Who are these options for?

Label-conscious sourdough shopper

You’re looking for bread that lists sourdough in its ingredients and want to know whether baker’s yeast has been used as well. Read both the product name and the full ingredients list.

Wholemeal and fibre seeker

You want to compare whether a loaf is wholemeal and check its nutritional value. Visible seeds or a dark colour don’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal; check the product name and fibre per 100 g.

Online grocery shopper

You want the bread to fit in with your order. It makes a difference whether you can eat a sliced whole loaf straight away or need to bake a packaged product at home.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether the specific bread can be delivered to you. Then compare the type of bread, ingredients and preparation method. The in-store range and the online part-baked range aren’t necessarily the same.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sourdough and baker’s yeast Read the product name and ingredients list. Does it contain baker’s yeast as well as sourdough? If you want bread leavened exclusively with sourdough, the name alone isn’t enough to help you choose. This sourdough requirement is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Wholemeal and ingredients Check the wholemeal designation, fibre and salt per 100 g, and the allergen information. If you’re mainly looking for verifiable information about the flour and ingredients, seeds on the crust won’t tell you what you need to know. Around 33% of consumers give this label information top priority.
Delivery and type of bread Check the ordering options for your address and distinguish whole loaves from products you bake at home. If you want your groceries delivered, the specific type of bread you want must be available to add to your order. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this combination of delivery and type of bread.
Quantity and storage Compare the pack size and read the storage and baking instructions. If you eat bread at different times, choose an amount you can store and prepare as planned. This is the main consideration for around 13% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain refers to the types of grain used, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So multigrain bread isn’t automatically wholemeal.

    Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Assuming sourdough bread doesn’t contain baker’s yeast

    The multigrain products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list both sourdough and baker’s yeast. This distinction matters if you want bread leavened exclusively with sourdough.

    Check the full ingredients list for the product you’re ordering, even if sourdough appears in its name.

  • Assuming an in-store loaf can be delivered

    Jumbo distinguishes between its online part-baked products and the rustic sourdough loaves baked in its stores, which aren’t available to order online. Lidl says the rustic loaf we looked at is only available in store; ALDI directs shoppers to its stores for the multigrain bread we checked, and Dirk doesn’t offer a delivery service.

    Check the ordering options for the specific product and your address before relying on delivery. If you choose an in-store option, be prepared to visit a shop.

  • Not checking the online product information again

    PLUS warns that product information, including ingredients and allergen details, can change. This is particularly important if you choose bread for a specific combination of ingredients.

    Use the product page to make your choice, then check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging when your order arrives.

Supermarkets worth comparing

These supermarkets don’t all offer the same way to shop. Compare an online product with the information for that exact product, rather than with a similar loaf from the in-store range.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH OerDesem dark multigrain as an online product: a whole, sliced loaf weighing 800 g.

  • The product information lists 44% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.6 g of fibre per 100 g. Albert Heijn says the bread can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
  • As well as 7.1% wholemeal wheat sourdough, the ingredients include baker’s yeast and cereals containing gluten.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers packaged multigrain rolls and a sourdough baguette online, ready to bake at home.

  • For the part-baked rolls we looked at, Jumbo lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour, along with storage and preparation information.
  • The rolls also contain yeast and list sesame as an allergen. Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves, baked in store, aren’t available to order online.

PLUS

PLUS lists Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit as a whole loaf and also offers part-baked multigrain sourdough rolls.

  • For the Boekweit product we looked at, PLUS offers home delivery or collection, alongside ingredient and nutritional information.
  • This product isn’t labelled as wholemeal and contains both sourdough and baker’s yeast. Check the packaging when your order arrives for the latest information.

Lidl

Lidl lists a rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with kernels and seeds as an in-store product.

  • The product page describes the version we looked at as white multigrain sourdough bread.
  • Lidl marks this loaf as ‘In store only’. Check the ingredients and allergens on the in-store product separately.

ALDI

ALDI lists boeren volkoren meergranenbrood as a product to buy in store.

  • The product name specifies that the bread is wholemeal and multigrain.
  • The relevant page doesn’t confirm that this bread contains sourdough and directs shoppers to an ALDI store to buy it.

Dirk

Dirk lists a multigrain bakery loaf for shoppers who buy their groceries in store.

  • The product page we looked at describes a loaf made with grains and seeds.
  • Dirk doesn’t offer a delivery service. The product information doesn’t confirm that this bakery loaf is made with sourdough.

Multigrain baguettes to bake at home

This selection features individually portioned multigrain baguettes for baking at home. Check whether delivery is available to your address, and read the packaging if you’re specifically looking for sourdough bread.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g

An option if you’d like four individually portioned multigrain baguettes to bake at home.

If the raising agents used affect your choice, check the ingredients for sourdough and yeast. Follow the packaging instructions for storage and baking.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Multigrain and wholemeal describe different things. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Check the product name and ingredients rather than judging by the colour or visible seeds.

Does sourdough on the packaging mean there’s no baker’s yeast?

No. Sourdough bread can also contain baker’s yeast. The online multigrain products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list both ingredients. Check the ingredients list if you require bread leavened exclusively with sourdough.

Does bread in the Netherlands have to contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Dutch baking industry, there’s no legal requirement to use iodised baker’s salt. For a specific pre-packed loaf, check the ingredients list to see which type of salt it contains; don’t rely on the name of the bread alone.

Which allergens should I check in multigrain sourdough bread?

Check the allergen information for the specific bread, as ingredients vary from product to product. The examples we looked at list cereals containing gluten, and the Jumbo rolls also list sesame. Check the packaging again when your order arrives, including any ‘may contain’ statements.

How do I choose between a whole loaf and part-baked rolls?

Choose the option that suits how much bread you use and how you want to prepare it. Albert Heijn says the whole loaf we looked at can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; part-baked rolls need to be prepared when you want to eat them. Check the specific storage and preparation instructions for both.