When choosing multigrain sourdough bread for a children's party, don't rely on the words ‘multigrain’ and ‘sourdough’ alone. Check whether the bread is wholemeal, and read the nutritional and allergen information for the variant you choose. Pre-sliced bread is easy to top, small rolls are handy to hand out, while part-baked bread needs time and oven space. If iodised salt matters to you, check the label too.
If bread is a big part of the party food, you’ll want to see which flours it contains and how much fibre it provides per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ does not in itself mean that bread is wholemeal.
When you’re catering for several children, it makes a difference whether you can top slices straight away, hand out individual rolls or need to bake the bread first.
If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the up-to-date allergen information for the exact bread you plan to serve. As well as gluten-containing cereals, multigrain sourdough bread may contain other relevant ingredients.
First decide which type of bread will work best for serving, then compare the flours, nutritional information and allergens for each variant.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check which flours are used. When comparing similar breads, compare the amount of fibre per 100 g. | If bread makes up a large part of the party food, I don’t want to rely on the name ‘multigrain’—I want to be able to check the ingredients. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portions and preparation | Check whether the bread is sliced, how many rolls are in the pack and whether it needs baking. | When several children are eating at once, I want to be able to serve portions without lots of last-minute slicing or baking. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this convenience when serving. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredient and allergen information. If you’re interested in the type of salt, look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know what this particular bread contains before serving it. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to the number of types of grain used, not whether the flour is wholemeal. So bread may also contain white flour.
Check the product description and ingredients list for ‘wholemeal’, and compare the fibre per 100 g in similar variants.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use iodised baker’s salt. The word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you whether it has been used.
For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’. For unwrapped bread, ask which type of salt has been used.
Ingredients vary from product to product. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list different grains and other allergens for their multigrain sourdough variants.
Check the latest allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen. If the bread is sold unwrapped, ask for product information before buying.
Part-baked bread still needs to go in the oven, following the product instructions. Pre-sliced bread can be topped straight away.
Choose part-baked bread if you have time and access to an oven just before serving. Otherwise, choose a type of bread that’s ready to top or hand out.
If you’re baking the bread, allow for the oven space and preparation time you’ll need.
AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden is an 800 g pre-sliced wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf.
Jumbo Desem Broodjes Meergranen is a pack of four part-baked rolls weighing 300 g in total, making it a handy option for individual portions.
Lidl lists a 600 g organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds.
PLUS lists products including Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen and multigrain sourdough products for baking at home.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Vloerbrood meergranen heel, a whole loaf made with grains and seeds.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t tell you whether the flour used is wholemeal. So check the product description and ingredients list for the bread you want to buy.
No. The word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t give you a full list of ingredients. Check the ingredients list for the variant you’ve chosen if, for example, you want to know which flours or other additions it contains.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use iodised baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for packaged bread, and ask which type of salt has been used if the bread is sold unwrapped.
Ask for the allergen information for the specific bread before you buy it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must also be available for unpackaged foods, so don’t rely on the name or appearance of the bread alone.
