If you’re looking for a regular bread option for canteen lunches and wholemeal is a purchasing requirement, choose a multigrain sourdough that is explicitly labelled as wholemeal. A smaller or par-baked loaf may be more practical for a smaller or changing lunch group, but check the serving size, ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for each variety: the words ‘multigrain’ and ‘sourdough’ don’t tell you all of this.
Needs a loaf whose wholemeal status, fibre per 100 g, portion size and ingredients can be checked. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to different types of grain; for a wholemeal option, you need to check the product description separately.
Needs to match the loaf size to the number of lunches and serving time. A large sliced loaf works well for preparing sandwiches in advance; a smaller, par-baked loaf may be a better fit for smaller batches.
Needs up-to-date ingredient and allergen information for every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for unpackaged foods must be available where they are offered.
First decide whether wholemeal is a requirement, then choose a size that suits how you serve it and check the allergen information for the exact variety before serving.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check whether the loaf is explicitly labelled as wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the loaf contains at least three types of grain; it does not mean that it is wholemeal. | Anyone looking for a regular lunch loaf with confirmed wholemeal status will also want to compare fibre values. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Size and serving | Compare the loaf’s weight, number of portions and storage or baking instructions. If the bread is baked in store, also check whether local collection fits the canteen’s schedule. | When lunch numbers vary, the person in charge of serving needs to be able to prepare suitable quantities of bread. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Allergen information | Check the allergens present in each recipe and which gluten-containing grains have been used. For unpackaged bread, make sure the information is available where it is offered, as required by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. | If staff report allergies, the canteen needs to be able to clearly state what each loaf contains. This is the main purchasing concern for an estimated 30% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you how many types of grain have been used. On its own, the term does not confirm that the loaf is wholemeal.
If necessary, make wholemeal a separate purchasing requirement and check the product description and ingredients list.
The term ‘sourdough’ does not tell you how much fibre or salt a loaf contains, which allergens it includes or whether it is wholemeal.
Compare the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact variety, as well as its size and how it can be ordered.
For unpackaged bread, information about the allergens present must be available where the product is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. The grains used and other allergens may vary between recipes.
Record the current allergen information for each product before serving and update it if the recipe changes.
Jumbo says its sourdough loaves baked in store cannot be ordered online. This may matter if the canteen needs bread at set times.
Contact the store in advance to ask about collection, the range and product information.
AH OerDesem dark multigrain, whole loaf, sliced is an 800 g wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf.
Jumbo lists a brown multigrain variety in its sourdough range.
Lidl lists a 600 g organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf, described as organic brown multigrain sourdough with seeds.
Aldi stocks sliced wholemeal multigrain bread.
PLUS Korenlanders Kleintje brown multigrain sourdough is a 300 g par-baked loaf.
Dirk stocks bread in its multigrain and sourdough categories, including a multigrain artisan loaf.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain; this does not in itself mean that the bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients list to confirm.
No. Sourdough describes how the bread is made, not whether it is wholemeal. Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety.
For unpackaged bread, information about the allergens present must be available where it is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Also check which specific gluten-containing grains are used in each variety.
Don’t assume so. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt; this does not mean that every variety contains this salt. Check the ingredients list for the loaf you choose.
