Who is this choice relevant to?

Nursery teams choosing bread for everyday lunches

Want to be able to tell from the ingredients and nutritional information what grains the bread is made from, rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone.

Carers of children who are fussy about bread

Are looking for a way to try a different type of bread without assuming that white multigrain bread is the same as wholemeal bread, or that a child will eat it.

Nursery teams with allergen arrangements in place

Need to check the latest information about cereals containing gluten and other allergens against the arrangements for each child.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want bread made with wholemeal flour or would like to try a white version. Then check the label and the nursery’s arrangements for lunchtime.

Brown or wholemeal multigrain bread

When: If you’re looking for bread made with verifiable wholemeal flour and the child is happy with the texture.

Trade-off: A coarser texture or visible seeds may feel less familiar to some children, so try the exact variety first.

White multigrain bread

When: If you’d like to try a different type of bread for a fussy eater.

Trade-off: White multigrain bread may be made mainly with refined flour. Its name doesn’t prove that it has a wholemeal base, or predict whether the child will like it.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Grain base and fibre Check whether wholemeal flour appears in the ingredients list, and compare fibre per 100 g across different loaves. For everyday lunches, I want to know what grain base I’m choosing, not just what the bread is called. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Allergens and nursery arrangements Check the latest allergen information for the exact variety, including ‘may contain’ warnings, and review each child’s individual arrangements. When I pack bread for a group, it needs to meet the arrangements for every child. Allergen checks come first for around 29% of consumers.
Whether fussy eaters will accept it Try the texture with the child, and if you’re considering a white variety, check which flour appears first in the ingredients list. A sandwich isn’t much use to me if the child leaves it uneaten, so I want to try a new type first. Around 21% of consumers prioritise whether it will be accepted.
Quantity and buying Check the loaf size, availability and storage instructions at your local shop. For a small or changing group, I want to buy an amount that suits the lunch plan. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    Multigrain bread may be made mainly with refined flour. For example, Jumbo lists 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g for the white multigrain bread assessed, and 7,5 g per 100 g for a multigrain bread with wholemeal wheat flour as its first ingredient. These figures compare those two products; they don’t represent all white and wholemeal breads.

    Read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information for the breads you’re actually considering, always per 100 g.

  • Checking for gluten only

    Allergens vary by recipe. As well as cereals containing gluten, other ingredients or ‘may contain’ warnings may be relevant to the nursery group.

    Check the label on packaged bread, or ask for allergen information if the bread is unwrapped. Make sure your choice fits the arrangements for the children concerned.

  • Assuming a product page reflects what’s in stock locally

    The range of fresh bread can vary between shops, so a loaf you see online may not be available at your local branch.

    Check your chosen shop before buying, and have a suitable alternative ready.

    A changing range can take extra time if you have to assess a different loaf at the last minute.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodine

    The name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.

    If this matters when choosing bread, check the ingredients for the exact variety.

Brands to compare

Compare specific loaves within these ranges: the ingredients and nutritional values apply to the varieties listed, not to every loaf from a brand.

Albert Heijn

AH Whole Multigrain Hearth Bread is an example of a brown multigrain variety whose ingredients you can assess.

  • Albert Heijn lists 31% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour for this loaf.
  • Before use, check the latest label for ingredients and allergens; product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for both a white multigrain bread and a variety with wholemeal wheat flour as its first ingredient.

  • Jumbo lists 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g for the white loaf and 7,5 g per 100 g for the other variety mentioned.
  • Use these figures to compare the exact varieties, and check the latest label when buying.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain bread containing, among other ingredients, wheat, barley and buckwheat in its bread range.

  • These grains give you a starting point for checking the ingredients of the variety you choose.
  • Lidl says its range of oven-fresh bread can vary by branch. For your chosen loaf, also ask for the latest allergen information.

Aldi

Aldi lists Farmer’s Wholemeal Multigrain in its bread range.

  • This is a specific variety whose ingredients you can compare with those of other multigrain breads.
  • Check the label and allergen information for the loaf you’re taking home.

PLUS

PLUS Korenlanders Rustic Brown Multigrain Hearth Bread is a brown variety made with wholemeal wheat flour.

  • PLUS lists 25% wholemeal wheat flour and 5,6 g of fibre per 100 g for this loaf.
  • The product information lists cereals containing gluten and soya. Check the latest label and availability at your local shop.

Dirk

Under the Bakker van der Akker name, Dirk lists both multigrain and wholemeal multigrain varieties, including a half multigrain loaf.

  • A half loaf is a pack size worth comparing if the nursery needs fewer slices for each lunch.
  • Before serving this variety to the group, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you’ve chosen.

Multigrain rolls at Joybuy

This pack of four multigrain rolls is an option if individual portions are useful at lunchtime. Check the ingredients and allergens for the rolls themselves; choosing rolls doesn’t in itself mean they have a wholemeal base.

g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces

g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces

This pack of four rolls may suit a lunch where you’d like to serve individual portions.

Before serving, check the latest ingredients and allergen information, the nursery’s arrangements and whether the texture is suitable for the children.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?

No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread has a wholemeal base. Check which flours are listed in the ingredients and compare the fibre in specific loaves per 100 g.

Where can I find allergen information for bread served at nursery?

For packaged bread, allergen information is on the label; for unwrapped bread, ask for the available allergen information. Always check the exact loaf and make sure your choice fits the arrangements for the children eating it.

Can I assume multigrain breads contain the same allergens?

No. Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties. Even if you recognise the product name, check the latest information about cereals containing gluten, other allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings.

Does multigrain bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume it does based on the name of the bread. Check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.

How should I store bread for nursery lunches?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Buy an amount that suits your planned lunches and follow the nursery’s food safety procedures.