Who might find this choice relevant?

Organic shoppers who also care about the grain base

You want organic bread, but don’t assume that multigrain means wholemeal. Check the organic label, then check separately whether the bread is wholemeal.

Fussy eaters who want to try something different

You’re looking for bread with a taste or texture you prefer to the wholemeal loaf you’re considering. If you choose brown or another type of multigrain bread instead, compare the ingredients and fibre content.

Households that read labels carefully

For the loaf you choose, check the ingredients, allergens and salt or baker’s salt information. Always refer to the current packaging for that exact variety.

What should you look for?

First decide whether organic and wholemeal are both must-haves. Then compare taste, loaf size and nutritional information for products that meet your main requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base and fibre Look for a wholemeal claim and compare the fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If a wholemeal base is my main priority, I won’t be swayed by colour or seeds. For around 33% of consumers, that base would come first.
Organic origin For pre-packed organic bread, check the organic claim and the EU organic logo; assess whether it is wholemeal separately. I want to be able to tell whether the bread is organic, even if another loaf lists more fibre. For around 27% of consumers, organic origin would come first.
Taste and texture Compare different types of bread and, if available, try a smaller loaf first. If I don’t enjoy wholemeal bread, I want to be able to try another loaf without assuming that all multigrain breads have the same ingredients. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise taste and texture.
Up-to-date product information Check the ingredients, allergens, salt per 100 g and any mention of baker’s salt on the packaging. I need to know what’s in this particular loaf before I buy it. For around 20% of consumers, product details like these would be their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    Multigrain means that more than one type of grain is used; it doesn’t automatically mean the whole grain is used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with flour differs from wholemeal bread in several ways, including its fibre content.

    Use the wholemeal claim and ingredients as your criteria, rather than the dark colour or visible seeds.

  • Assuming organic means wholemeal

    Organic refers to how a product is made; wholemeal describes the grain used. One claim doesn’t confirm the other.

    For pre-packed bread, check the organic mark, then look separately for the wholemeal claim and nutritional information.

  • Assuming all bread has the same salt or iodine content

    Under the Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods, baker’s salt is iodised table salt for bakery products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also lists multigrain bread without baker’s salt, so the ingredients vary from loaf to loaf.

    Check the ingredients and salt per 100 g for the product you choose, rather than relying on the information for another loaf.

  • Treating a category page like a product label

    A bread category doesn’t show whether every variety listed is organic or wholemeal. Product ingredients and allergen information can also change.

    Check the exact variety shortly before buying, then read the current packaging when it arrives.

Brands to compare

These brands give you a starting point for comparing types of bread. Always assess organic origin, the wholemeal base and nutritional information for each individual product.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Organic Zaans brown multigrain bread and organic sourdough multigrain bread.

  • Offers specific organic multigrain varieties to consider.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging of the variety you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both multigrain bread and a separate wholemeal multigrain bread.

  • Lets you compare the multigrain and wholemeal multigrain claims on individual products.
  • The nutritional values for Jumbo Multigrain Whole Loaf don’t automatically apply to its wholemeal bread or other varieties.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists an organic rustic multigrain sourdough bread and a separate multigrain bread.

  • Provides product information so you can compare an organic sourdough variety with another multigrain loaf.
  • For the loaf you choose, check the current organic mark, ingredients and allergen information.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Farmers’ wholemeal multigrain bread and, separately, a category for organic products.

  • The bread listed gives you a specific starting point if you’re looking for wholemeal multigrain.
  • The organic category doesn’t confirm that this particular wholemeal multigrain bread is organic.

PLUS

PLUS has a multigrain bread category with different types of loaves, including a sourdough variety.

  • You can browse individual multigrain products and types of bread.
  • A category label doesn’t confirm that each product is organic or wholemeal.

Dirk

Dirk lists multigrain bread among its bakery products and has a separate category for organic bread products.

  • The categories can help you find relevant types of bread.
  • For a specific loaf, check that it has both the organic and wholemeal claims you’re looking for.

Multigrain bread on Joybuy

This product is a round multigrain loaf to consider if you’re looking for this type of bread. If you want it to be both organic and wholemeal, check each claim separately on the current packaging.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

A round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to try this type of bread. The stated size is 550 g. If they matter to your choice, check the current packaging for the organic and wholemeal claims, ingredients and nutritional information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term multigrain on its own doesn’t mean that bread is made from wholemeal grain. Look for a wholemeal claim on the specific loaf and check the ingredients if you want a wholemeal base.

How can I identify organic bread?

For pre-packed bread, check the organic claim and the EU organic logo. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an authorised control body or organisation; it says nothing about whether the bread is wholemeal.

Does all multigrain bread contain baker’s salt?

No, don’t assume it does. The Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bakery products, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also lists multigrain bread without baker’s salt. So check the ingredients of the loaf you choose.

What should I check when I order bread online?

When your order arrives, check the packaging of the variety you received, especially the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and any organic mark. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product and allergen information can change.