Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want to compare sugars in toast

You’re looking for a base for party nibbles and checking the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. A claim of 0 g added sugars answers a different question from the total amount of sugars.

If you’re weighing up fibre and toppings

You’re choosing between plain Melba toast for a range of toppings and a wholemeal option with more fibre. The nutritional information and ingredients of the exact product are what matter.

If you’re checking ingredients and salt for guests

Before serving, you want to check which grains, soya or sesame the toast contains and how much salt is in your chosen variety. Check the toppings you’re serving with it as well.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with sugars per 100 g. Then compare the fibre and the flavour you want from the toast, and check the ingredients and salt content on the exact pack for your guests.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important to?
Sugars per 100 g Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; the Voedingscentrum sets a maximum of 5 g per 100 g for the ‘low sugar’ claim. Assess added sugars and comparative claims separately. If I want to choose a toast base by its sugar content, I need a figure that lets me compare varieties directly. For around 42% of these consumers, this is their top priority.
Fibre and flavour Compare fibre per 100 g and decide whether plain or wholemeal will work better with your toppings. For the Van der Meulen wholemeal variety reviewed here, Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 3.9 g for the plain varieties reviewed. For a platter with a range of toppings, I want to choose between a more neutral base and an option with more fibre. Around 33% of consumers put this consideration first.
Ingredients and salt Read the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety, and compare salt per 100 g. Pay particular attention to sesame in wholemeal or sesame toast. When serving toast to several guests, I want to know what ingredients it contains and how much salt I’m serving alongside the toppings. This is the most important check for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘reduced sugar’ as ‘low sugar’

    Comparing a product with another does not, by itself, tell you whether the toast is below the threshold for the ‘low sugar’ claim.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on both packs. According to the Voedingscentrum, the ‘low sugar’ threshold is no more than 5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Assessing the toast base on its own

    The nutritional value of a topped piece of toast also depends on the topping and any sauce. Comparing plain toast varieties therefore doesn’t tell you everything about the finished bite.

    Check the nutritional information for the toast and toppings separately, and offer guests a choice of toppings if needed.

  • Assuming wholemeal or organic means lower in sugar

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the plain, wholemeal and organic Melba toasts reviewed here each contain 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. They differ in areas including fibre and ingredients.

    Choose the variety for the qualities that matter for your gathering, and always check the nutritional table on the pack for its sugar content.

Brands to consider

These brands offer useful options for comparing types of toast or alternative bases for party nibbles. The nutritional values given apply to the products described, not to the entire brand.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists both plain Melba toast and an organic Melba toast with sesame seeds.

  • The product information lists 3.2 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for both varieties.
  • The organic variety contains sesame; the plain variety lists 1.93 g of salt per 100 g. Check which ingredients are relevant to your guests.

Van der Meulen

The plain and wholemeal Melba toasts reviewed here let you compare flavour preference and fibre content.

  • Albert Heijn lists 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g for both varieties; the wholemeal option contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 3.9 g for the plain variety.
  • The wholemeal variety contains sesame and lists 1.9 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 1.3 g of salt per 100 g for the plain variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers several types of party toast, including varieties with added flavourings.

  • A flavoured variety can be compared with plain toast for sugars and salt per 100 g.
  • According to Jumbo, the Crunchy Toast with black olives and sun-dried tomatoes reviewed here contains 7.1 g of sugars and 1.89 g of salt per 100 g. Its sugar content is therefore above the ‘low sugar’ threshold set by the Voedingscentrum.

Bolletje

Bolletje is worth considering if you’re looking at crackers, rusks or crispbread as well as Melba toast for your toppings.

  • The range includes wholemeal crispbread, which is a different type of product from party toast.
  • Compare these alternatives only using the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific pack; don’t automatically treat them as low-sugar toast.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘low sugar’?

No, the claims refer to different qualities. To check the total amount, look at the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g; the Voedingscentrum sets the ‘low sugar’ threshold at no more than 5 g per 100 g. A claim of 0 g added sugars doesn’t mean the product contains 0 g of sugars.

Do toppings count when I compare toast varieties for sugar?

Yes, what you put on the toast also matters for the finished bite. First compare the toast varieties per 100 g, then check the nutritional information for spreads, sauces and other toppings separately.

Does the salt in toast mean it contains iodised baker’s salt?

No, the word ‘salt’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how iodine compounds may be added to certain bakery products, but this doesn’t establish which ingredients are in a particular toast. Check the pack or ask the manufacturer about the exact variety.

Which ingredients deserve extra attention when serving Melba toast to guests?

At the very least, check the chosen Melba toast for wheat, barley, soya and sesame. The wholemeal and organic sesame varieties reviewed here contain sesame; also read any warnings on the pack you’re actually serving.