People with coeliac disease buying to stock up
If you’re buying bread for a strict gluten-free diet, check the gluten-free label and information about other allergens before buying in larger quantities.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Small households that freeze bread in portions
If you won’t get through an opened loaf quickly, the pack size and the product-specific storage and freezing instructions are important.
People who regularly replenish their stocks
If you want to buy the same bread regularly, compare pack sizes and check whether you can order or collect your chosen variety from your local shop.
What should you look for when buying?
If you’re stocking up for someone with coeliac disease, first check that the bread is labelled gluten-free and look for any other allergens. Then consider how much you eat and the storage instructions to decide which pack size is most practical.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and allergens | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the allergen information on the current packaging too. | When I buy bread for a strict gluten-free diet, I don’t want to rely on the ingredients list alone. For around 36% of consumers, gluten-free labelling, along with checking allergens, comes first. |
| Storage and freezing | Check the use-by date and the instructions for freezing and use; see whether you can divide the bread into portions before freezing it. | With only a few people at home, I want to store bread without defrosting more than we’ll eat; around 29% of consumers give this kind of stock management top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check whether iodised salt is listed and, if you wish, compare the fibre content per 100 g on the packaging. | When I compare different breads, I want to know what’s in them and how the nutritional information is presented. For around 21% of consumers, this product information is the first thing they consider. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the weight of the variety you’ve chosen and whether you can order or collect it from your local shop. | If I regularly stock up on bread, I want a pack size that suits how much we eat and to be able to find the same variety again. Around 14% of consumers put this first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘wheat-free’ means ‘gluten-free’
An ingredients list without wheat doesn’t offer the same reassurance as an explicit gluten-free label. That distinction matters when you’re buying bread for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the gluten-free label every time you buy, and read the packaging again if it or the product’s composition changes.
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Buying several loaves without a plan for freezing them
Storage and freezing instructions vary from product to product. According to Albert Heijn, you can freeze AH Gluten-Free White Bread Half at home on the day you buy it, and should use it within one month.
Read the instructions for your chosen loaf and, if necessary, divide it into portions before freezing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.
Bread can become drier if it’s stored in the freezer for too long.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether the bread contains iodised salt.
Check the ingredients list on the specific pack for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’.
Brands to consider
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Gluten-Free White Bread Half, 480 g.
- For this bread, Albert Heijn advises freezing it at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information may change, so check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo’s gluten-free bread range includes a 500 g white loaf.
- According to Jumbo, the white variety carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
- The product information says the bread contains soya and may contain eggs, milk and nuts. Jumbo advises storing it in a cool, dark place; check the packaging if you plan to freeze it.
Schär
Schär Meesterbakker Classic is a gluten-free white bread sold in a 300 g pack.
- The product page lists sourdough, millet and quinoa, and advises freezing the bread as soon as it’s opened if you won’t eat it within a few days.
- For this variety too, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
PLUS
PLUS has its own product called PLUS Gluten-Free White.
- The product page lists iodised salt and advises storing the bread in a cool, dry place.
- Before buying several packs, check the packaging for the latest nutritional information, allergens and use-by date.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is bread without wheat automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. For a strict gluten-free diet, choose bread that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free or carries the Crossed Grain symbol; a ingredients list that simply doesn’t include wheat doesn’t offer the same reassurance. Check the current information about other allergens too.
Can I freeze gluten-free white bread to stock up?
That depends on the instructions for the bread you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn says to freeze AH Gluten-Free White Bread Half on the day of purchase and use it within one month. For Schär Meesterbakker Classic, the product page advises freezing it as soon as it’s opened if you won’t eat it within a few days. Always follow the instructions on the current packaging.
Does gluten-free bread always contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t tell from the gluten-free label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the bread you’re buying to see whether it lists iodised salt or baker’s salt.
Which allergens should I check in addition to gluten?
Check the current packaging for all allergens that are relevant to the person eating the bread. The information for the white breads mentioned here varies: Jumbo lists soya and warns that the bread may contain eggs, milk and nuts. Don’t assume another bread, or a later purchase, will have the same allergen information.