Organisers who want to plan portions in advance
If you’re buying bread for a group, rolls make portioning easier. With a whole loaf, you’ll also need to arrange the slicing; bake-at-home bread requires time and suitable equipment.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fussy eaters looking for a milder flavour
A light multiseed or multigrain bread may better suit your taste preferences. Don’t assume bread is wholegrain just because of its colour or seeds.
Buyers who need to check allergens
For multigrain bread, it’s important to check the latest ingredients and allergen information. Products may contain different allergens in addition to cereals containing gluten. You can’t tell whether bread is gluten-free just from the ‘multigrain’ label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether flavour, a verifiable wholegrain base, serving at the festival or allergen checks are your main priority. Then compare the labels of breads that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholegrain’ and compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | I want to serve bread with a verifiable wholegrain base and not rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. This is the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Check the ingredients and note whether seeds are included; try the bread in advance if you’re buying for a group. | My group prefers bread with a milder flavour or a different texture, so I want to find out what they like first. This is the main preference for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions and preparation | Choose a bread format that suits how you’ll serve it, and check the storage and baking instructions. | I want to serve portions quickly at the festival, without any unexpected slicing or baking. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this practical convenience. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information for each product and, if selling unwrapped food, make the information available to customers. | I need to be able to check which ingredients are relevant to my guests before serving. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholegrain’
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholegrain, and its colour isn’t a reliable guide either.
Look for an explicit wholegrain label on the product, and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming grains and seeds mean bread is allergen-free
Multigrain products may contain cereals with gluten and, depending on the recipe, other allergens. The ingredients in one loaf won’t necessarily be the same as those in another.
Check the latest information on every pack. If you need gluten-free bread, look for a product clearly labelled gluten-free and take care to avoid contact with standard bread when serving it.
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Buying early without a storage or portioning plan
Rolls, whole loaves and bake-at-home bread all need different preparation. The Voedingscentrum also points out that bread can dry out when stored in the freezer.
Plan how many portions you need and follow the storage and preparation instructions for your chosen product.
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Selling unwrapped rolls without allergen information
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, customers must be given information about 14 allergens when unwrapped food is sold. This also applies when selling rolls at a festival.
Keep a record of the latest information for both the bread and its fillings, and make sure customers can access it before buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf as a wholegrain multigrain bread.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists 7,2 g of fibre and 0,6 g of salt per 100 g for this specific loaf.
- The product page marks this bread as discontinued. Don’t use this information as a guide to the label of another AH loaf.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s bread range includes dark multigrain bread and light multiseed bread.
- According to Jumbo, Boeren Donker Meergranen contains wholemeal wheat flour and sunflower seeds, while Boeren Licht Meerzaden is described as white multiseed bread.
- Check the label on the bread you buy: ‘multiseed’ and ‘multigrain’ are not the same product description.
PLUS Korenlanders / PLUS
PLUS lists wholegrain multigrain rolls and par-baked wholegrain multigrain baguettes.
- According to PLUS, the rolls reviewed can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. This can help when planning servings in advance.
- The baguettes need to be baked. For both formats, check the latest allergen information and preparation instructions.
Bakker van der Akker
Dirk lists a half loaf of multigrain bread from Bakker van der Akker.
- A half loaf is a separate pack size to consider if you don’t want to buy a whole loaf.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and any wholegrain label on the packaging before comparing it with other breads.
Lidl
Lidl’s bread range includes multigrain and wholegrain options.
- For packaged bread, Lidl provides a fibre indicator per 100 g, which lets you compare the stated fibre content.
- For fresh-from-the-oven bread, check the ingredients and allergen information for the option you choose, and see what’s available in store.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These rolls, baguettes and round loaves offer different ways to plan portions for a street festival. Check each pack to see whether the bread is wholegrain and which allergens it contains; the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t answer either question.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4-pack
Four individual rolls are handy when serving portions. Before buying them for the festival, check the pack for a wholegrain label, allergen information and storage instructions.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
Four individual baguettes are a good fit for planned serving if you have time to defrost them and access to an oven. Follow the preparation instructions, and check the pack for a wholegrain label and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This round loaf is a good fit if you want to slice your own portions. If baking it, allow time for defrosting, oven use and cooling. Check the pack for instructions, a wholegrain label and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
Two round loaves are a good fit if you’re planning to serve several loaves and slice them yourself. If baking them, allow time for defrosting and oven use. Check the instructions, wholegrain label and allergen information on each pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholegrain?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used; it doesn’t mean the bread is wholegrain. Look for an explicit wholegrain label and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
Is multigrain bread always made with iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum points out that bread made with iodised baker’s salt can be a source of iodine in the Netherlands, but not all bread is made with it. Check the ingredients of the bread you want to buy.
Can I simply choose multigrain bread if I need gluten-free bread?
No. Multigrain bread may contain cereals with gluten; the product name doesn’t guarantee that it’s gluten-free. Look for a clear gluten-free label on your chosen product and avoid contact with standard bread during preparation and serving.
How should I buy bread in advance for a street festival?
Choose rolls if you want individual portions with minimal slicing, or bake-at-home bread if you can plan for the preparation. Check the storage and preparation instructions for each product. According to PLUS, the wholegrain multigrain rolls it reviewed can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should then be used within one month.
What allergen information do I need if I sell unwrapped rolls?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, you must give customers information about 14 allergens when selling unwrapped food. Make sure the latest information for both the bread and its fillings is available before purchase.