Who is this choice relevant to?

An older guest with coeliac disease

Needs bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free. As the Dutch Coeliac Society emphasises, their portion must also be kept away from crumbs from ordinary bread while it is being prepared and served.

Host or carer

Serving both ordinary and gluten-free bread at the same coffee break? Separate, clean knives, chopping boards, bread baskets and spreads help prevent the portions from coming into contact with each other.

Buying smaller portions

For a small group, you may prefer a half loaf or individual white rolls to a whole loaf. The format helps you plan portions, but you should still check the ingredients and allergens on each pack.

What should you look for when choosing?

If your guest has coeliac disease, start by checking for a gluten-free label and planning a separate way to serve the bread. Then compare portion formats and the ingredients in the exact product.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving gluten-free bread Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label. If you’re also serving ordinary bread, use separate, clean serving utensils. When I’m hosting someone with coeliac disease, I want to prevent crumbs from getting onto their bread. For around 46% of consumers, keeping the portions safely separate is the top priority.
Portion and preparation Compare a half loaf with individual rolls, and check whether the product needs to be baked before serving. For a small coffee break, I want bread I can prepare as separate portions without much slicing. For around 27% of consumers, convenience comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current packaging for other allergens and, if relevant, iodised salt. If a guest needs to avoid another ingredient as well as gluten, I want to check the exact bread. Its ingredients are the main concern for around 18% of consumers.
Availability Before your coffee break, check whether your chosen shop has the exact product in stock. If I need bread at short notice, I want to know where I can buy the variety I’ve chosen. Availability matters most to around 9% of consumers.

Common mistakes when buying and serving

  • Relying on gluten-free ingredients alone

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, processed ingredients made from grains that are naturally gluten-free can still contain gluten. So, for a guest with coeliac disease, checking the ingredients list alone is no substitute for a gluten-free label on the product.

    Check the current packaging to make sure the bread is labelled ‘gluten-free’.

  • Serving ordinary and gluten-free bread with the same utensils

    The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs and shared kitchen utensils can transfer gluten to a gluten-free portion.

    Prepare and serve that portion with a separate, clean knife and board, and use spreads that haven’t been shared.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists toasted soya flour in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit.

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of each bread you choose.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt. This doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in a particular loaf.

    Check the ingredients of the exact product if iodised salt is important to your guest.

Brands and product ranges to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half, a pack size worth considering for a small coffee break.

  • A half white loaf could be a good choice if you don’t want to cut into a whole loaf.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information may change, so check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit in a 500 g pack.

  • The product name makes it easy to search for this specific gluten-free white bread.
  • Jumbo lists soya flour and iodised salt among the ingredients in this variety. Check the current packaging if either matters to your guest.

Consenza

Albert Heijn lists gluten-free white bread, white rolls and a white bread mix from Consenza.

  • The rolls offer a different portion size, while the bread mix is an option if you’d like to bake your own.
  • Baking your own takes preparation and requires a work area free from contact with gluten. Check the packaging for each variety.

Schär

Schär features in online ranges of gluten-free bread. Albert Heijn, for example, lists Pure & Active seed bread and Pain Campagnard.

  • The brand can be a useful starting point when comparing gluten-free breads.
  • Check the name of the specific variety if you’re looking for white bread in particular.

Bread portions on Joybuy

These mini baguettes are worth considering if you’d like to prepare individual portions for a coffee break. Bear in mind that they need to be baked before serving. If your guest has coeliac disease, check the current packaging for a gluten-free label.

Gv Mini Baguette, 7 pieces

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

The mini baguettes can be prepared individually for a coffee break, but the product information says they need to be baked at home. If your guest has coeliac disease, check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and any allergens. Use clean, separate utensils when preparing and serving them.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can bread be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under EU Regulation 828/2014, a food can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in the form in which it is sold to consumers. Check the label on the bread you choose for a guest with coeliac disease.

Is gluten-free bread safe to serve alongside ordinary bread?

If your guest has coeliac disease, you’ll need to serve it separately to avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using clean, separate utensils, and taking care with shared bread baskets and jars of spreads too.

Does every older person need gluten-free bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people without coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or diagnosed gluten sensitivity don’t need to eat gluten-free. So don’t choose gluten-free bread based on age alone.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that every loaf does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt. Check the label of your chosen product for its ingredients.

How can I keep bread separate for a small coffee break?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep it away from ordinary bread and its crumbs. If you’re preparing portions in advance for someone with coeliac disease, use clean, separate utensils and store the portions apart.