For a child with coeliac disease, choose white bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, this claim may only be used when the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Then check for other allergens and possible traces, prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread, and only then compare the nutritional information and storage instructions.
They are looking for bread labelled gluten-free for their child’s school lunch. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. It is therefore important to keep ordinary bread separate when preparing and packing the lunch, too.
As well as gluten, they need to check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. Product information from Jumbo, PLUS and Schär lists soya and various other possible allergens in the white breads discussed here.
They want to know whether the bread is ready to fill and whether the packaging suits their needs. If several breads are suitable for the child, fibre and salt per 100 g, portion sizes and storage instructions can help them decide.
If your child needs to avoid gluten strictly, first check for the gluten-free claim and any other relevant allergens. Only compare nutritional information and practical packaging features across breads that meet those requirements.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, the product must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg for this claim to be used. | If my child has coeliac disease, I need to see that the bread is intended for a strictly gluten-free lunch; this is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Other allergens and contact with crumbs | Read the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, and use clean equipment to prepare the lunch, keeping it separate from ordinary bread. | If my child also needs to avoid other allergens, I want the bread and the way it is prepared to meet those needs. Around 30% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g on packaging for breads that are already suitable for your child. | I want to choose between suitable breads in a way that fits with the rest of the school lunch; nutritional information matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the number of portions, use-by date and storage instructions. Also check whether the bread needs any preparation. | If I pack lunches regularly, I want to know whether I can use the pack in time and how much preparation is needed. This is the first thing around 10% of consumers consider. |
Ordinary white bread may contain grains that contain gluten. The words ‘white bread’ alone do not tell you whether it is suitable for a child with coeliac disease.
Check the ‘gluten-free’ claim on the packaging itself, not just the product category or search filter.
The gluten-free white breads from Jumbo, PLUS and Schär discussed here list soya; their product information also mentions various other possible allergens.
Whenever you buy bread, check both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements against the allergens relevant to your child.
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. Bread that is suitable when bought may still come into contact with ordinary bread crumbs during preparation.
Use a clean work surface and clean cutlery, and pack the gluten-free lunch separately from ordinary bread.
Jumbo lists a 500 g gluten-free white bread that is ready to fill.
PLUS lists its own gluten-free white bread in its gluten-free range.
Schär Meesterbakker Classic is a gluten-free white bread listed in the PLUS product information consulted.
These mini baguettes are a bread option for a gluten-free school lunch, rather than sliced white bread. Before buying, check the current packaging and how the rolls should be prepared.
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These mini baguettes could be an alternative to sliced sandwiches for a school lunch with gluten-free bread. According to the product name, the pack contains 7 pieces. Before using them for lunch, check the current ‘gluten-free’ claim, the information about soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard, and the preparation instructions.
Ordinary white bread is not automatically suitable for a child with coeliac disease, as it may contain grains that contain gluten. Choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging; under EU Regulation 828/2014, it must contain no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
No. The ‘gluten-free’ claim says nothing about other allergens. For example, the products from Jumbo, PLUS and Schär discussed here list soya; whenever you buy bread, also check the current ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information.
Prepare the gluten-free sandwich on a clean work surface using clean cutlery, and pack it separately from ordinary bread and loose crumbs. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.
Yes. Once the breads meet your child’s gluten-free and other allergen requirements, you can compare fibre and salt per 100 g. ‘Gluten-free’ is not a judgement on nutritional value, so consider this information in the context of the whole school lunch.
