For a guest with coeliac disease, choose bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free and serve it separately from ordinary bread, using clean utensils reserved for it. Then decide whether slices or individual rolls will work better for your buffet, and check the packaging for other allergens and preparation instructions.
You’re looking for bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent it coming into contact with crumbs or cutlery from ordinary bread at the buffet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
You want to serve bread rolls separately, so guests don’t have to cut their own slices from a shared loaf. PLUS, for example, lists gluten-free white rolls alongside gluten-free white bread.
As well as gluten, you need to consider your guests’ other allergies. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that gluten-free bread may contain other allergens or carry warnings about them.
First, check that the bread is labelled gluten-free and set aside a separate area for it. Then choose how you’ll serve it and read the packaging for information about other allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free bread | Look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging. Use a separate plate and clean utensils reserved for the bread. | If I’m hosting a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent crumbs from ordinary bread getting onto their bread or cutlery. This precaution is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Shape and portions | Compare the pack sizes and choose between sliced bread and individual rolls. If you’re buying part-baked rolls, read the preparation instructions. | For a buffet where guests help themselves, I find individual portions handy to serve. This serving style is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on every pack, even if the product is gluten-free. | If guests have other allergies too, I want to know which ingredients and warnings are relevant to them. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
Crumbs and shared cutlery can still bring gluten into contact with bread you’ve bought separately.
Use a clean, separate chopping board, knife and tongs, and serve the bread on a covered plate. Keep spreads and spreading knives separate too.
A label such as ‘wheat-free’ is not a substitute for a gluten-free label when choosing food for someone with coeliac disease.
Follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice: choose a product labelled gluten-free or bearing the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the label.
Gluten-free bread may contain soya, for example, or carry warnings about egg, milk or nuts. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from these other allergens.
Ask in advance which allergens are relevant to your guests, then check the ingredients and warnings on the pack you’re actually serving.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half as a pre-packed half white loaf weighing 480 g.
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit as a 500 g gluten-free white loaf.
PLUS lists gluten-free white bread and gluten-free white rolls, offering two different ways to serve bread at a buffet.
Dirk lists Schär Meisterbäckers Classic, Vital and gluten-free mini baguettes as bread options in different serving styles.
ALDI lists gluten-free bread options among its bread rolls and part-baked products.
Lidl lists gluten-free options in its range, but in October 2026 it stated that additional gluten-free products were not available at that time.
These mini baguettes are worth considering if you want to serve bread individually. Before buying, check whether the pack contains part-baked rolls or a bread mix.
No image available
The product name suggests mini baguettes, a shape you can serve individually at a buffet. Check whether you’ll receive part-baked rolls or a mix, and how many pieces are in the pack. If you’re serving a guest with coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free label on the packaging. For guests with other allergies, also check the information about soya, lupin and mustard. Use separate, clean equipment for preparation and serving.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free or bears the Crossed Grain symbol. Then make sure it doesn’t come into contact with crumbs or cutlery from ordinary bread.
Place the bread on its own covered plate, away from ordinary bread. Use a separate chopping board, knife and tongs, and make sure guests don’t use shared cutlery or spreads that have come into contact with bread crumbs.
Yes. Gluten-free doesn’t mean that bread is free from soya, egg, milk or nuts, for example. If a guest has an additional allergy, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) highlights the importance of allergen information on pre-packed products.
You can’t assume that it does. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list iodised salt in the products discussed here, but check the ingredients list on the bread you buy rather than assuming the same applies to other loaves.
