Guest with coeliac disease
For this guest, the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging is only part of the picture. When preparing and serving the bread, you also need to keep it away from ordinary bread crumbs and shared kitchen utensils.
Who is this choice important for?
Organiser bringing bread for a group
If you want to bring several filled sandwiches, the quantity of bread and whether you can prepare them in advance are important factors. Also consider how to pack and transport the gluten-free sandwiches separately.
Shopper serving individual portions
An individual roll can be handy if you’re catering for one or a few guests without opening a whole loaf. If you’re choosing frozen rolls, make sure you can fit the defrosting time into your plans for the procession.
What should you look for?
First, decide how you can serve the gluten-free bread separately. Then choose between sandwiches you can prepare in advance and individual rolls that may need some preparation.
Whole or half white loaf
When to choose it: If you want to prepare and bring several gluten-free sandwiches in advance.
Things to consider: Once opened, the loaf needs to be stored appropriately, and you’ll need a separate work surface to prepare the sandwiches.
Individual frozen rolls
When to choose them: If you want to give one or a few guests a roll each.
Things to consider: The rolls need to be defrosted before you leave or serve them; follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free food | Check that the current packaging says ‘gluten-free’. Use clean, separate utensils and equipment when preparing the bread. | If a guest has coeliac disease, I want to make sure ordinary bread crumbs don’t end up on their sandwich. Around 36% of consumers put this concern first. |
| Number of portions | Compare the net weight and stated number of portions with the number of sandwiches you need. | When catering for several guests, I want to bring enough sandwiches without having to slice bread on the spot. For around 29% of consumers, quantity is the first thing they consider. |
| Preparation and storage | Read the defrosting and storage instructions, and check whether the product can be refrozen. | With a set time to leave, I want to know when the rolls will be ready to serve. Planning is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Other ingredients | Check the allergen information and ingredients list, including whether iodised salt is listed. | If a guest also needs to avoid other ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the ‘gluten-free’ label alone. Around 14% of consumers give this additional label check top priority. |
Common buying and serving mistakes
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Assuming it’s gluten-free because it contains no wheat
An ingredients list that doesn’t include wheat as a main ingredient is not the same as a ‘gluten-free’ label. For a guest with coeliac disease, this label is the first thing to check when buying bread.
Check the label on the actual pack you’re bringing, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Preparing gluten-free and regular bread in the same place
Glutenvrij.nl warns that crumbs from a regular sandwich can end up on gluten-free bread.
Prepare the gluten-free sandwiches using clean, separate utensils and equipment, and keep them covered and separate during transport and serving.
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Bringing frozen rolls without a defrosting plan
For Odenwald Bakery Oval White Rolls, Jumbo says to defrost them at room temperature for three hours and not to refreeze them after defrosting.
Plan backwards from when you’ll serve them, or choose a product that can be eaten without this preparation, according to its packaging.
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means free from other ingredients too
The white breads mentioned have different allergen information. Some products’ ingredients lists also include iodised salt.
Compare the current packaging with the ingredients and allergens that the guest needs to avoid.
Brands and shops to consider
Compare the packaging and preparation instructions for each product. A brand name alone won’t tell you whether a loaf is right for your guests and when you plan to serve it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes its gluten-free half white loaf as a 480 g pack that can be eaten straight away or frozen at home.
- According to Albert Heijn, the pack contains 12 portions of 40 g, making it easier to count out sandwiches for a group.
- If your guests have additional allergies, check the current information about possible allergens, including egg, milk, soya, oats and nuts.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells its own 500 g gluten-free white loaf and also lists Odenwald Bakery frozen rolls in 2 × 90 g packs.
- A whole loaf and individual rolls give you different ways to plan portions for the procession.
- The own-brand loaf lists soya and other possible allergens; according to Jumbo, the Odenwald rolls need three hours to defrost.
PLUS
PLUS lists its own gluten-free white loaf, made with tapioca starch.
- An option to compare if you’re looking for white bread slices rather than individual rolls.
- Check the current packaging for soya and any other possible allergens listed.
Schär
Schär Meesterbakker Classic is a 300 g gluten-free white loaf made with sourdough, millet flour and quinoa flour, according to the product page on PLUS.
- The smaller pack and different recipe are useful points of comparison if you don’t need a large white loaf.
- The product information lists soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard; check the current label.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including Schär Meesterbakker Classic and several types of gluten-free rolls in its online range.
- Useful for deciding which type of bread you want before checking the pack in store.
- For the option you choose, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the label.
ALDI en Lidl
ALDI lists gluten-free bread options in its bakery range; Lidl’s current local range will determine what’s available.
- Checking your local shop can show you which types of bread are actually available to buy.
- Don’t rely on a general product range page: for a specific white loaf, check that it’s labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the full label.
Joybuy products for individual portions
If you’re looking for gluten-free bread to serve individually at the procession, you could consider these mini baguettes. Before buying, check the packaging for the product type, quantity and preparation time required.
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Gv Baguette Mini 7 Pieces
The mini baguette shape could be suitable if you’re serving one guest separately. Check the current packaging for the ‘gluten-free’ label, whether they’re rolls or a product that needs preparing, and how long preparation takes.
If your guests have additional allergies, check for soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard. Also check the ingredients list for iodised salt if that’s relevant to your guest.
Frequently asked questions
Is white bread with no wheat in the ingredients list suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
Not automatically. Choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging for this guest. Also check any relevant allergen warnings and make sure the bread is kept away from ordinary bread crumbs when serving it.
How can I serve gluten-free sandwiches alongside regular bread?
Prepare the gluten-free sandwiches using clean, separate utensils and equipment, and keep them covered and separate. Glutenvrij.nl points out that crumbs from regular bread can end up on a gluten-free sandwich.
Do frozen rolls need to be defrosted before the procession?
It depends on the product you choose. For Odenwald Bakery Oval White Rolls, Jumbo says to defrost them at room temperature for three hours. The same product instructions say not to refreeze the rolls afterwards and that they can be kept for up to two days once defrosted.
Is gluten-free white bread also free from iodised salt?
No, the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you that. Iodised salt is listed in the ingredients for the Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Schär white breads mentioned here. Check the current packaging if this ingredient matters to your guest.