For everyday canteen lunches, choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ if you need a wholemeal base. Then check that the exact variant is sliced to your preferred thickness and is suitable for the fillings you have planned: ‘sliced’ does not automatically mean ‘medium-sliced’.
For buyers who want to offer bread with a verifiable wholemeal base every day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’, so check the labelling and ingredients of your chosen variant.
For teams who want to use pre-sliced bread during lunch service. Check a loaf from the intended store to see whether its slice thickness and firmness suit the fillings and serving process.
For buyers who need to record the ingredients and allergens in every type of bread they serve. Use the information for the exact variant and check it again whenever the recipe or supplier changes.
Decide which need matters most for everyday lunches in your university canteen. Then check the bread itself: a wholemeal claim, a practical slice and suitable labelling each answer a different question.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ claim on the exact variant and compare fibre content on the same basis, per 100 g. | If I want to offer a wholemeal option every day, I need to be able to identify the type of bread and compare its nutritional information. This would be the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Slice and serving | Check a sample loaf for slice thickness and suitability with your planned fillings; ‘sliced’, ‘whole’ and ‘half’ do not indicate slice thickness. | During a busy lunch period, I want to be able to prepare sandwiches without slices that are too thin or too thick making the job harder. A practical slice would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the specific variant; ask for additional product information if your menu requires it. | When I serve bread to different guests, I need to know which information applies to that exact loaf. This check would be the main purchasing priority for around 18% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with different types of grain; the term alone does not mean the bread is wholemeal. You could therefore buy a different type of bread from the one intended for your lunch menu.
First check whether the exact variant is labelled ‘wholemeal’, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
A ‘sliced’ label does not tell you whether the slices are the thickness you want. You can only tell by checking the specific variant.
Ask for a sample loaf from the intended store and try it with the fillings and serving method used in your canteen.
Recipes and allergen information apply to a specific bread variant, not to the general term ‘multigrain bread’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the allergen information on the label.
Record the current information for the variant you use, and check it again if the recipe or supplier changes.
Lidl says that its fresh bread range can vary by store. A product shown online may therefore not be the variant your canteen can buy locally.
Before arranging a regular order, confirm with the intended store or supplier which loaf formats and slicing options are available.
Albert Heijn lists AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen as sliced bread, alongside other multigrain options.
Jumbo lists options including Stevig Meergranen, a wholemeal multigrain loaf sold whole, and a half-size wholemeal multigrain variant.
Lidl describes a fresh bread range that may vary by store.
Aldi lists Boeren volkoren meergranen in a half-size format; the product information describes this type of bread as sliced.
Plus lists PLUS Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel as a whole, sliced loaf.
Dirk lists multigrain breads in a range of formats, including half and whole loaves.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made from different types of grain, but the name does not guarantee a wholemeal base. Check that your chosen bread variant is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
No. ‘Sliced’ confirms that the bread is sold in slices, not how thick they are. Ask your intended store about the slicing options or try a sample loaf with the fillings your canteen plans to use.
Use the current allergen information for every exact bread variant you serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. Do not rely on the bread’s name, and check the information again if the product changes.
No, the name ‘multigrain bread’ does not tell you that. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that any iodine compounds in bread come solely from added baker’s salt. Ask your supplier for product-specific information if the ingredients matter for your canteen menu.
