Canteen manager dealing with a lunchtime rush
Needs to prepare and serve rolls on time. With part-baked and frozen rolls, the equipment available and the lunchtime schedule both matter.
Who is this choice important for?
Provider offering an alternative to white rolls
Wants to offer guests a seeded or wholemeal option too, and compares the ingredients and fibre per 100 g for individual products.
Canteen serving rolls individually
Needs up-to-date allergen information for the rolls and fillings on offer, including when staff slice and fill the rolls.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you need to buy the rolls pre-sliced or slice them on site. Then choose a preparation method that suits the lunchtime rush, and compare the product information for each type of roll.
Fresh, individually
Suitable when: you can arrange to buy them from a shop around lunchtime; Albert Heijn lists a white roll that is baked in store.
Consider: check the quantity and preferred cut with the shop before relying on this option.
Part-baked rolls
Suitable when: you can bake rolls on site; PLUS gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes at 220 °C for its white part-baked rolls.
Consider: preheating and the number of rolls per oven batch need to fit into the lunchtime schedule.
Frozen rolls
Suitable when: you have freezer space and can plan ahead for thawing.
Consider: Jumbo says its white frozen rolls must not be refrozen after thawing, and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.
| Consideration | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | Ask whether the rolls are pre-sliced, and confirm the cut and dimensions. | If I need to fill the rolls before lunch, I want to know whether the cut supplied is right for the job. For around 29% of consumers, the type of cut comes first. |
| Preparation and stock | Compare the number of rolls per oven batch with the preparation time; check the thawing instructions for frozen products. | When lots of rolls need to be ready at once, I want to match serving times to the equipment available. Around 29% of consumers give this planning priority. |
| Type of bread | Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g; don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. | I want to offer an alternative to white rolls and be able to explain what it contains. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Keep information about both the roll and its filling up to date and available when serving products individually. | If guests ask about ingredients, I want to be able to give them a reliable answer before serving. Allergen information is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre a roll contains. PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for its multigrain rolls; these figures don’t automatically apply to other products.
Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g for each variety.
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Checking only the roll for allergens
For a filled roll, the ingredients in the filling matter too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for non-prepacked products must be provided to consumers in another way.
Keep the information for each roll on offer up to date, and make sure staff can provide it when serving.
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Buying stock without planning for the lunchtime rush
Baking rolls takes up oven space and time. Frozen rolls also come with product-specific thawing instructions.
Work out how many rolls will fit in each oven batch, and allow for preheating and any thawing time in your schedule.
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Assuming rolls will arrive sliced through the middle
The type of bread, pack size and preparation method don’t tell you how the rolls are sliced. Yet the cut can affect how quickly staff are able to fill them.
Before ordering, ask the supplier to confirm whether the rolls are sliced, and what cut and dimensions will be supplied.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists an individual white roll that is baked in store.
- An option to consider if you want to buy rolls individually.
- Confirm the cut and check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists white, multiseed and frozen rolls, among other options.
- White rolls are listed in a pack of 4, 300 g.
- Jumbo says its white frozen rolls must not be refrozen after thawing; also check that the cut is right for you.
Lidl
Lidl lists white bread rolls as a possible in-store option.
- A white option to compare with other types of bread.
- Before buying, check the pack, cut and latest product information.
Aldi
Aldi lists an individual white roll.
- An option if you want to buy rolls individually.
- Ask about the cut, and check the weight, ingredients and allergens for the roll you choose.
Plus
Plus lists white and multigrain part-baked rolls, as well as a separate gluten-free white variety.
- PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for its multigrain variety.
- Preparation and ingredients vary by variety; check the cut for each product too.
Dirk
Dirk lists white, multigrain and rustic rolls in packs of 4, 300 g.
- You can compare the types of bread and pack size side by side.
- Check the ingredients, preparation method, allergens and cut of the variety you want to buy.
Bread rolls on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a workplace canteen need to provide allergen information for individual rolls?
Yes. Allergen information must also be available to consumers for non-prepacked products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that this information must then be provided in another way. Make sure staff can give customers the details for the roll and filling on offer before they buy.
Are multigrain rolls always wholemeal?
No. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t in itself confirm that a roll is wholemeal. PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for its multigrain rolls; for other varieties, compare their own ingredients lists and nutritional information.
Can a frozen roll be refrozen after thawing?
Not in the case of the white frozen rolls for which Jumbo says refreezing after thawing is not permitted. Jumbo also says these rolls must be prepared and eaten within 24 hours of thawing. For other products, follow the instructions on the packaging.
Does every roll contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume so based on the type of bread. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its white roll; check the latest ingredients list or product specification for the roll you’re buying.