Those looking for fibre and wholegrains
You want to check the fibre content and may be looking for rusks that clearly state that their grain base is wholegrain too. Seeds on the front of the pack don’t tell you that.
Who are these selection criteria relevant to?
Label-checkers keeping an eye on salt
You want to compare salt, sugars and fibre across similar rusks. Values per 100 g are more useful for this than values per serving when serving sizes differ.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
Before buying, you want to check whether the rusks contain sesame, gluten-containing cereals or egg, and whether the pack warns that other allergens may be present.
What should you look for in multi-seed rusks?
Start by checking the grain base you want and the nutritional information. Then make sure the allergens and the portion you plan to eat with your toppings suit your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and wholegrains | Look for an explicit wholegrain claim, check which type of flour is used and compare fibre per 100 g. | If you want wholegrain rusks as the basis for your lunch, the ‘multi-seed’ label alone isn’t enough. Fibre and a wholegrain base are top priorities for around 36% of consumers. |
| Salt and sugars | Compare salt and sugars per 100 g across similar rusks, and take salty toppings into account. | If my toppings are salty too, I want to know what the rusks add to my lunch. That’s why salt and sugars are the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings that other allergens may be present on the pack. | If I have a relevant allergy, I first need to know whether the rusks contain sesame, gluten-containing cereals or egg. Allergens are the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Portion and toppings | Check the values per rusk as well as how many you eat; use the values per 100 g to compare products. | If you’re putting together a lunch, you’ll also want to consider how many rusks you eat and what you put on them. This is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Pitfalls to avoid when choosing
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Assuming ‘multi-seed’ means ‘wholegrain’
Seeds don’t tell you which flour forms the base. For example, the Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Meerzaden described by Jumbo lists wheat flour, while Albert Heijn’s AH Biologisch Volkoren beschuit meerzaden lists wholemeal wheat flour.
If you specifically want wholegrain rusks, check the product name and ingredients list. Then compare the fibre content per 100 g.
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Focusing only on fibre
Salt content varies between products. Jumbo lists 0.52 g of salt per 100 g for the Bolletje rusks mentioned above; Albert Heijn lists 0.73 g per 100 g for the AH rusks mentioned above. Your toppings also contribute to the total salt in your lunch.
Compare salt values on the same per-100-g basis, then think about what you’ll put on your rusks.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
Both the Bolletje and AH products mentioned contain sesame and gluten-containing cereals; the AH product also contains egg. The name ‘multi-seed’ doesn’t give you the full picture.
Check the current pack when you buy, including any warnings that other allergens may be present.
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Assuming they contain iodised baker’s salt
You can’t tell which type of salt has been used just from the product category.
If iodised salt is important to your choice, check which type of salt is listed in the ingredients.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
The Vezelrijk Beschuit Meerzaden variety combines several seeds in rusks for breakfast or lunch.
- Jumbo’s product information lists sunflower seeds, linseed, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds, and states that the rusks contain 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This variety isn’t labelled as wholegrain and contains wheat and sesame.
Albert Heijn
AH Biologisch Volkoren beschuit meerzaden is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a wholegrain base.
- For this variety, Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour, linseed, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds, as well as 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same variety contains egg, sesame and gluten-containing cereals; Albert Heijn lists 0.73 g of salt per 100 g.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for items including Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Meerzaden.
- The product page lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for that specific variety.
- Check the current pack when you buy, as product information can change.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are multi-seed rusks automatically wholegrain?
No. ‘Multi-seed’ refers to the seeds, not necessarily the flour used. For AH Biologisch Volkoren beschuit meerzaden, Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour; the Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Meerzaden described by Jumbo lists wheat flour. So, if wholegrains matter to you, check the ingredients list.
How do I compare the nutritional information for two types of rusks?
First compare similar products per 100 g. According to Jumbo’s product information, a Bolletje Vezelrijk Beschuit Meerzaden weighs around 16 g, while Albert Heijn gives a serving size of 23 g for AH Biologisch Volkoren beschuit meerzaden. Then consider how many rusks you’ll eat and what you’ll put on them as part of your own lunch.
What should I check in multi-seed rusks if allergens matter to me?
Check the allergen information on the current pack before buying. Both the Bolletje and AH products mentioned contain sesame and gluten-containing cereals; the AH product also contains egg. Check for any warnings that other allergens may be present too.
How can I tell whether rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?
Check the name of the salt in the ingredients list for the specific product. Don’t assume that iodised baker’s salt has been used just because the product is called a rusk.