Who is this choice relevant to?

Snack makers who want to cut thick slices themselves

You want to make topped bread snacks for the Sinterklaas procession and choose how thick the slices are. Check whether a loaf sold as ‘whole’ is also unsliced.

Shoppers comparing wholemeal flour and fibre

You look beyond the name ‘multigrain’ and compare the ingredients and fibre content per 100 g.

Shoppers with questions about allergens or baker’s salt

You need to know which grains and other allergens the bread contains, or want to check whether baker’s salt has been used. The information for the exact product is what matters here.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to cut the slices yourself. Then compare loaves that meet this requirement by looking at their ingredients and label information.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Cutting thick slices yourself Check whether the loaf is unsliced. If it is pre-sliced, ask how thick the slices are. If I want to pile plenty of toppings onto a bread snack, I want to choose the slice thickness myself. An estimated 44% of consumers put control over slice thickness first.
Wholemeal flour and fibre Read the ingredients and compare fibre on the same basis: per 100 g. The name ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough for me when I’m comparing loaves for wholemeal flour and fibre. An estimated 33% of consumers say this is their first consideration.
Allergens and baker’s salt Check the latest ingredients and allergen information. If you have questions about iodine, check whether baker’s salt has been used. If an ingredient or allergen is a deciding factor for me, I read the label on the exact loaf before choosing. An estimated 23% of consumers give this product information priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘pre-sliced’ means ‘thickly sliced’

    ALDI describes its luxury multigrain hearth loaf as pre-sliced. That doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is, even though this is important if you want to put together substantial snack slices yourself.

    Check the slice thickness or choose a loaf that you can confirm is suitable for cutting yourself.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it has been used just from the type of bread.

    Check the label or ask the baker if this is relevant to your choice.

  • Using ‘multigrain’ as a measure of fibre

    The name doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre a particular loaf contains. Two multigrain loaves can differ in these respects too.

    Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    Multigrain bread may contain different gluten-containing grains or seeds. Ingredients and possible traces vary from product to product.

    Check the latest allergen information for the loaf you choose every time you buy it.

Relevant retailers to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH OerDesem dark multigrain, among other products, as a whole sliced loaf.

  • A specific multigrain option to compare by loaf style.
  • ‘Whole sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers wholemeal multigrain bread, among other products, with information about ingredients and nutritional value.

  • The product information lets you compare ingredients and fibre.
  • Check the slice thickness separately if you’re looking for thick snack slices.

PLUS

PLUS describes Korenlanders Dark Hearth Whole as a light multigrain bread.

  • The loaf style and product information give you useful points to consider when choosing.
  • ‘Whole’ doesn’t confirm that you can cut thick slices yourself.

Dirk

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker whole multigrain hearth bread as firm and packed with grains and seeds.

  • The description makes this a loaf worth looking at more closely for its suitability for slicing.
  • The shop description isn’t a measure of firmness or slice thickness.

ALDI

ALDI describes its luxury multigrain hearth loaf as pre-sliced.

  • Pre-sliced bread saves time when preparing snacks.
  • Check the slices yourself if you need a particular thickness.

Lidl

Lidl provides an ingredients and allergen overview for its oven-fresh bread range.

  • The overview helps you check ingredients and allergens.
  • For thick snack slices, also check the style of the loaf you want to buy.

Multigrain bread on Joybuy

These two multigrain products may be suitable if you want to slice the bread yourself after preparing it. Before buying, check whether they are supplied unsliced and whether the shape suits the slices you want to make.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Consider this round loaf if you want to cut your own slices for topped snacks; check whether it is supplied unsliced. The product instructions say to defrost, bake and leave to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. If you have questions about allergens or baker’s salt, check the latest packaging.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

These multigrain baguettes are an option if you want to cut your own slices from a baguette; check that it is wide enough for your toppings. The pack contains 4 baguettes weighing 135 g each. Allow time to defrost and bake, and check the latest packaging for allergen and baker’s salt information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal bread?

No, ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing. Compare the product description and ingredients of the loaf you want to buy. Jumbo describes its Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen as wholemeal multigrain bread, while PLUS calls its Korenlanders Dark Hearth Whole brown wheat bread.

Does all Dutch bread have to contain baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker if you want to know whether it has been used in a particular loaf.

How do I check for allergens in multigrain bread?

Read the latest allergen information for the exact product, including any statements about traces. Don’t rely on the name of the bread alone: the grains, seeds and other ingredients used can vary from loaf to loaf.

How should I store bread for the Sinterklaas procession?

Follow the storage advice for the bread you choose. Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing the products discussed in a cool, dry and dark place. PLUS also says its Korenlanders hearth loaf can be frozen.