Shoppers who eat strictly gluten-free
If you need to avoid gluten completely, you can’t choose sourdough rye bread based on how it is made. The Voedingscentrum lists rye, wheat and barley as grains that naturally contain gluten.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers avoiding other allergens
If you can eat gluten but need to avoid, for example, milk, sesame or nuts, the ingredients and any warnings for the exact product are what matter. For unpackaged bread, check the available allergen information before you buy.
Shoppers who consider ingredients and product type
If you want to compare soft sourdough rye bread with a rye and wheat loaf or crispbread, check the grains and the product type. Also check the salt on the label if the use of baker’s salt matters to you.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the grains you need to avoid. Then compare the other allergens, followed by the product type and ingredients such as baker’s salt.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-containing grains | Check which grains have been used; sourdough does not turn rye into a gluten-free ingredient. | If I need to eat strictly gluten-free, rye bread is out, even when it is made with sourdough. This is the first consideration for around 42% of shoppers. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging; for unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information. | I can eat rye, but before buying I want to know whether this bread contains another allergen or mentions one in a warning. This check comes first for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Ingredients and product type | Compare soft bread with crispbread and check which grains and which salt are listed. | Once the allergens are suitable, I still want to choose between types of bread and check whether baker’s salt has been used. This is the main consideration for around 25% of shoppers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means gluten-free
According to the Voedingscentrum, rye naturally contains gluten. The term sourdough describes how the bread is made, not whether it is gluten-free.
If you need to eat strictly gluten-free, don’t choose rye bread just because it says sourdough.
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Going by the name rye bread alone
Rye bread can also contain other grains or ingredients. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS shows that recipes and allergen declarations can vary.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety on the current packaging.
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Buying unpackaged bread without asking
Unpackaged bread doesn’t always have a label you can check. This means you could miss an allergen that matters to you.
Check the allergen information by the display or ask a member of staff about the specific bread before you buy it.
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Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The term sourdough doesn’t tell you whether it has been used.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
Relevant retailers and brands to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, a 500 g dark sourdough rye bread.
- The product information lists ingredients including wholegrain rye, sourdough and barley malt, so you can check these before buying.
- Albert Heijn notes that product and allergen information can change, so check the packaging of the loaf you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for options including a Brood van Soma rye and wheat loaf, as well as allergen information for both pre-packed and unpackaged products.
- Brood van Soma Brabants Bruin Rogge-Tarwebrood lists rye, wheat and iodised salt, and notes that it may contain hazelnuts.
- Jumbo says that cross-contamination cannot be ruled out for some products packed in store. If in doubt, ask for the latest information about the product.
Lidl
Lidl lists rye bread for in-store purchase and provides a separate ingredients and allergen guide for freshly baked bread.
- The guide can help you check freshly baked products.
- Ask in store which ingredients and allergen information applies to the specific rye bread.
PLUS
PLUS provides product information for Brood van Soma Rheinländer bruin rogge-tarwebrood.
- The product information lists rye, wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and iodised salt, and notes that it may contain hazelnuts.
- PLUS says that ingredients and allergen information can change. Compare the information with the label on the product you buy.
Joybuy products: rye crispbread
This product is crunchy sourdough rye crispbread, not the soft rye bread discussed above. Use the same allergen checks as you would for other rye bread, and consider separately whether this product type suits your needs.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
For anyone looking for sourdough crispbread rather than soft rye bread. According to the Joybuy product information, this product contains rye and barley, both of which are gluten-containing grains. Check the current packaging for other allergens and warnings too.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough rye bread gluten-free?
No. Sourdough rye bread is not gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum lists rye as a grain that naturally contains gluten; sourdough does not change the type of grain.
How do I check allergens in unpackaged bread?
Check the allergen information for the specific bread before buying. If it isn’t clearly displayed, ask a member of staff and explain which allergens you need to avoid.
What should I look for on the label of pre-packed rye bread?
Check the ingredients list for the grains used and any other allergens, and look for warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label, and that any gluten-containing grain must be named in the ingredients list.
Does all sourdough bread contain baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the packaging or, for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used if this matters to your choice.