For a guest with coeliac disease, choose bread whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the crossed grain symbol, and keep it separate from ordinary bread during preparation and serving. Gluten-free rolls or mini baguettes are an option for individual portions. If you use a bread mix, you’ll need to bake it yourself and keep the worktop and utensils separate too.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent it from coming into contact with ordinary bread during preparation or at the table. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
You want to be able to offer your guest an individual portion. Jumbo lists gluten-free mini baguettes and ciabatta from Schär, while PLUS lists gluten-free white rolls. Check the packaging and any preparation instructions for the product you choose.
You want to arrange the bread before the day of the dinner and store it as directed on the packaging. Albert Heijn says that AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
Choose this if: you want to serve slices or buy the bread in advance.
Bear in mind: slicing and adding toppings call for a separate board and clean utensils.
Choose this if: you want to be able to offer each guest an individual roll.
Bear in mind: preparation methods and the number of rolls vary by pack.
Choose this if: you want to prepare the bread yourself and have chosen a gluten-free mix or bake-off product.
Bear in mind: you’ll need extra preparation time and must keep utensils and surfaces separate.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and serving separately | Check the current packaging and plan to use a separate board, knife or basket for the gluten-free bread. | If my guest has coeliac disease, I want to be able to identify which bread is for them and prevent crumbs from ordinary bread getting onto it. This is the main concern for around 50% of consumers. |
| Type of bread and portions | Check whether slices or individual rolls are suitable for serving, and look at the number of pieces or the weight. | I want to be able to offer each guest their own portion without taking bread from a shared basket. This presentation and portioning is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Buying in advance and storage | Check the range before the dinner and follow the storage, defrosting or baking instructions on the packaging. | When I’m preparing dinner, I want to have the bread at home in good time and know how to store it until serving. Around 20% of consumers say this planning is their top priority. |
Wheat isn’t the only grain that contains gluten; rye and barley contain it too. The type of bread or the absence of wheat alone doesn’t make a product suitable for a guest with coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging to see whether the product is labelled ‘gluten-free’ or displays the crossed grain symbol.
Crumbs and shared utensils can contaminate gluten-free bread. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Use clean, separate items for storage, preparation and serving, and put the gluten-free bread in a separate place on the table.
‘Gluten-free’ says nothing about whether other allergens are present. For example, Jumbo lists soya in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit and names egg, milk and nuts as possible allergens.
Ask your guest about any relevant allergies and check the current allergen information for each product you choose.
An online range doesn’t tell you which variety will be available in your chosen shop at the time you need it. Some products also need to be defrosted or baked off.
Check with your chosen shop in good time and read how to store and prepare the product before buying it.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half, 480 g, for anyone looking to serve sliced white bread or buy it in advance.
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit, 500 g, as well as a gluten-free white bread mix.
Jumbo lists Schär Mini Baguette and Ciabatta Rustica as gluten-free bread options; Dirk also lists a Schär mini baguette.
PLUS lists both gluten-free white bread and gluten-free white rolls, giving you a choice between slices and individual rolls.
ALDI includes gluten-free bread and rolls in its bake-off range.
This product selection is for baking bread yourself for dinner, not for serving ready-to-eat white bread. For a guest with coeliac disease, check the current packaging and keep preparation separate from ordinary bread.
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This bread mix is an option if you want to bake bread yourself for dinner; it isn’t ready to serve.
Before use, check the current gluten-free labelling, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging. Use clean, separate utensils and equipment for your guest with coeliac disease.
No. Wheat-free doesn’t automatically mean gluten-free: rye and barley contain gluten too. For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a product labelled gluten-free on the current packaging or displaying the crossed grain symbol.
For a guest with coeliac disease, serve it separately to prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. Also use a clean board, a separate knife and separate serving utensils.
Yes. A gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. Ask your guest which allergies are relevant and check the current packaging, even if a shop’s website lists allergen information.
No. The presence of iodised salt doesn’t determine whether bread is gluten-free. Check the gluten-free labelling on the current packaging, and prevent contact with ordinary bread during preparation and serving.
