If you’re shopping for someone with coeliac disease, choose pre-packed white bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain symbol; ‘wheat-free’ alone isn’t enough. Then compare the nutritional information and allergen details, and check whether iodised salt is listed. At home, keep the bread away from crumbs from ordinary bread.
If you’re starting to shop gluten-free consistently, you’ll want to recognise the wording on the packaging and avoid contact with ordinary bread crumbs at home. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the gluten-free label and the Crossed Grain symbol; the Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of cross-contamination when preparing bread.
Once gluten-free bread becomes part of your regular shop, pack size, storage instructions and the range available at your local supermarket all matter.
If you prefer white bread, you can compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Start by checking the gluten-free label and allergen information on the current packaging. Then compare the nutritional information, pack size and how easy it is to find at your supermarket.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging, and check the allergen information too. | If I’m buying bread for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a ‘wheat-free’ description alone. Around 33% of shoppers put this gluten-free assurance first. |
| Fibre and iodised salt | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. | If I prefer white bread, I want to take the nutritional information into account rather than assume what it contains based on the type of bread. Around 27% of shoppers give this the highest priority. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and storage instructions before choosing a whole or half loaf. | If I’m trying a bread for the first time, I want to buy an amount my household can use. Around 20% of shoppers put this consideration first. |
| Availability | Check the current range and stock at the shop where you plan to do your shopping. | If I rely on one supermarket, I want to know in advance whether I can find a suitable option there. Around 20% of shoppers put availability first. |
Avoiding wheat doesn’t rule out other gluten-containing grains or contact with gluten during production. That’s why ‘wheat-free’ alone isn’t enough to rely on when buying bread for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging each time for the ‘gluten-free’ label or Crossed Grain symbol, as described by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says crumbs can get onto gluten-free bread via a chopping board or knife. Spreads touched with a used knife also need extra care.
Store the bread separately and use clean utensils and spreads that are free from crumbs from ordinary bread.
The stated fibre content varies from product to product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the fibre per 100 g on the label, then look separately to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients.
Albert Heijn lists AH Gluten-free White Bread, Half Loaf as gluten-free white bread, baked in a dedicated gluten-free bakery.
Jumbo lists a 500 g loaf of gluten-free white bread in its Lekker Vrij range.
PLUS lists its own gluten-free white bread alongside other types of gluten-free bread.
Schär Meesterbakker Classic is a gluten-free white bread listed as a branded product by PLUS and Dirk.
Dirk lists the 300 g Schär Meesterbakker Classic in its online range.
This product selection features mini baguettes rather than a whole loaf of white bread. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check the current packaging to make sure the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free before use.
No image available
Mini baguettes are a different portion option from a whole loaf. Check the preparation instructions and net weight before buying, as the product information isn’t clear on these details. Also check the current packaging for gluten-free labelling, soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard.
For pre-packed bread, look for the ‘gluten-free’ label or Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that ‘gluten-free’ means less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product; check the allergen information as well.
No. ‘Wheat-free’ alone doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free: gluten is also found in rye and barley, among other grains. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for each loaf to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed.
Store gluten-free bread separately and use a clean knife and chopping board. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that crumbs can get onto bread via utensils, so check spreads for crumbs too.
Use it to compare products in advance, but check the current packaging before use. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that product information can change.
