A combination of wholemeal melba toast and a plain option suits a canteen looking to offer both a fibre-focused and a neutral lunch base. Make the differences in ingredients and nutritional information clear, ensure allergen information is available when serving unpackaged products, and follow the storage instructions after opening.
For buyers looking for a crisp lunch base and taking fibre into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible; when choosing toast, compare the nutritional information for the products you select.
Offering a wholemeal option alongside a plain one gives staff two different types of toast to choose from. The Van der Meulen Melba Toast Volkoren and AH Melba toast naturel listed by Albert Heijn differ in their ingredients and fibre content per 100 g, so don't present them as interchangeable.
When serving unpackaged toast or toast with toppings, information about the allergens it contains must be available to customers. Keep a record for each type of toast and topping combination, so staff can check what's in it before making their choice.
First decide whether the canteen wants to offer both a wholemeal and a plain option. Then check the ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions for each product.
| Consideration | What to check when buying | Who it's important to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Volkoren and 3.9 g for AH Melba toast naturel. | At lunchtime, I want to be able to choose wholemeal toast and I pay particular attention to fibre. For around 36% of consumers, this fibre-focused choice is the deciding factor. |
| Neutral flavour | Check which plain option you're buying, what type of flour it contains and how the toast is packaged. | I prefer a familiar, plain toast with my toppings rather than one with seeds. This is the most important consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Keep up-to-date allergen information for every type of toast and topping combination; where relevant, also specify the particular cereal containing gluten. | Before choosing, I need to be able to see which allergens are in the toast and its toppings. Clear allergen information is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Stock and storage | Compare pack sizes and the number of individual packs with expected demand; follow the storage instructions after opening. | As a buyer, I want to be able to restock individual packs without keeping opened toast for too long. For around 14% of consumers, this practical approach to stock is the main consideration. |
The Van der Meulen Melba Toast Volkoren listed by Albert Heijn contains, among other things, wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya. Choosing a wholemeal option doesn't tell staff with a relevant allergy whether it's safe for them to eat.
Keep separate, up-to-date allergen information for every type of toast and topping combination, and make it available before customers choose when serving unpackaged products.
A larger pack doesn't resolve the choice between wholemeal and plain toast. For example, the plain and wholemeal options listed by Albert Heijn differ in their fibre content per 100 g.
As well as the number of pieces of toast, compare the ingredients, nutritional information and the amount the canteen is likely to use.
A toast made with wholemeal grains and spelt may fit the range, but making it a regular canteen option also means being able to reorder it reliably.
Check current availability, the recipe and allergen information with the supplier before making an option a permanent choice.
For AH Melba toast naturel, Albert Heijn says to store it in a sealed container after opening. Leaving an open pack at the serving station doesn't follow this product instruction.
Restock the serving station in small quantities, seal the remaining stock and keep a record of when packs were opened.
The melba toast range includes a wholemeal option, which is worth considering if the canteen also wants to offer a fibre-focused choice.
AH Melba toast naturel is a plain melba toast option to consider alongside a separate wholemeal choice.
Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast as a possible way to source the same type of toast.
ALDI lists toast options including wholemeal, plain and varieties with seeds.
Lidl lists freshly baked bread ranging from wholemeal to multigrain. This is a bread range, not a specification that can be applied to melba toast.
Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd is a separate crisp lunch product for canteens looking to offer more than toast.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about the regulated allergens present in unpackaged food must be available to customers. Make sure staff can access this information before choosing, and specify which cereal is involved for gluten-containing grains; also take the ingredients in the toppings into account.
No. A wholemeal option suits a fibre-focused choice, while a plain option may suit a different taste preference. Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Volkoren and 3.9 g per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel; check the ingredients and allergens for each product too.
Follow the storage instructions for the toast you've chosen. For AH Melba toast naturel, Albert Heijn says to store it in a sealed container after opening; only open as much as you expect to use.
No. Don't assume every type of toast has the same iodine content. Check the current label or ask the supplier which salt is used in the specific product if iodine is relevant to the product information.
