If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose ordinary tiger bread unless it is explicitly labelled gluten-free. For example, Albert Heijn’s wholemeal tiger bread contains wheat and wheat gluten. Choose bread or a bread mix labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging. In a shared kitchen, make sure it is stored separately and handled with clean utensils. For everyday use, compare the nutritional information, portion size and storage instructions.
You’re looking for bread clearly labelled gluten-free, but also need to consider crumbs on the chopping board and shared spreads. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
You may not eat a whole pack straight away. In that case, portion size, storage instructions once opened and whether it can be frozen will all affect your choice.
If bread is often part of your breakfast or lunch, check the gluten-free label, as well as the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is not compulsory in bread.
Start by checking for a gluten-free label and making sure you can prepare the bread without it coming into contact with ordinary bread. Then consider which size, nutritional information and preparation method will suit your student accommodation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and keeping it separate | Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging and agree how to store and prepare the bread, including which chopping board, knife and spreads to use. Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, the label may only be used when the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. | In a shared kitchen, I want to keep my housemates’ crumbs off my bread. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination of product choice and separate handling. |
| Nutritional information for everyday bread | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t assume gluten-free bread contains either. | If bread is part of breakfast or lunch every day, I want to know what the labels say about the different varieties. For around 27% of consumers, this nutritional information is their top priority. |
| Portions and waste | Check the number of rolls or the pack size, along with how long the bread will keep once opened. Choose an amount you can use up or store as instructed on the packaging. | When I’m the only one eating the bread, I don’t want to keep throwing away opened packs. Around 20% of consumers prioritise reducing waste. |
| Storage and preparation | Read the freezing or preparation instructions and check that you have clean freezer space, a baking tray or enough time. | Soon after moving in, I want to be able to store or prepare bread without relying on a shared toaster full of crumbs. Around 20% of consumers give this practical aspect the most attention. |
‘Tiger’ describes the bread; it doesn’t tell you whether it contains gluten. Albert Heijn’s wholemeal tiger bread lists wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Only then choose based on the type of bread or crust.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs and shared utensils can contaminate gluten-free food. It’s also worth being careful with knives used in shared jars of spread.
When you move in, agree where the bread will be stored and use a clean chopping board and clean utensils. Keep the bread covered and separate from ordinary bread.
Having your own chopping board or knife takes up extra storage space in a shared kitchen.
The gluten-free label tells you nothing about the fibre content or the type of salt used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Compare the fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt, especially if you eat bread every day.
Albert Heijn has a dedicated online category for gluten-free bread.
Jumbo lists gluten-free breads online, including products from Schär.
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and multiseed breads online.
Dirk’s online search results show packaged gluten-free bread products, including Schär varieties.
ALDI includes gluten-free options in its range of bake-at-home rolls.
Lidl describes a regular gluten-free range, alongside additional products that vary.
These products offer two alternatives to ordinary tiger bread: mini baguettes and a gluten-free mix for baking your own bread. Check the packaging for both, and store and prepare the bread separately from ordinary bread in shared student accommodation.
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An option if you prefer individual rolls to a whole loaf. The product name states that there are seven pieces. Check the packaging for the gluten-free label and preparation instructions, as the product details don’t specify how to prepare them. Store and prepare them away from crumbs from ordinary bread.
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A bread mix for anyone who wants to bake their own bread and has the time and a clean work surface. This is not ready-made bread. The product name states that the pack contains 1 kg. Check the gluten-free label and ingredients on the current packaging, especially if iodised salt is important to your choice.
Not based on its name or crust. According to its ingredients list, Albert Heijn’s wholemeal tiger bread contains wholemeal wheat flour and wheat gluten. If you have coeliac disease, check that the bread you want to buy is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Look for this label on the packaging of the specific bread you’re considering; a bread style such as tiger bread doesn’t tell you whether it is gluten-free.
Keep it covered and separate, and use a clean chopping board and clean cutlery. Watch out for crumbs in shared spreads and on toasters or baking trays, too. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
No, the gluten-free label doesn’t tell you that. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. For Schär Meesterbakker Classic, Jumbo says that the bread can be eaten within a few days of opening or frozen straight away. In a shared freezer, wrap it so it doesn’t come into contact with ordinary bread or crumbs.
