Families where someone has coeliac disease
For these households, choosing bread clearly labelled gluten-free comes first. According to the Voedingscentrum, coeliac disease requires a lifelong gluten-free diet.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Larger households looking to store bread
When you have lots of breakfasts and lunches to cater for, the pack weight, number of servings and storage instructions can help you plan your supplies.
Shoppers who need to check the label more carefully
If you also need to check for other allergens, ingredients, fibre or iodised salt, look up this information for the specific loaf.
What should you look for when choosing?
If coeliac disease is a factor, start by checking for a gluten-free label. Then compare servings and storage, and read any other label information that matters to your household.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check that ‘gluten-free’ appears on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and allergen information. | If someone in my family has coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on ‘wheat-free’ alone. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise a gluten-free label. |
| Servings and supplies | Compare the weight, stated number of servings and storage or freezing instructions. | When I’m buying bread for lots of breakfasts and lunches, I want to know how long a pack will last. For around 29% of shoppers, servings and supplies are the first things to consider. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is used, and compare the fibre per 100 g. | When I replace our usual bread, I want to be able to see what ingredients and fibre values the alternative offers. Around 21% of shoppers prioritise this nutritional information. |
| Food waste | Choose an amount that suits how much you use, and follow the storage instructions. | If we won’t get through a loaf in time, I’d rather buy an amount that suits us. Minimising waste is the main priority for around 14% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wheat-free’ means ‘gluten-free’
For someone with coeliac disease, these labels are not interchangeable. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food for the final consumer can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ when it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Check the packaging of the bread you’re buying to see whether it says ‘gluten-free’.
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Assuming all gluten-free bread contains iodised salt
The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers are not required to use it.
Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
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Buying a larger pack without a storage plan
The loaves listed come in different sizes: Jumbo states 500 g, Albert Heijn 480 g and Schär 300 g. A larger pack is only practical if your household will use it in time or can store it according to the product instructions.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use, and check the instructions for that loaf before freezing it.
Bread that passes its use-by date before you can eat it may go to waste.
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Taking ‘gluten-free’ to mean ‘free from other allergens’
Some of the varieties listed contain soya or warn that other allergens may be present. The gluten-free label tells you nothing about this.
If you have additional allergies, check the allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn Glutenvrij
The Gluten-free White half loaf is a 480 g white loaf for anyone who wants to plan portions and freeze their bread.
- Albert Heijn states that it provides 12 servings of 40 g and can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- The bread may contain egg, milk, soya, oats and nuts, among other allergens. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
The white variety comes in a 500 g pack, giving you a clear size to compare with your family’s needs.
- Jumbo states that this variety provides around 12 servings and contains iodised salt.
- This variety contains soya and may contain egg, milk and nuts.
PLUS
PLUS has its own gluten-free white bread; check the ingredients for this variety separately.
- The product information lists ingredients including tapioca starch, chickpea flour and iodised salt.
- This variety contains soya and may contain oats, egg, milk and nuts, among other allergens.
Schär
Meesterbakker classic is a 300 g gluten-free white loaf, smaller than the Albert Heijn and Jumbo loaves listed here.
- The product information from PLUS states that it contains 8.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- If you eat a lot of bread, 300 g may not last long. The product contains soya and may contain lupin and mustard.
Gluten-free bread option at Joybuy
If you’d like to bake your own white gluten-free rolls, take a look at these mini baguettes. They’re not the same as a ready-to-eat white loaf for your family’s supplies.
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Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces
An option if you’d like to bake your own gluten-free white rolls instead of buying ready-to-eat white bread.
The product name states that there are 7 pieces. Check the current packaging for the gluten-free label, total weight and allergen information; the product information lists soya and says that lupin and mustard may be present.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘wheat-free’ enough for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, food for the final consumer can only carry this label if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the current label.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers are not required to use it. So check the ingredients for each loaf to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
Can I freeze gluten-free white bread?
You can if the instructions for that particular bread say it’s suitable for freezing. Albert Heijn states that Gluten-free White half loaf can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
Should I check for other allergens as well as gluten?
Yes. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean that bread is free from other allergens: the varieties listed contain soya and may also list other allergens. Read the allergen information for the product you choose, especially if someone in your household has an additional allergy.