Who is this choice relevant to?

Fibre-conscious hosts

You don’t want to judge by the dark colour or visible seeds alone; you want to check whether a multigrain loaf is actually wholemeal. The product name and fibre per 100 g help you compare similar options.

Planners short on preparation time

Choose a bread shape that suits the way you’ll serve it: sliced bread for topped bites, rolls for individual portions, or bake-at-home bread if you have time to bake just before your get-together.

Households that check labels carefully

You want to know which allergens the bread contains before serving it, and whether the label lists iodised salt or baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing multigrain bread for entertaining, first decide what matters most to you: clearly labelled wholemeal bread and fibre, easy serving, or checking the label for your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare fibre per 100 g; colour and seeds are no substitute. I want to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal, rather than judging by its dark colour. For around 50% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre are likely to be their main concern when buying.
Serving and preparation Check whether the bread is already sliced, comes as rolls or needs baking; for bake-at-home bread, check the preparation instructions. If I’m short on time just before the get-together, I want bread I can top without any extra preparation. Serving convenience is likely to come first for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens, salt and iodine Read the current allergen information and compare salt per 100 g. To check for iodine, look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients. When I’m hosting guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the label before serving; salt and iodine information may matter too. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is likely to be the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or lots of seeds means it’s wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain are used. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that for bread to be labelled ‘wholemeal’, all the flour used must be made from whole grains; the colour or finish doesn’t tell you this.

    Check the product name and ingredients, and use the fibre value per 100 g to compare loaves.

  • Checking for allergens only when it’s time to serve

    Multigrain products may contain various gluten-containing grains and other relevant allergens. Ingredients vary from product to product, even when the breads look similar.

    Read the current allergen information for each loaf before buying it for guests. If in doubt, choose an alternative with ingredients that are clear for the guest in question.

  • Assuming all bread is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using iodised baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. So you can’t tell what type of salt has been used from the bread’s name.

    Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask the baker if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

  • Choosing bake-at-home bread without allowing time to prepare it

    Bake-at-home bread needs an oven or air fryer and must be prepared according to the instructions for that particular product before you serve it.

    Check the temperature and cooking time on the packaging. If you don’t have the time or equipment, choose bread you can slice and top straight away.

Brands to consider

These brands give you a starting point for comparing bread shapes and labels; always assess the specific product you’re planning to buy.

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to compare different wholemeal bread options from one supermarket range.

  • Albert Heijn explains what the ‘wholemeal’ label means for bread in its own guidance.
  • For a specific multigrain loaf, still check the current product name, ingredients and nutritional information.

Jumbo

A useful option if you want to compare wholemeal multigrain bread or rolls for topped party bites.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists iodised salt and 7.4 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal multigrain rolls.
  • Check the packaging for the version you choose: ingredients, allergens and nutritional values don’t automatically apply to other Jumbo breads.

PLUS

Worth considering if you’re looking at wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home baguettes for warm party bites.

  • PLUS product information lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal multigrain baguettes, with instructions for oven and air fryer preparation.
  • This bake-at-home product needs to be prepared just before serving; also check the current allergen information on the packaging.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; that doesn’t mean all the flour used is wholemeal. Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g when making your choice.

Does Dutch bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ on the label, and ask the baker if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

How do I choose multigrain bread for guests with allergies?

Before buying, check the ingredients list and allergen information for the specific bread; the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which allergens it contains. Product information from PLUS and Jumbo shows that the grains used and allergen information, including for soya and sesame, can vary between versions.

Can I buy wholemeal multigrain bake-at-home bread in advance for a get-together?

Yes, as long as you can follow the storage and preparation instructions for the product you choose. PLUS says its wholemeal multigrain baguettes should be baked for 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or for 5–6 minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C; check the current packaging before planning how to prepare them.