If you’re serving guests with coeliac disease, choose sliced bread that is clearly labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the pack, and keep it separate from gluten-containing bread when serving. Seeded slices are a good option for savoury toppings, while a variety specifically described as suitable for toasting is a better choice for warm toast. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergen information too.
When sharing a meal, it’s important to check that the specific pack is labelled gluten-free and to handle the bread separately when serving. The German Coeliac Society points out that the ingredients list for the country where the product is sold is the one that matters.
If you’re looking for slices with seeds to serve with savoury toppings, compare the ingredients of the different multigrain and Vital varieties. The gluten-free label is just as important as checking for any other allergens.
If you’re making small, warm toasts, look for a product specifically described as suitable for toasting. REWE describes its frei von gluten-free sandwich bread as suitable for toasting, but you’ll still need to check that its ingredients are suitable for your guests.
First, check the gluten-free label and make sure you can serve the bread separately. Then consider how you’ll prepare it, its recipe and any additional allergens to find the right variety for your meal.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and serving | Does the specific pack say ‘gluten-free’? Can you keep the bread and serving utensils separate? | If I’m serving bread to a guest with coeliac disease, I want to make sure the labelled pack is easy to identify and avoid mix-ups at the table. Around 33% of consumers put this requirement first. |
| Slices and preparation | Is the type of bread described suitable for savoury toppings, or is it specifically suitable for toasting? | I’d choose a different variety for sandwiches than for small, warm toasts. For around 27% of consumers, finding the right texture for their meal comes first. |
| Fibre and seeds | Compare the fibre content per 100 g and the seeds listed for each variety. | If I’m looking for a hearty recipe, I want to know which seeds it contains and what the nutritional information says. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this kind of recipe. |
| Other allergens | Read the ingredients list and check for information about egg, milk, soya, lupin and possible traces. | If a guest has an allergy to something other than gluten, the specific variety needs to be suitable for them too. For around 20% of consumers, checking for these additional ingredients comes first. |
Gluten-free bread can still contain ingredients such as egg, milk, soya or lupin. The ingredients and possible allergen warnings vary from one variety to another.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen for each guest, rather than relying on the brand or type of bread alone.
When sharing a meal, it’s easy to mix up slices or serving utensils.
Keep the gluten-free bread separate until it’s time to serve, and use a separate plate and knives or tongs.
The German Coeliac Society points out that for products with the same name, the ingredients list for the country where they’re sold is the one that applies.
Check the gluten-free label and ingredients list on the pack you’re actually buying.
The Meisterbäckers range includes several types of gluten-free sliced bread, including Classic, Vital and Multigrain.
The range includes gluten-free sandwich bread and gluten-free country-style bread, each with a different recipe.
Poensgen makes a gluten-free sandwich bread, which REWE describes as a 400 g product.
No. ‘Wheat-free’ is not the same as ‘gluten-free’. For packaged sliced bread, look for an explicit gluten-free label on the specific pack and check its ingredients list.
Yes. REWE lists egg white in its frei von gluten-free sandwich bread, and gluten-free wheat starch and sweet lupin flour in its frei von country-style bread. Soya and other declared allergens may also be relevant in seeded varieties, so check each pack individually.
Keep the bread separate until it’s time to serve, and give it its own plate and utensils. This makes it clear to guests which slices are labelled gluten-free and ensures you don’t use the same knife or tongs for gluten-containing bread.
No. You should check the ingredients list on the pack sold in the country where you’re buying it. The German Coeliac Society makes this clear, so check the information on the product you’re actually purchasing.