If you’re hosting someone with coeliac disease, choose white bread with a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging, and keep it separate from regular bread when preparing and serving it. Then compare allergens, bread type and portion sizes, and check whether your chosen option is available at your store. Gluten-free does not automatically mean free from other allergens.
You’re looking for bread labelled gluten-free, and a way to prepare and serve it without crumbs from regular bread. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
For sandwiches, toast or open sandwiches, the type of bread, number of portions and storage instructions all matter. Albert Heijn and Jumbo, for example, list gluten-free white loaves; PLUS also has an individual white roll.
If someone needs to avoid soya, milk, eggs or nuts as well as gluten, the gluten-free label isn’t enough. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that ingredients and allergen warnings vary between products.
Start by checking the gluten-free label and taking steps to prevent cross-contamination. Then choose between sliced bread and rolls, and compare the other information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing gluten-free bread and serving it separately | Check for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. If you’re also serving regular bread, use clean, separate utensils and keep spreads separate. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to buy the right bread and keep crumbs from regular bread well away from it. This would be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, even if the bread is gluten-free. | If someone has another allergy, I need to know whether this particular bread contains soya or milk, or carries a warning about eggs or nuts. Around 29% of consumers would make this additional check their priority. |
| Bread type, portions and availability | Choose between slices and rolls, work out how much you need, and check availability at your store. | For Easter brunch, I want enough suitable portions without relying on a product that isn’t available. This practical choice would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Nutrition information and iodine | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and check the ingredients list for iodised salt. | If there are several suitable breads, I want to compare their fibre and ingredients. This nutritional information would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
A bread’s name or the absence of wheat does not confirm that it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the food contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten when sold to the final consumer.
Check the gluten-free label on the current packaging of the bread you’re buying.
A shared toaster, crumbs on a chopping board or butter that has touched regular bread can contaminate gluten-free bread. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Use clean, separate utensils and serve the gluten-free bread separately with its own spreads.
According to Jumbo, Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit contains soya and may contain eggs, milk and nuts. The gluten-free white breads from Albert Heijn and PLUS also carry warnings about other allergens.
Ask about any other allergies before brunch and check the ingredients on the packaging you’ve chosen.
A product listing doesn’t mean that the item is available in every store. For example, PLUS lists a gluten-free white roll that was unavailable at the selected location.
Check availability at your store or for your delivery address. If you’re buying in advance, follow the storage instructions for your chosen product.
These ranges offer different options for white sliced bread or rolls. Always check the exact product, packaging and availability.
AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half is a 480 g white loaf for anyone looking to serve slices at brunch.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit is a 500 g white loaf; Jumbo lists around 12 portions.
PLUS lists both a gluten-free white loaf and a separate white roll, giving you a choice between sliced bread and an individual roll.
Dirk’s search results for gluten-free bread include products such as Schär Meisterbäckers Classic and Vital.
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread in its information about snacks and bake-at-home rolls.
Lidl provides information about a gluten-free range, but you’ll need to check separately for a specific white bread option.
No. Check whether the packaging labels the bread ‘gluten-free’; ‘wheat-free’ doesn’t mean the same thing. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food sold to the final consumer can only be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Yes. If you’re also preparing or serving regular bread, make sure crumbs don’t come into contact with the gluten-free bread. Use clean, separate utensils and separate spreads; the Voedingscentrum says that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Yes. Jumbo lists soya as an ingredient in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit and warns that it may contain eggs, milk and nuts. PLUS lists soya in PLUS Wit glutenvrij and includes warnings about other allergens. Read the packaging for the exact product, especially if a guest has another allergy.
No, don’t assume that it does. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists iodised salt in the relevant gluten-free white breads, but check the ingredients list on the bread you actually buy.
