Before your Christmas drinks party, compare the sugar content per 100 g and check added sugars separately if they’re listed on the label. Albert Heijn lists 3.2 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel; Jumbo lists 7.2 g of sugars per 100 g for Haust Krokant Toast. A lower sugar value isn’t the only thing to consider: toppings, allergens and salt may matter more for your party platter.
You’re looking for toast to serve with dips, fish, cheese or spreads, and want to compare the sugar content per 100 g. Information about added sugars can be useful too, but it isn’t the same as the total sugar value.
For some guests, the ingredients and allergens will determine which toast you can serve. Check the packaging of the product you choose, even if sugar content was your first selection criterion.
You can choose between plain melba toast and seasoned toast, depending on your toppings. If the toast will be left on the table for a while, how crisp you want it to stay is also worth considering.
Start with the nutritional information per 100 g, then decide whether the toast will go well with your toppings and suit your guests’ dietary needs. You can then use the serving information to assess how much you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Check added sugars separately if they’re listed. | I want to choose toast based on its sugar content, not just a word on the packaging; this is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Toppings and crispness | Choose between a plain and a seasoned base. If you’re using moist toppings, try them out in advance if you’re planning to prepare the toast some time before serving. | If the topped toast will be on the table for a while, I want to know whether its flavour and texture will suit the toppings; around 29% of consumers prioritise this when deciding how to serve it. |
| Allergens and dietary preferences | Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. | The toast needs to suit my guests’ allergies or dietary preferences; this is the first consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Salt and baker’s salt | Compare the salt content per 100 g. Don’t assume the salt contains iodine just because ‘salt’ appears in the ingredients; check whether baker’s salt is mentioned or ask the manufacturer. | I want to compare the salt content or know what kind of salt was used; this is the most important consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
A search term won’t tell you how much sugar a particular toast contains. Albert Heijn lists 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel; Jumbo lists 7.2 g per 100 g for Haust Krokant Toast.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check added sugars separately if that information is available.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine can be added to this category of bakery products through baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers aren’t required to use it. So the word ‘salt’ alone doesn’t confirm whether a particular toast contains iodine.
Check whether baker’s salt is explicitly mentioned, or ask the manufacturer which type of salt was used in the product you’ve chosen.
A suitable sugar figure doesn’t make a toast safe for a guest who needs to avoid an allergen it contains. AH Melba toast naturel and Haust Krokant Toast differ in their ingredients, including soy and egg.
Ask guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, then check the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces.
A serving and 100 g are different bases for comparison. Albert Heijn lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel; Jumbo lists 1.6 g per 100 g for Haust Krokant Toast.
First compare products on the same 100 g basis, then consider how much you plan to serve.
AH Melba toast naturel is a plain melba toast that works with a range of toppings.
Haust Krokant Toast is a seasoned party toast for anyone looking for a more distinctive flavour.
As a retailer, Jumbo displays product information for Haust Krokant Toast, including nutritional values per 100 g and per serving.
No. Check the sugar content per 100 g and make sure the toast suits your toppings and guests. Look at added sugars separately if they’re listed, and check the salt, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging too.
No, you can’t tell from the word ‘salt’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check whether it’s explicitly mentioned for the toast you’ve chosen or ask the manufacturer.
Check the current packaging against your guests’ dietary needs and allergies. According to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast naturel contains wheat, barley and soy. The product information shown by Jumbo says Haust Krokant Toast contains egg and cereals containing gluten, including wheat, barley and rye, and may contain milk, sesame and oats.
After opening, follow the instructions on the packaging. For AH Melba toast naturel, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin; for Haust Krokant Toast, the advice is to protect it from moisture and heat. Add toppings just before serving if you want to stop the toast from going soft.
