If you have coeliac disease, a packaged roll labelled ‘gluten-free’ gives you more opportunity to check the label and packaging than a roll from a festival food stall. Choose a format you can take with you, keep the bread separate from food containing gluten, and only rely on a stall if the seller can clearly explain how they prevent cross-contamination.
You want to choose a gluten-free product in advance and avoid it coming into contact with food containing gluten at the festival. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends asking food stalls how they prevent cross-contamination.
You buy your bread or rolls before setting off and want to eat them without relying on a festival food stall. The size, whether you need to prepare them at home and the storage instructions will determine which format is practical.
You want to know whether the ingredients list for a gluten-free loaf mentions iodised salt or baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt, so you can’t tell from the type of bread alone.
Start by checking for the ‘gluten-free’ label, then consider how you’ll keep the bread separate from food containing gluten at the festival. Next, compare the bread format and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating gluten-free without cross-contamination | Read the gluten-free label and allergen information; keep the product separate from food containing gluten. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to choose my own bread rather than rely on unclear food preparation at a stall. For around 46% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Taking it with you and preparing it | Check the portions, preparation instructions and storage instructions. | With a small bag, I want to take bread that I can prepare before setting off and eat easily during the festival. This convenience matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Bread format and ingredients | Compare the format with how you plan to use it, and read the ingredients list, especially if iodised salt matters to you. | When replacing tiger bread, I want to be able to choose between options such as a whole loaf and small rolls, without making assumptions about the ingredients. Around 18% of consumers give this comparison top priority. |
Appearance tells you nothing about whether a product is labelled gluten-free. ‘Wheat-free’ does not automatically rule out other sources of gluten or cross-contamination.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the current ingredients and allergen information.
Even a roll that is gluten-free in itself can come into contact with gluten during preparation or serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society therefore recommends asking about cross-contamination.
Ask how the stall keeps preparation, utensils and serving areas separate. If the explanation isn’t clear, bring your own packaged bread.
PLUS points out that product ingredients and allergy information can change. A description you viewed previously may therefore not match the packaging of the product you buy.
Check the physical packaging again before buying or eating the bread.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. You can’t tell whether a product contains iodised salt from the ‘gluten-free’ label.
If you want to check, look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ in the ingredients list of the product you choose.
Albert Heijn lists a range of gluten-free breads, rolls and Schär products online.
Jumbo lists gluten-free white and brown bread, sourdough, ciabatta and smaller bread formats online.
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread online, alongside products from Yam.
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread in its online information about bread and bakery products.
Dirk lists gluten-free Schär loaves and a mini baguette online.
Lidl describes a gluten-free range online.
This mini baguette is a bread format to consider if you want to prepare your own alternative before the festival. Before using it, check the gluten-free label, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging; the name does not indicate that it is tiger bread.
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The mini baguette format may suit you if you want to prepare bread for yourself and take it with you before setting off.
Check the packaging to see how many rolls are included, how they should be prepared and stored, and which allergens are listed. Also check whether the packaging says ‘gluten-free’.
No. ‘Wheat-free’ is not a substitute for checking that a product is labelled ‘gluten-free’. On its own, it tells you nothing about other sources of gluten or cross-contamination, so check the ingredients and allergen information too.
Only choose one if the seller can clearly explain that it is gluten-free and how they prevent contact with gluten during preparation and serving. Ask about utensils and the work area; if the answer isn’t clear, bring your own packaged alternative.
Use clean, separate utensils and avoid contact with crumbs from food containing gluten. Keep the bread wrapped for as long as possible; the Dutch Coeliac Society also recommends using a separate area for gluten-free food.
No, you can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ on the product you choose.
