For a child with coeliac disease, choose bread labelled gluten-free on the packaging, and keep it separate from ordinary bread during preparation and serving. Then compare the quantity and type of bread with your party plans, and check the packaging for other allergens too: gluten-free does not necessarily mean that the bread is free from soya, egg or milk, for example.
You’re looking for bread that is clearly labelled gluten-free, and a way to prepare it without contact with ordinary bread crumbs. The Voedingscentrum points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
As well as gluten, you need to check whether ingredients or warnings about soya, egg, milk, nuts or oats, for example, are relevant to the children who’ll be eating. This information varies from one bread to another.
You want to know how many slices or individual rolls you can serve, and what to do with any leftovers. The quantity, portion information, type of bread and any freezing instructions can all help you decide.
If a child with coeliac disease will be eating, first decide which bread and serving method are suitable. Then compare portions, other allergens and the practicalities of planning the party.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing gluten-free bread and serving it separately | Check that the packaging labels the bread gluten-free. If you’re also serving ordinary bread, plan a clean preparation area and separate fillings. | If a child with coeliac disease is coming, I want to prevent ordinary bread crumbs from getting onto their sandwich; this is the top priority for an estimated 40% of consumers. |
| Portions and type of bread | Compare the quantity, stated number of portions and choice between sliced bread and individual rolls. | For a small group, I want to be able to serve rolls without having lots left over; around 30% of consumers prioritise planning portions. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients, the information about allergens present and any warnings on the packaging about possible traces. | If a guest also needs to avoid another allergen, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘gluten-free’ alone; this is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability and storage | Check that your shop stocks the specific product in good time, and follow the storage instructions, including if you want to freeze the bread. | I want to have the right bread at home before the party and be able to store leftovers according to the packaging; around 10% of consumers prioritise this planning. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. A shared knife, spread or chopping surface can transfer ordinary bread crumbs onto gluten-free bread.
Prepare the bread in a clean, separate area and have clean cutlery and separate fillings ready, as advised by the Nederlandse Coeliakie Vereniging.
Gluten-free bread may contain other ingredients or carry warnings that matter to a guest. The information varies between the breads sold by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS.
Ask parents or carers which allergens you need to check, and read the packaging of the bread you’ll actually be serving.
Baker’s salt contains iodine, but according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it. So you can’t tell what kind of salt has been used just from the gluten-free label.
If you want to know about the bread you’ve chosen, check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt.
A general range page doesn’t tell you whether a particular gluten-free white bread is available at your shop. ALDI, for example, lists gluten-free rolls, but that doesn’t mean you’ve found a suitable white bread at your local branch.
Check for a specific product in good time, and read the label again when it arrives.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Wit brood half for anyone comparing white loaves with portion and freezing information.
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Wit as a 500 g white loaf for anyone looking to divide one loaf into portions.
PLUS lists both Wit glutenvrij and gluten-free white rolls, so you can compare slices with individual rolls.
ALDI lists gluten-free rolls in its bakery range at stores with a bakery.
Lidl directs shoppers to its standard range for gluten-free options.
No. You can’t tell from the outside whether ordinary white bread is gluten-free. Choose bread labelled gluten-free on the packaging, and also prevent it from coming into contact with crumbs from bread containing gluten. The Voedingscentrum stresses that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Prepare and serve the gluten-free rolls in a separate, clean area. Use clean hands and cutlery, keep ordinary bread away from them, and use fillings from a new or separately stored pack. This follows the advice from the Nederlandse Coeliakie Vereniging to prepare gluten-free food separately.
No. You can serve gluten-free bread to a child with coeliac disease without making everyone else eat gluten-free. If you’re also serving ordinary bread, prepare it, handle the fillings and serve it separately so that crumbs don’t get onto the gluten-free portions.
No, it varies from one bread to another. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers don’t have to use it. Check the packaging of the bread you choose to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed among the ingredients.
Use online product information to compare breads in advance, but check the packaging of the bread you receive before serving it. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that ingredients and allergen information can change.
