Event organisers catering for guests with coeliac disease
You need to be able to identify which bread is gluten-free and prevent it from being mixed up with regular bread during catering. Make sure allergen information is also available to guests.
Who is this bread alternative for?
Organisers of a shared bread lunch
You’re looking for a gluten-free option that’s easy to portion and serve clearly. An individual roll, crusty loaf or sliced bread could work well, even if it doesn’t look like tiger bread.
Buyers ordering from supermarkets
You want to check the ingredients, allergens, storage instructions and quantity per pack before the conference. Before placing your order, also check the range at your chosen shop.
What should you look for when choosing bread?
Start by checking that the exact bread is labelled gluten-free and planning how to serve it separately. Then choose a bread shape that suits the break, the fillings and your order.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the ‘gluten-free’ label and the ingredients and allergens for the exact product variant. According to EUR-Lex, ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of finished product. | When I’m buying bread for guests with coeliac disease, I want to be able to identify the chosen product clearly and keep it separate. Around 39% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Portions and serving | Choose a suitable format, such as sliced bread or rolls, and plan to use separate plates and serving tongs. | During a short conference break, I want to be able to serve portions without mixing up the gluten-free bread and regular bread. For around 23% of consumers, ease of serving is the main consideration. |
| Ordering and storage | Check the quantity you need, the order lead time and the storage instructions on the chosen pack. | When ordering for a fixed event date, I want to know whether I can get and store enough bread. This planning is the top concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Presentation | Check whether the bread shape suits the fillings and serving style; don’t judge whether it’s gluten-free by its crust. | I want the gluten-free portion to fit in with the bread lunch, even if it doesn’t have a tiger crust. Around 15% of consumers give presentation the highest priority. |
What mistakes can you avoid when serving it?
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Mistaking tiger bread for gluten-free bread
The name and crust don’t tell you whether a product is labelled gluten-free. The AH tiger bread described by Albert Heijn contains wheatmeal, wheat flour and wheat gluten.
Check the gluten-free label and the latest ingredients and allergen information for every product variant you choose.
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Putting gluten-free bread on a mixed buffet
Even with a suitable product, guests might mix up the bread or serving utensils might come into contact with gluten-containing bread. According to the European Commission, allergen information must be available for non-prepacked food.
Use separate, clearly identifiable plates and tongs. Make sure the catering team can give guests allergen information for the bread and fillings.
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Not checking for other allergens
A gluten-free label alone doesn’t answer questions about other ingredients or allergens.
Compare guests’ dietary requirements with the latest allergen information for both the exact bread variant and the fillings.
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Assuming the bread type tells you whether it contains iodine
Whether a product contains iodised salt varies. Jumbo lists iodised salt in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit bread.
If iodine information is relevant to your order, read the ingredients list for the product variant you’ll actually be serving.
Which brands offer bread alternatives?
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s range includes seeded bread, white rolls and individual rolls.
- A choice of bread types makes it easier to find a format for your bread lunch.
- Don’t confuse this range with regular AH tiger bread: the tiger bread described contains wheat and wheat gluten.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo describes Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit as a 500 g gluten-free loaf.
- It’s a prepacked loaf, so you can check the information on the chosen pack before serving.
- It isn’t tiger bread; also check that the other ingredients and allergens are suitable for your guests.
Consenza
Consenza offers fresh gluten-free loaves and individual rolls.
- According to Consenza, its fresh loaves are baked in a fully gluten-free bakery certified by the Dutch Coeliac Association.
- An individual roll or crusty loaf won’t necessarily have the shape or crust of tiger bread. Check the product variant you choose and the ordering terms for your conference.
ALDI
ALDI describes gluten-free options in its bread and bake-off range, and also lists regular tiger bread.
- Bake-off rolls could be a good option if you want to prepare them just before the break.
- Don’t assume a tiger bread variant is gluten-free just because tiger bread is in the range. Check the exact packaging and preparation instructions.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve regular tiger bread as a gluten-free option at a conference?
No, not if it contains ingredients with gluten. The AH tiger bread described contains wheatmeal, wheat flour and wheat gluten. For guests with coeliac disease, serve a separately managed bread that is labelled gluten-free.
What does the ‘gluten-free’ label on bread mean?
According to EUR-Lex, ‘gluten-free’ means that the finished product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the label on the packaging or product information for the exact variant you’re ordering.
What allergen information do guests need at a bread buffet?
According to the European Commission, allergen information must be available for non-prepacked food. Make sure guests can access information about both the bread and the fillings on offer, and keep the gluten-free option clearly identifiable.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t tell from the gluten-free label. Jumbo lists iodised salt in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit; for another bread, check the ingredients list for the exact product variant.