see whether it’s used.