Who is this relevant to?

Picnickers with coeliac disease

You need bread clearly labelled gluten-free. The name tiger bread says nothing about whether it is suitable; even after buying it, you need to keep the bread away from crumbs containing gluten.

Organisers of a mixed picnic

You’re taking both ordinary and gluten-free bread. The Dutch Coeliac Association warns that crumbs from ordinary bread can get onto gluten-free bread, so it’s important to transport and serve them separately.

Anyone looking for an alternative to tiger bread

You’re looking for a gluten-free type of bread to suit your picnic, such as a whole loaf, ciabatta or small rolls. Choose based on the product’s labelling, not on an assumed resemblance to a tiger crust.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, first check that the product is labelled gluten-free and read the full allergen information. Then work out how you’ll keep the bread separate during transport and serving. Only after that should the type of bread become the deciding factor.

What to look for What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Gluten-free labelling Check the current packaging for the words ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free logo, and read the allergen information and any warnings. If I’m taking bread for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the name tiger bread; around 42% of consumers prioritise gluten-free labelling.
Serving separately Take the gluten-free bread in separate packaging and use clean, separate serving utensils if you’re also bringing ordinary bread. At a picnic with ordinary bread, I want to stop crumbs getting onto the gluten-free bread; for around 33% of consumers, serving separately is the main priority.
Type of bread and packaging Compare a whole loaf with individual rolls, considering the contents, packaging and preparation instructions. Once I’ve settled on a gluten-free option, I want a format that’s easy to take along for each person; around 25% of consumers prioritise the type of bread.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the tiger crust means it’s gluten-free

    The name and decoration don’t prove that the whole loaf is gluten-free. Jumbo lists wheat, barley and wheat gluten among the ingredients in its Boeren Tijgerbrood Volkoren.

    Check that the product you’re actually taking is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and read the ingredients.

  • Using the same knife or chopping board

    Even bread bought as gluten-free can come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when it’s served.

    Keep the bread in its own packaging until you’re ready to serve it, and use a clean knife, clean tongs or a separate board.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    The label ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t mean that a loaf is free from all other allergens.

    Read the full allergen information if anyone at the picnic also needs to avoid other ingredients.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodine

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine can be added through baker’s salt, but that doesn’t mean every loaf contains iodised salt.

    If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific product.

Brands and shops to explore

These ranges can help you find a gluten-free type of bread, but the labelling on the product you buy is what matters.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online gluten-free bread category, including its own-brand products.

  • A dedicated bread category makes it easy to compare different types and packaging.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so always check the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists gluten-free bread separately from its regular tiger bread.

  • The range includes options such as gluten-free white bread.
  • Jumbo’s Boeren Tijgerbrood Volkoren contains wheat, barley and wheat gluten; don’t confuse it with a gluten-free product.

PLUS

PLUS lists gluten-free bread options, including loaves and bread rolls.

  • You can compare a whole loaf with smaller types of bread.
  • Check each product for other allergens too; ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t cover those.

Dirk

Dirk lists Schär gluten-free ciabatta and mini baguettes, among other products.

  • Smaller types of bread offer an alternative to a whole loaf when packing for a picnic.
  • Check the labelling and preparation instructions on the pack you choose.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about its gluten-free range.

  • Range information can be a useful starting point when looking for a specific product.
  • Before your picnic, check which specific bread products are available and read their labels.

ALDI

ALDI’s Dutch bread and bakery information refers shoppers to ingredient and allergen details.

  • Use this information to assess a specific bread product.
  • A general bread category isn’t the same as a gluten-free product label, so check the packaging itself.

Bread options on Joybuy

These mini baguettes are one small-bread option for a picnic. Before buying, check that the packaging meets the gluten-free needs of the person you’re taking them for.

Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces

Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces

This mini baguette format could be a good fit for a picnic where you want to portion out bread for each person.

The product name says there are seven pieces. Check the current gluten-free labelling and allergen information, and before setting off, find out whether this SKU needs to be baked or prepared as a baking mix. If you’re having a mixed picnic, keep the bread separate from bread containing gluten.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I take ordinary tiger bread for someone with coeliac disease?

Don’t assume that ordinary tiger bread is gluten-free. Jumbo lists wheat, barley and wheat gluten in its Boeren Tijgerbrood Volkoren. For someone with coeliac disease, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current label.

What should I look for on gluten-free bread packaging?

Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free logo, and also read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings. The name or type of bread is no substitute for checking.

How should I serve gluten-free bread alongside ordinary bread?

Keep the gluten-free bread in separate packaging and use clean, separate serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Association gives crumbs from ordinary bread getting onto gluten-free bread as an example of cross-contamination.

Does gluten-free bread always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the type of bread or its gluten-free labelling. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine can be added through baker’s salt. If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific loaf.