Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers of classic flag-topped sandwiches

You want to serve flag-topped sandwiches on ordinary sliced bread. Check that your chosen loaf really is medium-sliced: names such as casino, tiger and white don’t tell you how thick the slices are.

Smaller households looking to avoid leftovers

Half a loaf may be a better fit for a small platter. If you want to shop ahead or keep leftover slices, check the freezing instructions for your chosen bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.

Shoppers who want to check the label

If ingredients, allergens, salt or iodised baker’s salt affect your choice, compare the information for the exact loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so don’t rely on the bread’s name alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want ordinary medium-sliced sandwiches or small snacks to finish baking at home. Then choose the amount you need and check the label on the bread you’re actually buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Slice thickness and shape Look for an explicit medium-sliced label and check that it’s ordinary sliced bread. I want to make flag-topped sandwiches with evenly shaped slices, not come home with party bread or an unsliced loaf. For around 50% of consumers, confirmation of the slice thickness would be the main reason for choosing.
Quantity and storage Compare a half loaf and a whole loaf against the number of portions you need; read the storage and freezing instructions. I don’t want to open more bread than I need for a small platter, or I want to keep some slices for later. Around 30% of consumers would mainly consider the quantity and how they plan to use it.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the ingredients and allergen information and, where relevant, compare salt and fibre per 100 g. Check separately whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed. If I need to take wheat or gluten into account, or want to know which salt has been used, the label is decisive. For around 20% of consumers, this product information would be the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all sliced white bread is medium-sliced

    ‘Sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Jumbo and PLUS stock various types of bread, including half loaves and party bread; the name alone doesn’t confirm the slice thickness you want.

    Check the packaging or product specifications, or ask the baker how thick the slices are.

  • Assuming all white bread contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. This means the type of salt can vary from one loaf to another.

    For packaged bread, look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list, or ask your baker.

  • Opening a whole loaf for a small platter

    If you only need a few slices, you may have some left over from a whole loaf.

    Consider buying half a loaf or, if the product instructions allow, freezing the bread in portions as soon as you buy it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing it in portions.

  • Treating party bread like ordinary sandwich bread

    PLUS describes its sliced white party bread as part-baked wheat bread. It needs to be baked before serving, so it’s a different choice from everyday bread for classic flag-topped sandwiches.

    Choose party bread if you want small snacks to finish baking at home. For ordinary flag-topped sandwiches, check the slice thickness of everyday white bread instead.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

A useful option if you want to check the portions and ingredients of a specific half loaf of white bread.

  • Albert Heijn lists 11 portions of 35 g for its AH Extra lang lekker Zaans wit half. The ingredients include reduced-sodium iodised sea salt.
  • The portion information doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-sliced; check this separately for the loaf you choose.

Jumbo

A useful option if you want to compare different types of white bread in one range.

  • Jumbo’s online range includes half loaves of white casino, tiger and toastie bread.
  • A type of loaf or product name doesn’t confirm the slice thickness; check the product or packaging for the loaf you choose.

PLUS

A useful option if you’re weighing up a half loaf of white bread against sliced party bread for small snacks.

  • The PLUS range includes, among other options, half loaves of casino white bread and round white bread. PLUS describes its sliced white party bread separately as part-baked wheat bread.
  • Party bread still needs to be baked and doesn’t confirm that you’re buying the medium-sliced bread you want.

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Frequently asked questions

Is iodised baker’s salt required in all Dutch white bread?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask your baker.

Can I freeze white bread in advance for flag-topped sandwiches?

Yes, if the instructions for your chosen bread allow it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, so you only need to take out the amount you need.

How do I choose bread for someone who eats gluten-free?

Check the label on the exact product and only choose bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free and meets that person’s needs. The name ‘white bread’ doesn’t mean it’s gluten-free; PLUS, for example, describes its white party bread as wheat bread.

Does white bread contain as many nutrients as wholemeal bread?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread. If nutritional value matters to your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the breads you’re considering.