There’s no premium multigrain bread that suits every food allergy. Start by checking the ingredients and warnings for the allergens you need to avoid, rather than relying on words such as ‘sourdough’ or ‘organic’. Bread labelled specifically as gluten-free may be an option if you need to avoid gluten, but you should also check for other allergens and possible cross-contamination. Only compare flavour, fibre and whether iodised baker’s salt has been used once the bread meets your avoidance requirements.
The grains used and any risk of cross-contamination are key considerations. Standard multigrain bread or sourdough isn’t automatically gluten-free. Check for a specific gluten-free label, the ingredients and any warnings on the label; if you have a wheat allergy, check specifically for wheat too.
If you need to avoid sesame, soya, milk, egg or nuts, for example, the name ‘multigrain’ alone tells you very little. For each individual loaf, compare the ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination, with your avoidance requirements.
Once a loaf meets your allergy requirements, you can compare the grains, seeds and fibre per 100 g. If iodine information matters to your choice of bread, check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Start with the allergen that would rule out a purchase for you. Only then compare the features of loaves that meet your avoidance requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and wheat | Check for a gluten-free label, the grains listed and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. If you have a wheat allergy, check the wheat information separately too. | If I need to avoid gluten or wheat, I don’t want to rely on the name of the bread. Around 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Other allergens | Compare the current ingredients and allergen information with your avoidance requirements. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the information before you buy. | If I’m allergic to something like sesame or soya, I need to know what’s in this particular loaf. For around 30% of consumers, another allergen is their main concern. |
| Flavour, fibre and iodine | Once you’ve checked the allergens, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. Check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. | When a loaf meets my avoidance requirements, I want to choose based on flavour and nutritional information. Around 20% of consumers put this consideration first. |
These words describe the bread, but they don’t mean that it’s free from ingredients such as gluten, sesame or soya. Jumbo Stevig Meergranen’s product information lists wheat, barley, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.
Use the bread’s name to find products, but make your decision based on the current ingredients, allergen information and any warnings.
The ingredients in a loaf can change. Albert Heijn points out in its product information that ingredient and allergy information may be updated regularly.
Check the label on the pack you receive every time you buy, even if you know the bread already.
A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergens or warnings of possible cross-contamination.
Compare the full ingredients and allergen information with everything you need to avoid.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is a source of iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use this salt.
Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used for this bread if it affects your choice.
A retailer’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular loaf contains. Always check the information for the exact product.
Online product information can help you check the details of a specific multigrain loaf before buying.
Jumbo Stevig Meergranen’s product information gives you a useful starting point for checking allergens.
PLUS lists both standard multigrain loaves and Schär Glutenvrije Meesterbakker Mehrkorn in its product information.
Search results for multigrain bread include both standard products and gluten-free Schär products.
Lidl lists an organic multigrain sourdough loaf, among other products, and directs shoppers to ingredient and allergen information for its in-store bakery bread.
ALDI lists products including luxe vloerbrood meergranen and boeren volkoren meergranen.
These round multigrain loaves are designed to be baked at home. If you need to avoid wheat, gluten or sesame, these products aren’t suitable for you. For other allergens, check the current packaging and any warnings before deciding.
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For anyone who wants to bake multigrain bread at home and doesn’t need to avoid wheat, gluten or sesame.
The product name specifies two loaves weighing 550 g each. Before buying, check the current allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to bake one round multigrain loaf at home and doesn’t need to avoid wheat, gluten or sesame.
The product name specifies 550 g. Before buying, check the current allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t mean gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wheat, spelt, rye and barley are among the grains that contain gluten. If you need to avoid gluten, look for a specific gluten-free label and check the ingredients too.
Ask for the allergen information for the specific loaf before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that consumers must also be given allergen information for unpackaged products. If relevant to you, ask about possible cross-contamination too.
It’s a warning about possible cross-contamination, not confirmation that the named allergen is absent. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that new rules came into force in the Netherlands on 1 January 2026, covering when and how these warnings are used. Consider any warning in light of the advice you’ve been given about what to avoid.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used for the loaf you’ve chosen.
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about all the other allergens. Check for ingredients such as sesame or soya and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. If you have a wheat allergy, check the wheat information specifically.
