For a guest with coeliac disease, choose bread clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and keep it separate from ordinary bread and crumbs when serving. Pre-sliced bread is convenient if you want to prepare sandwiches in advance; gluten-free bake-at-home rolls take more preparation but are a good choice for warm portions. Check the product you choose for other allergens too, and, if gluten-free bread is a regular part of your menu, compare its nutritional information and ingredients.
You’re looking for bread labelled gluten-free and want to prevent crumbs, shared utensils or toppings from coming into contact with it. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a stray bread crumb can matter for someone with coeliac disease.
You want to be able to shop and prepare portions in advance. Sliced bread takes less last-minute preparation than bake-at-home rolls; check the packaging and preparation instructions for both.
If gluten-free bread regularly replaces ordinary bread, you’ll want to compare fibre, salt and ingredients. The Voedingscentrum identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands; check the label to see whether your chosen bread contains it.
When you’re having coffee with a guest who has coeliac disease, first check that the bread is labelled gluten-free and make sure it won’t come into contact with ordinary bread. The portions you want to serve, the ingredients and any other allergies will then help you decide which type of bread to choose.
Choose this when: you want to prepare several sandwiches in advance.
Consider: even a gluten-free white loaf may contain other allergens; check the label on the pack you buy.
Choose these when: you want to serve warm, individual portions.
Consider: you’ll need time to bake them and must prevent contact with crumbs and used utensils.
Choose this when: you want to bake your own and can keep the ingredients and work surface gluten-free.
Consider: you’ll need to take extra care with flour, baking tins and shared utensils.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging; use separate utensils and toppings when serving. | When I’m hosting a guest with coeliac disease, I want to stop ordinary bread crumbs getting onto their portion. Gluten safety is the top priority for around 39% of consumers. |
| Portions and preparation | Compare sliced bread with bake-at-home rolls, and read the storage and preparation instructions. | For a group, I want to be able to prepare portions in advance, or serve warm rolls if there’s time. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ease of serving above all else. |
| Nutritional information and iodine | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g; check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. | Anyone who regularly eats gluten-free bread will want to compare its ingredients and keep an eye on sources of iodine. Nutritional value is the most important factor for around 23% of consumers. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Read the allergen declaration and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy. | If a guest also has a soya or nut allergy, I’ll want to know whether the bread meets their dietary requirements too. For around 15% of consumers, other allergens or dietary preferences are their main concern. |
An ingredients list with no obvious wheat ingredients doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free. According to the European Commission, the ‘gluten-free’ label may only be used on food for end consumers if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and check the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.
The Voedingscentrum says that even a stray bread crumb can matter for someone with coeliac disease. A shared bread knife, toaster or butter dish could therefore still lead to contact with gluten.
Use clean, separate utensils and keep gluten-free bread and toppings apart from ordinary bread.
Product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit and PLUS Wit glutenvrij lists soya and warns that other allergens may be present. The gluten-free label doesn’t answer these additional allergy questions.
Ask about other allergies and read the allergen declaration for the exact product you’re buying.
The Voedingscentrum identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Not all bread is made with baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. If you have questions about following a gluten-free diet long term, speak to a dietitian.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free bread range includes AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half.
Jumbo offers its own gluten-free white bread alongside other types of gluten-free bread.
PLUS offers gluten-free white bread and gluten-free pistolets as different serving options.
Dirk stocks several types of gluten-free bread from Schär, including mini baguettes and ciabatta.
ALDI Netherlands includes gluten-free bread and rolls in its bakery range.
Lidl provides information about its gluten-free range, but doesn’t list a specific gluten-free white bread on that page.
No, ordinary white bread containing gluten isn’t suitable. Choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’; according to the European Commission, food for end consumers carrying this label must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
Yes, as long as you prevent crumbs or shared utensils from coming into contact with the gluten-free portion. The Voedingscentrum also warns that even small amounts of gluten can matter for someone with coeliac disease, so use separate knives, plates and toppings.
No. Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose. The Voedingscentrum identifies bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you which salt has been used.
Use the product page to compare options, but check the packaging of the product you buy before serving it. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product and allergen information may change.
Yes, the gluten-free label says nothing about other allergens. For example, Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit and PLUS Wit glutenvrij list soya and warn that other allergens may be present; always check the declaration on the pack you choose.
