Buyers who follow the allergen policy
Check that the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging comply with the arrangements in place for the children at your setting. BOinK says that a nursery’s food policy should set out its approach to food.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Nurseries serving portions to groups
Individually wrapped portions can help you avoid opening the entire pack at once. Albert Heijn lists its AH Melba Toast Natural as a 240 g pack containing 12 inner packs, each with 6 pieces of toast.
Buyers comparing nutritional value
If you serve toast as an addition to lunch, you can compare the fibre, salt and ingredients in each variety. Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain Toast as containing 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g. Also check that the allergens listed are suitable for your group.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the nursery’s food policy and allergen arrangements. Then compare the portion sizes, nutritional information and the quantity the group will actually use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and food policy | Read the label for the exact variety, including any warnings about traces. Check the ingredients against the nursery’s arrangements. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know before buying whether the toast meets the requirements. This is the most important consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portions for a group | Compare the total weight with the number of inner packs and pieces of toast in each pack. Check how the product should be stored after opening. | When there are several mealtimes, I want to be able to open only what’s needed, rather than opening the whole pack straight away. Group portions come first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Its place in the lunch | Check the fibre and salt per 100 g, and read which grains the variety contains. Decide how the toast fits in with the rest of the lunch. | If toast is served regularly, I want to know what it adds to the usual lunch. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | For a first try, choose a quantity you can use and follow the storage instructions after opening. | If I’m not sure whether the group will eat the crisp toast, I’d rather start with a small pack. This is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large pack is a complete lunch option
Inner packs make toast easier to portion out, but they don’t determine its place in the lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children aged 4 to 12 as part of a bread-based meal.
Discuss how toast can be included as an addition within the nursery’s food policy, and take the children’s ages into account.
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Only checking for gluten
Depending on the Melba toast variety, other grains, soya or sesame may also be relevant, as well as wheat. A name such as Natural or Multigrain doesn’t tell you which ingredients are suitable for a particular group.
Read the full allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. Follow the individual arrangements and the setting’s procedures.
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Planning to keep a flavoured variety in stock
A variety you’ve chosen before may not be available next time. For example, Jumbo’s product page said that Melba Toast Tomato & Basil was no longer part of its online range.
Check the current variety, packaging and ingredients before buying, especially if you’re planning for several lunches.
Brands to compare
The packs and varieties mentioned can help you compare products more easily. Always check the product you’re actually buying.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Melba Toast Natural in a 240 g pack containing 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast.
- The inner packs let you open just a portion of the pack for each mealtime.
- The product information lists wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients, and says that sesame, oats, spelt and rye may also be present. Check the current label before serving it to your group.
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists several Van der Meulen Melba toast varieties, including Natural and Multigrain.
- According to Jumbo, the 120 g multigrain variety contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour and 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This multigrain variety also lists oats, rye, sesame, soya and wheat. A 120 g pack is also smaller than the 240 g AH pack mentioned above.
Jumbo
As well as the Van der Meulen products mentioned above, Jumbo has also listed its own tomato and basil Melba toast variety.
- The own-brand variety shows that flavour, ingredients and pack size are separate points to compare.
- The product page said this specific Tomato & Basil variety was no longer part of the online range. Don’t assume it will always be available.
Toast products at Joybuy
These Melba toast products give you a 240 g pack and a smaller 100 g pack to compare for serving as an addition to lunch. Check the current packaging for both before deciding which is right for your group.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
A 240 g pack to consider if the nursery uses a larger quantity of Melba toast. Before buying, check whether the pack contains individually wrapped portions if you need to open them separately.
Check the allergens against the current label, particularly if there are arrangements concerning wheat, barley, soya or sesame. Make sure young children are appropriately supervised while eating.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
A 100 g pack for a smaller quantity, or to try first and see whether the group likes this toast. Check how the portions are packed if you need individually wrapped packs.
Read the current label if there are arrangements concerning wheat, barley or possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard. Seal the pack after opening as instructed on the product, and supervise young children while they eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can toast replace the usual lunch at nursery?
Don’t assume that toast can replace the usual bread-based lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children aged 4 to 12 as lunch options. Check how toast fits within your setting’s food policy for the relevant age group.
Should I check for allergens other than gluten in pre-packed toast?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label. Check the ingredients and any warnings about traces for the exact toast variety, and compare them with the arrangements in place for the children.
Is multigrain Melba toast automatically suitable for every group?
No. Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain Toast as containing 45% wholemeal wheat flour and 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g, but it also contains allergens including oats, rye, sesame, soya and wheat. Nutritional information and suitability under the allergen policy need to be considered separately.
What’s the best way to store toast for several mealtimes?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose, and only open what you need for each mealtime. Albert Heijn says that its Melba toast, which comes in 12 inner packs, should be stored in a sealed container after opening.