If you want a wholemeal base, specifically choose wholemeal multigrain bread: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the term ‘multigrain’ alone does not guarantee that a loaf is wholemeal. For a BBQ with guests who have different preferences, the ingredients and type of bread will determine what’s practical: sliced bread needs no cutting at the table, while bake-at-home bread needs to be prepared just before serving. Also check the allergens for the option you choose and, if it matters to your choice, whether baker’s salt has been used.
If not everyone wants dark or seed-packed bread, look at the ingredients and type of bread rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, that word doesn’t tell you whether the loaf is wholemeal.
If you’d like to serve a wholemeal option with burgers, grilled vegetables or salads, look for an explicit wholemeal description. A dark colour or seeds on the crust are no substitute.
If a guest has a food allergy, check the allergen information for the exact bread you’re serving. Product information from Jumbo and PLUS shows that declarations of allergens present or potentially present vary between multigrain products.
First decide whether wholemeal is a must-have for you, then choose a type of bread that suits the way you plan to serve it. If any guests have allergies, always check the packaging of the option you actually buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and read the ingredients list; don’t judge by the colour or crust. | I want to serve wholemeal bread at my BBQ, not just a loaf made with different grains. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal is the top priority. |
| Flavour and texture | Check the ingredients and choose a type of bread that suits your guests’ preferences; don’t assume it will taste mild just from the name. | If my guests would rather avoid bread packed with seeds, I’ll look for an option that better suits their preferences. For around 27% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Type of bread and timing | Check the number of items in the pack and, for bake-at-home bread, the preparation instructions and equipment needed. | I want to be able to serve bread when the food is ready, without holding up the meal. For around 20% of consumers, convenience is the deciding factor. |
| Label information | Read the allergen declaration on the chosen packaging. If you wish, also check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If I need to cater for a guest with a food allergy, I need to know what this particular bread contains or may contain. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the main concern. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that at least three types of grain have been used. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority makes clear that a wholemeal claim relates to the grain ingredient; colour and seeds don’t prove that a loaf is wholemeal.
Is wholemeal a must-have? Look for an explicit wholemeal description and check the ingredients for the option you’ve chosen.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt has been used from the type of bread or the shop’s name alone.
If it matters to your choice, read the ingredients on the packaging or ask about unwrapped bread.
Multigrain breads can contain different grains, seeds and allergens. The declarations for Jumbo and PLUS products can’t be applied to another option.
Check the current packaging of every loaf you serve and keep the information available for guests.
Bake-at-home bread needs space to be prepared just before the meal. For example, PLUS gives an oven cooking time of 8–10 minutes at 220 °C for its wholemeal multigrain baguettes; those instructions apply to that product, not all baguettes.
Choose bake-at-home bread if you can follow the instructions on the packaging in time. If that’s not convenient, look for bread you can serve straight away.
These ranges feature different types of bread and product descriptions. Always compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf you’re planning to buy.
The multigrain and cornbread range includes options such as rustic loaves and sliced multigrain bread.
The multigrain range also includes products explicitly described as wholemeal.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing, among other ingredients, wheat, barley and buckwheat as an in-store product.
ALDI offers both a premium multigrain rustic loaf and a separate farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.
PLUS offers products including wholemeal multigrain rolls and bake-at-home baguettes.
The range distinguishes standard multigrain products from options explicitly described as wholemeal multigrain, including bread from Bakker van der Akker.
These g'woon options include baguettes to share at a BBQ buffet and individual rolls to serve as separate portions. Choose based on the type of bread, and check the packaging if an explicit wholemeal description, a particular preparation method or allergen information is important to you.
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A baguette-style option for sharing at a BBQ buffet.
Pack size: 2 pieces, 300 g.
Check the packaging to see whether preparation is needed and whether the wholemeal description and allergen information suit your guests.
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Four individual rolls for serving separate portions at the buffet.
Pack size: 4 pieces.
Are you specifically looking for wholemeal bread, or do you need to cater for guests with allergies? Check the product description and allergen information on the current packaging.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t guarantee a wholemeal base. If wholemeal is a must-have for you, look for an explicit wholemeal description.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t have to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on packaged bread or ask which salt has been used for unwrapped bread.
Read the allergen declaration for the exact option you plan to serve, including any warnings about possible traces. For example, Jumbo lists cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya among the allergens for its wholemeal multigrain rolls; that list doesn’t automatically apply to another loaf.
Yes, as long as you store it according to the instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. For bake-at-home bread, also check when and how it needs to be prepared so you can fit this in around when you want to serve it.
Choose bake-at-home baguettes if you have the time and equipment to prepare them just before serving. If you want to put bread on the buffet without preparing it, a pre-sliced loaf saves you cutting it up; for example, ALDI lists this feature for its premium multigrain rustic loaf.
