When choosing a school lunch, don’t go by the name ‘multigrain’, the colour or visible seeds. Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging of the bread you choose. Then check the ingredients and allergens, and find out what rules the school follows. If your family relies partly on bread for iodine, also check whether the variety is made with iodised baker’s salt.
You’re looking for wholemeal bread for a school lunch and don’t want to rely on its dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’. In that case, ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging of the variety you choose is the first thing to look for.
You need to check that the bread’s ingredients are suitable for a child’s dietary requirements and comply with the school’s rules. Make sure you check the exact variety you’re packing.
Bread is a regular part of lunch, and you want to know whether the variety you’ve chosen is made with iodised baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt.
Start by checking for a wholemeal label on the bread you want to buy. Then check the allergens against the child’s needs and the school’s rules. Baker’s salt and the most practical bread shape are additional considerations for a packed lunch.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal or just multigrain | Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging of the exact variety. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, ‘multigrain’ on its own does not mean that all the grain ingredients are wholemeal. | If you’re looking for bread that is definitely wholemeal for lunch, you won’t want to have to rely on its colour or seeds. For around 36% of consumers, wholemeal status is the top priority. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and check the school’s rules. | If a child has dietary requirements, the bread you pack needs to meet those requirements and comply with the school’s rules. Around 29% of consumers put this check first. |
| Baker’s salt | Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the retailer. | If bread is a regular part of your family’s diet, you’ll want to know whether the variety you’ve chosen is made with iodised baker’s salt. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Bread shape and preparation | Consider whether a whole loaf or rolls are more practical for packing, and check any preparation and storage instructions. | If lunch needs to be ready on time, consider how much preparation the bread shape requires and whether the child likes its texture. For around 14% of consumers, practical use comes first. |
These features don’t tell you whether all the grain ingredients are wholemeal flour. For example, Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in its AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread for lunch, check the packaging for the word ‘wholemeal’.
Allergens vary from one bread variety to another. As well as cereals containing gluten, other ingredients or statements about possible traces may also be relevant.
Read the full allergen information on the packaging of the variety you choose, and check the child’s dietary requirements and the school’s rules.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. The name of the bread alone therefore doesn’t confirm which type of salt has been used.
Check the ingredients of the variety you’ve chosen if you want to know whether it contains iodised baker’s salt.
Albert Heijn points out that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change. If a child has dietary requirements, it’s important to check the current packaging.
Check the packaging of the exact variety again before packing the bread.
In its bread information, Albert Heijn distinguishes multigrain bread from bread explicitly labelled wholemeal.
Jumbo lists products including a wholemeal multigrain loaf and wholemeal multigrain rolls.
Lidl lists multigrain bread and fine wholemeal bread as separate products.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the term ‘wholemeal’ means that all the grain ingredients are wholemeal flour. Multigrain bread can also contain white flour, so check the packaging of the exact variety.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the bread you’ve chosen. Check which cereals containing gluten are listed and compare this information with the child’s dietary requirements and the school’s rules. Also look for any relevant statements about possible traces.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen, or ask the retailer if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
