Guest with coeliac disease
Needs bread labelled gluten-free that won’t come into contact with crumbs from regular bread. The Dutch Coeliac Society also recommends preventing cross-contamination when serving.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Mother’s Day brunch organiser
Wants to choose between sliced bread for toast or sandwiches and individual rolls, without having to bake a whole loaf for brunch.
Gluten-free eater who checks labels
Compares ingredients and nutritional information, such as fibre per 100 g and the type of salt listed. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the label states whether baker’s salt has been used in the bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that the bread is labelled gluten-free, and plan to serve it separately. Then choose a bread style and pack size to suit the number of guests and the brunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choose gluten-free and serve separately | Check the current packaging for the gluten-free label and set out clean, separate utensils and equipment. Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, this label may only be used if the food contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg when sold to consumers. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I don’t want crumbs from the regular bread basket ending up on their bread. This check comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Bread style and availability | Choose between sliced bread for toast or sandwiches and individual rolls; check which option is available to buy. | For a brunch platter, I want to serve individual rolls, while sandwiches call for slices. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this choice of bread style. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients list to see what type of salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says the use of baker’s salt is not compulsory. | If I’m keeping an eye on fibre or the type of salt used, I want to be able to check this on the bread packaging. For around 21% of consumers, nutritional information is the first thing they consider. |
| Portions and packaging | Check the pack contents, the number of rolls or slices, and the storage instructions on the packaging. | If only one guest is eating gluten-free, I want to serve enough without having lots of bread left over. For around 14% of consumers, finding the right pack size matters most. |
Common mistakes when buying and serving
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Assuming regular white bread is gluten-free
The bread’s white colour or where it sits on the supermarket shelf tells you nothing about whether it’s suitable for a guest with coeliac disease.
Check that the specific product is labelled gluten-free.
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Slicing gluten-free bread next to regular bread
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs and used kitchen utensils can cause cross-contamination, even when the bread you’ve bought is gluten-free.
Use clean hands, a clean, separate work surface and separate utensils. Keep the bread wrapped until you’re ready to serve it.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised baker’s salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you what kind of salt it contains.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen.
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Choosing based on bread style alone
A sliced loaf and a pack of mini baguettes won’t necessarily provide the same number of portions for a brunch.
Check the pack contents and storage instructions, and choose an amount that suits what you’re planning to serve.
Brands and shops to consider
The products mentioned show a range of bread styles; always check the packaging of the version you choose when buying.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half as a half loaf of sliced white bread.
- A half loaf could be a good choice if you’re making toast or sandwiches.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredient, nutritional and allergy information may change, so check the current packaging.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
This range includes a 500 g gluten-free white loaf, according to Jumbo.
- The product information lists iodised salt in the ingredients and 6.2 g of fibre per 100 g for this particular loaf.
- Don’t assume this information applies to other breads in the same range; check the packaging of the version you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists a gluten-free white loaf under its own brand.
- An option to look at if you’re after sliced white bread for brunch.
- PLUS says that ingredients, nutritional values, and dietary and allergy information may change.
Schär
Schär offers products including Meesterbakker Classic and gluten-free mini baguettes; these aren’t a direct substitute for sliced white bread.
- PLUS lists millet, quinoa and iodised salt for Meesterbakker Classic, while Dirk lists Schär mini baguettes.
- The ingredients in Meesterbakker Classic aren’t necessarily the same as those in the mini baguettes or other Schär products.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free options among its part-baked rolls and snacks.
- These rolls could be worth considering if you’d like to serve something warm at brunch.
- Before choosing a product for someone with coeliac disease, check the exact product and packaging in store.
Dirk
Dirk lists Schär bread products, including 150 g packs of gluten-free mini baguettes.
- The mini baguettes mentioned offer a different way to serve bread from sliced loaves.
- The Schär products listed don’t confirm that a sliced white loaf is available under Dirk’s own brand; check which version you’re buying.
Gluten-free mini baguettes and bread mix at Joybuy
These products offer two ways to prepare bread for a Mother’s Day brunch: bake gluten-free mini baguettes or make your own loaf with a gluten-free mix. Neither is prepared in the same way as sliced bread ready to serve.
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Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces
For a brunch with individual mini baguettes that you bake before serving. The product name states that the pack contains 7 pieces; check the pack contents and weight on the packaging. Follow the baking instructions, and keep your hands, work surface and utensils separate from those used for regular bread.
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Schär Bread Mix-Mix B Gluten Free – 1 kg
For anyone who wants to bake a loaf for brunch; this is a 1 kg gluten-free mix, not ready-made bread. Follow the pack instructions for any ingredients you need to add and for baking. If you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, use clean, separate utensils and equipment, and check the salt type on the label if it matters to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
When can bread be labelled gluten-free?
Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, food may be labelled gluten-free if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten when sold to consumers. For someone with coeliac disease, it’s also important to prevent cross-contamination when serving.
Is a gluten-free label enough for a Mother’s Day brunch?
No, preparation and serving matter too. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends avoiding contact with gluten-containing crumbs: use clean hands and separate, clean utensils and equipment, and keep gluten-free bread separate from regular bread.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on the specific loaf to find out what type of salt it contains.