Choose wholemeal toast if verified wholemeal ingredients and fibre content are your priorities; plain Melba toast may suit diners who prefer a simple base for their toppings. If you’re catering for different preferences, you can serve both types separately. Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack: the Van der Meulen varieties listed by Jumbo also differ in fibre and salt content.
If you want to put wholemeal toast on the table, check the product description rather than relying on its colour. The Dutch Nutrition Centre explains that toast can only be called wholemeal if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour.
If some of your guests prefer plain Melba toast with familiar toppings, you can serve it alongside a wholemeal variety. Be sure to compare the nutritional information for each product: the two Van der Meulen varieties at Jumbo have different fibre contents.
The Van der Meulen products listed by Jumbo contain sesame in the wholemeal variety, while the plain variety may contain sesame. Check the current packaging for each person at the table and keep the varieties clearly separate when serving.
Start by deciding whether verified wholemeal ingredients or a familiar plain toast matters more to your guests. Then check the ingredients on each pack to make sure they’re suitable for everyone who’ll be eating.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word wholemeal and compare fibre per 100 g. Jumbo lists 9,7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast and 3,9 g for Melba Toast Plain. | I want to know the toast is genuinely wholemeal, even if another variety looks dark. Around 40% of consumers say verified wholemeal ingredients are their priority. |
| Appeal to your guests | If preferences vary, consider serving plain and wholemeal toast separately, and choose toppings your guests enjoy. | If fussy eaters leave the toast untouched, I also want to be able to offer a familiar plain variety. For around 30% of consumers, how well it goes down matters most. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen statements for each variety. According to Jumbo, the wholemeal Melba toast being compared contains sesame; the plain variety may contain sesame. | If someone at the table needs to avoid sesame, I need to know which toast is on which plate. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Pack size and serving | Choose an amount that suits the number of guests and whether you’re serving one or two varieties. The two Van der Meulen packs being compared at Jumbo each contain 120 g. | I want enough toast for dinner without having lots left over. For around 10% of consumers, getting the quantity and serving right comes first. |
The word multigrain doesn’t tell you by itself whether a piece of toast is made entirely from wholemeal flour. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, toast can only be called wholemeal if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Look for the word wholemeal on the pack, then compare the fibre content per 100 g.
The Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast listed by Jumbo contains sesame; the plain variety is labelled as possibly containing sesame. Keeping the packs distinct matters if someone needs to avoid an allergen.
Read both labels and use separate plates and serving utensils if needed for your guests.
A toast product name doesn’t tell you whether iodised baker’s salt was used in its production.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to you, or ask the manufacturer about the specific variety.
Ingredients and nutritional information can vary between varieties or change when a product is updated. An old product page is therefore no substitute for checking the pack you’re buying.
Check the latest product information when you shop and read the label on the pack before serving.
Jumbo lists Melba Toast Plain and Melba Wholemeal Toast as separate 120 g varieties.
Albert Heijn product pages can help you check the ingredients and nutritional information for a specific Melba toast variety.
ALDI lists plain and wholemeal toast among its products.
Bolletje Light Wholemeal Crackers are another crunchy option for toppings, but they aren’t Melba toast.
These Joybuy products are Melba toast options to consider alongside a wholemeal variety. Compare the packaging before making your final choice, especially if fibre or allergens are important factors.
No image available
Worth considering if you want to serve Melba toast alongside a wholemeal variety. Pack size: 100 g.
Check the current packaging for fibre and allergen information if these will affect your choice.
No image available
Worth considering if you want to serve round Melba toast alongside a wholemeal variety. Pack size: 100 g.
Check the fibre and allergen information on the current packaging before choosing this variety for your guests.
No image available
Worth considering if you’re stocking up on Melba toast for dinner. Pack size: 240 g; choose an amount that suits your guests.
Check the allergens directly on the packaging before serving, especially if someone at the table needs to avoid an allergen.
No. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, toast can only be called wholemeal if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour; multigrain doesn’t mean that by itself. Check the product description and ingredients list.
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Food describes the addition of baker’s salt containing no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt to bread, bread alternatives and other baked goods; this provision doesn’t show that every piece of toast is made with it. Check the ingredients list for the variety you choose.
Check the packaging of each toast product separately, including any statements about possible traces. According to Jumbo, Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast contains sesame, while the plain variety may contain sesame. Keep the packs clearly identifiable by the separate plates, and take care with the serving utensils too.
Prepare topped Melba toast shortly before serving if you want to stop moisture from the toppings making it soft. Store any unused toast according to the instructions on the pack, and reseal an opened pack securely.
