Choose a premium multigrain bread with sourdough or a rustic character for a special breakfast or lunch around the start of term. For everyday packed lunches, an explicit wholemeal label is a more reliable selection guide than the name ‘multigrain’ alone. Before packing bread for a school lunch, always check the allergen information for that specific bread and the school or class rules.
If an allergen needs to be avoided, the latest information about the bread you choose matters more than its product name. Also check the school or class rules on bringing in and sharing food. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains where to find allergen information on packaged bread; ask about it before buying unpackaged bread.
A dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multigrain’ do not confirm that bread is wholemeal. Check the bread’s description and ingredients, and compare nutritional information, such as fibre, on the same per-100 g basis.
Sourdough or rustic multigrain bread may suit the flavour and crust you want for breakfast or a family lunch. Separately consider whether the preparation method, portion size and allergen information are also suitable for a school lunch, if needed.
First decide whether the bread is for a special occasion or for regular school lunches. Then check the wholemeal labelling, allergens and any preparation needed for the option you choose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Especially relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | For packaged bread, read the latest label; for unpackaged bread, ask about allergens before buying. Check the school or class rules. | If I’m packing bread for school and need to avoid an allergen, I want to know exactly what’s in this bread and whether it can be brought in. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre content of different breads per 100 g, rather than judging by colour or seeds. | For regular lunches, I want to know whether my multigrain bread is actually wholemeal. This is the main selection question for around 27% of consumers. |
| Flavour and occasion | Choose the type of bread to suit the occasion; for sourdough or rustic bread, also check the ingredients and preparation method. | For a special breakfast or family lunch, flavour and crust matter more to me than a regular packed-lunch routine. Around 20% of consumers give this occasion priority. |
| Portions and preparation | Check whether the bread is whole, half or sliced, and look for any instructions on defrosting or baking. | On busy school days, I want to use only the bread we need, without overlooking a baking step. This convenience matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
According to the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre), ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain are used; it does not automatically mean that the whole grain is used. Colour and visible seeds do not confirm that bread is wholemeal either.
Look for an explicit ‘wholemeal’ label, then check the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread.
Even bread labelled gluten-free may contain other allergens. For example, PLUS lists soya and possible traces of lupin, mustard and sesame for Schär Glutenvrije Meesterbakker Mehrkorn.
Check the current packaging or ask about allergen information for unpackaged bread. Also make sure a school lunch complies with the school or class rules.
The preparation method or organic label alone does not tell you whether multigrain bread is wholemeal, which allergens it contains or what type of salt has been used.
Choose bread to suit the occasion, and check the label, ingredients list and nutritional information for the specific option if you have other priorities.
A whole loaf is not always practical if you only need small portions during the first few weeks of term.
Consider buying half a loaf or freezing portions as soon as you get home. The Voedingscentrum advises taking only the amount you need out of the freezer.
Alongside standard multigrain bread, it also offers multigrain options in its Liefde & Passie and OerDesem ranges.
Its range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen and Stevig Meergranen.
It offers both wholemeal multigrain bread and a separate multigrain option labelled gluten-free.
It offers Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half as an option for breakfast or lunch.
It offers a 600 g Bio rustiek meergranen desembrood for anyone specifically looking for an organic sourdough product.
It offers Boeren volkoren meergranen half as sliced bread for everyday use.
The two Lekhaven Bakkerij breads are suited to a planned occasion where defrosting and baking are practical. The four individual g'woon rolls are another option for portioned lunches; their name alone does not indicate whether they are wholemeal. Check the latest allergen information for all three products before packing bread for school.
No image available
For a meal where you want to bake individual baguettes. The pack contains four 135 g baguettes; they need to be defrosted. The product information lists wheat and sesame. Check the latest allergen information and follow the baking instructions on the packaging.
No image available
A 550 g round multigrain loaf for a meal where you can plan time to defrost and bake it, then let it cool before slicing. The product information lists wheat and sesame; check the latest allergen information and the baking instructions on the packaging. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone.
No image available
Four individual multigrain rolls for anyone who wants to portion out lunches separately. The product information lists cereals containing gluten and sesame; check the latest packaging and school rules if allergens are a consideration. If wholemeal is important to your everyday choice, check for an explicit wholemeal label separately.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre), ‘multigrain’ means bread made with at least three different types of grain; it does not mean that the whole grain has been used. Look for an explicit wholemeal label if that’s one of your selection criteria.
No. Check the allergen information for the specific bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that cereals containing gluten must be listed on the label; don’t assume bread is suitable for a gluten-restricted diet based on the words ‘multigrain’ or ‘premium’.
Before buying, ask the bakery or fresh food counter for the allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen. For prepacked bread, this information should be on the label. If you need it to make your choice, also ask about relevant information on possible cross-contamination.
No. The words ‘premium’, ‘sourdough’ or ‘multigrain’ don’t tell you what type of salt the bread contains. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt if this is important to your purchase.
Freeze any bread you won’t use straight away in portions as soon as you buy it, and take out what you need for the day, as the Voedingscentrum advises. For a sealed pack, also follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the label.
