If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose ordinary wheat-based tiger bread: according to their product descriptions, the tiger breads from Albert Heijn and Jumbo are wheat breads. Instead, look for bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain logo on the packaging, and check the ingredients and allergen information. Separately, check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slice thickness suits your needs; the tiger crust says nothing about whether it contains gluten.
You want to be able to check the gluten-free label and allergen information. You’ll also want to avoid crumbs from ordinary bread getting onto the gluten-free bread when slicing and adding toppings.
You’re looking for bread that’s practical for breakfast and lunch. If a gluten-free option doesn’t have the tiger crust or slice thickness you want, compare other types of bread for those features separately.
You want to have another gluten-free bread to fall back on if your usual choice isn’t available in store or for delivery. The packaging on the bread you buy should always be your guide.
When buying bread for someone with coeliac disease, a gluten-free label matters more than a tiger crust or a particular slice thickness. After that, you can compare loaf size and availability.
When: Only if the bread isn’t for someone with coeliac disease.
Key difference: Albert Heijn describes the tiger bread we looked at as a wheat bread; Jumbo describes its farmhouse tiger bread as white wheat bread. The crust doesn’t change that.
When: For someone with coeliac disease, choose bread labelled ‘gluten-free’ or carrying the Crossed Grain logo on the packaging.
Trade-off: White, brown or multiseed bread can make a handy everyday sandwich, but don’t assume it has a tiger crust or medium-thick slices without checking.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain logo, and read the ingredients and allergen information. | When I buy bread for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the name of the bread or its crust. For around 50% of consumers, this assurance that it’s gluten-free comes first. |
| Sandwich size | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slice thickness and type of bread suit how you plan to use it. | For breakfast and lunch, I want a practical slice of bread, even if the crust is different from tiger bread. Around 30% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Regular shopping routine | Check the current in-store or delivery selection and look at the packaging of the bread you choose. | If I usually shop at the same supermarket, I want to have another suitable bread option to hand. For around 20% of consumers, having a reliable routine matters most. |
The product descriptions from Albert Heijn and Jumbo identify the tiger breads we looked at as containing wheat. The pattern on the crust doesn’t make wheat bread gluten-free.
When buying for someone with coeliac disease, rely on the gluten-free label and the current ingredients and allergen information, not the name or appearance.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, gluten can get into a product that shouldn’t contain it through cross-contamination.
Use clean utensils when slicing and adding toppings, and check for crumbs in the toaster too.
When choosing bread for someone with coeliac disease, the information on the bread you buy is what matters. A product page also won’t necessarily tell you whether the slice thickness you want is available in your local shop.
Check the packaging before buying, and separately check whether the bread is pre-sliced.
These brands and supermarket chains offer some options for everyday gluten-free bread. Check the packaging of each individual product, and don’t assume that any bread mentioned is tiger bread or has medium-thick slices.
Albert Heijn offers a range of gluten-free breads alongside its regular tiger bread.
Jumbo has a separate category for gluten-free bread.
PLUS offers its own gluten-free breads as well as packaged Schär breads.
Schär is a packaged gluten-free bread brand available from Dutch supermarket chains.
Ordinary wheat-based tiger bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the tiger breads discussed here as wheat breads; look for the gluten-free label on the packaging instead.
Don’t choose it for someone with coeliac disease based only on the name or appearance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain logo as things to look for; also read the current ingredients and allergen information.
Yes. Take any warning about possible gluten or unsuitability for people with coeliac disease into account when choosing. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that gluten can get into a product through cross-contamination, so don’t ignore a warning just because the bread otherwise looks appealing.
No. The term baker’s salt on its own says nothing about whether the bread contains gluten. The Dutch Commodities Act Decree defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and the ingredients and allergen information for the individual loaf.
