Who is this choice relevant to?

Host serving a range of toppings

You want a crisp base for a variety of spreads, fish, cheese or vegetables, with the toppings taking centre stage. If you choose sesame or herb toast, you’re deliberately adding an extra flavour note.

Label-conscious shopper for a drinks party

You want to check the ingredients and allergens in a particular type of toast before serving it. A plain flavour doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with an allergy or intolerance.

Shopping for a larger group

You compare the number of toasts, individual packets and quantity per pack so you can buy enough without opening everything at once.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want to toast bread slices yourself or buy ready-made Melba toast. For a table with a range of toppings, choose based on flavour, the label and how much you need. The packaging of Melba toast won’t tell you how thick a slice of bread is.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Flavour with toppings Compare plain toast with sesame or herb varieties; for small bites, check the shape and size too. If you’re serving lots of different toppings, you’ll want toast that doesn’t overpower their flavour. Around 33% of consumers would choose a neutral base as their top buying priority.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces for each variety. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether the toast I’ve chosen is suitable before serving it. Around 27% of consumers would put this check first.
Nutritional information Compare salt on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g, and check the label to see whether baker’s salt is listed. When comparing varieties, I want to be able to compare the salt values without assuming anything about iodine from the word ‘toast’. This would be the top buying priority for around 20% of consumers.
Quantity and packaging Check the number of toasts or packets, the quantity per pack and availability at your chosen retailer. When catering for a group, I want to serve enough toast and keep unopened packets in reserve. Around 20% of consumers would base their choice mainly on this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming plain means allergen-free

    The plain varieties examined from AH and Van der Meulen contain wheat, barley and soya, and warn that they may contain traces of sesame. A neutral flavour doesn’t make a product suitable for someone who needs to avoid these ingredients.

    For every guest with an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen and, if necessary, choose an alternative that is confirmed as suitable.

  • Assuming toast contains iodine

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. An organic label also doesn’t tell you whether a specific product is made with it.

    If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.

  • Looking only at the pack weight

    A 240 g pack may be divided up differently than you expect: according to Albert Heijn, AH plain Melba toast contains twelve packets of six toasts. Availability also varies by retailer and sales channel.

    Work out how many toasts you need and check how many individual packets are included. Then check whether the variety you’ve chosen is available through your preferred retailer.

  • Using flavoured toast as a neutral base

    Sesame or herbs add their own flavour, which may not work with every topping. A sesame variety also has a different allergen profile from toast that doesn’t contain sesame as an ingredient.

    For a variety of toppings, start with a plain option and serve a flavoured variety separately only if its extra flavour suits part of the menu.

Brands to consider

Van der Meulen / Melba

A range of Melba toast including plain, wholemeal, sesame and multigrain varieties, as shown in Jumbo’s range.

  • The plain variety gives you an option without added sesame flavour when you want the toppings to take centre stage.
  • The plain variety examined contains wheat, barley and soya and may contain sesame; check the allergens on each pack.

Albert Heijn

Own-brand range with a plain multipack and a separate organic sesame variety.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the 240 g pack of plain toast contains twelve packets of six toasts.
  • According to Albert Heijn, the organic sesame variety contains 7% sesame seeds, so it is not a sesame-free alternative to the plain variety.

Jumbo

Own-brand range including a tomato and basil variety, alongside Van der Meulen products.

  • The tomato and basil variety gives you a flavoured option when that taste complements your toppings.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety you choose; flavours within a range aren’t interchangeable.

Sun Snacks / ALDI

Plain Melba toast in a 240 g pack, as listed by ALDI Netherlands.

  • The stated weight gives you a useful starting point for planning how much toast to buy for a group.
  • Check the packaging of the product you buy for its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Lidl

240 g of Melba toast, listed by Lidl as a store product.

  • The stated pack weight helps you compare the quantities you’ll need.
  • Check availability at your chosen store and read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging.

Melba toast for a variety of toppings

If you’re looking for ready-made plain Melba toast as a base for different toppings, this product is a good fit. If you want medium-sliced bread to toast yourself, check the slice thickness and packaging separately.

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g pack

Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g

Its neutral flavour makes this Melba toast a good option when you want to serve a range of toppings. The pack contains 100 g; if you’re serving guests with allergies, check the current ingredients and allergens on the label. Compare nutritional values, including salt, only when the quantity they refer to is clear, and check the number of toasts if you’re buying for a group.

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Frequently asked questions

Does toast in the Netherlands have to be made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list for the specific toast if you want to know whether it was made with baker’s salt or iodised salt.

Which allergens should I check when buying Melba toast for a group?

Check the ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging for each variety. The plain AH and Van der Meulen products examined contain wheat, barley and soya, and warn of possible traces of sesame; the ingredients may differ in other varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.

How should I store Melba toast after opening?

Store opened Melba toast in a sealed container in a dry place, following the storage instructions on the relevant packaging. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its plain and organic Melba toast in a sealed tin after opening; check the instructions for other products.

Does an organic label tell me anything about the iodine in toast?

No. An organic label doesn’t tell you whether the toast was made with iodised baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory, so check the ingredients of the specific product.