Fibre-conscious buyer
You want to check whether a loaf is wholemeal and compare fibre levels, without relying on its colour or a multigrain label.
Who are these options relevant to?
Organiser handing out portions
You want to portion the bread in advance and take it with you, with as little slicing as possible at the event. You also want to be able to store portions of any bread you’ll need later.
Buyer catering for visitors with allergies
You need to check the ingredients and allergens in every loaf you choose, and have that information available when handing out the bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether wholemeal is a must for your choice. Then compare the bread formats for serving, and check the allergen information for the exact product before you buy.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and compare the fibre per 100 g in similar breads. | If I want to consider fibre, I need to know whether a multigrain loaf is also wholemeal. Around 40% of consumers say this check is their top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Compare a loaf you can portion yourself with individual rolls; also read the storage and freezing advice. | When handing out bread, I want to prepare portions without having to do lots of slicing on the spot or leave bread unwrapped for too long. Around 30% of consumers put ease of serving first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current label for the allergens in the bread and for any ‘may contain’ statement. | If I’m buying for visitors with different allergies, I need to be able to point out the ingredients to watch for in each loaf. This is also the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain. That doesn’t necessarily mean the flour is wholemeal; a dark colour or visible seeds don’t prove it either.
If wholemeal is what you’re looking for, choose a product explicitly labelled wholemeal, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming rolls are allergen-free
A roll that’s easy to hand out may still contain several allergens. PLUS lists cereals containing gluten, soya, milk and sesame, among other ingredients, in its Korenlanders Wholemeal Multigrain Rolls.
Check the label on the product you’re actually buying and keep the information available when serving it. If someone needs to avoid an allergen, choose a separate option only after you’ve checked it’s suitable for them.
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Laying out all the bread at once
Bread you won’t need until later doesn’t have to be left out for the entire serving period. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions straight after purchase if you plan to freeze it.
Prepare the amount you expect to hand out in advance, and store any extra bread according to the instructions on the packaging.
Relevant brands and shops to compare
The bread varieties below show the labels and packaging formats you can compare. Always assess the nutritional information and allergens for each individual product.
Albert Heijn
Provides information about wholemeal bread and features wholemeal options in its bread range.
- Albert Heijn explains that bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’ when all the flour used is wholemeal.
- For any specific loaf, still check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
Jumbo
Its range includes Boeren Donker Wholemeal Multigrain, sold as a half loaf.
- For this specific half loaf, Jumbo lists 8,0 g of fibre and 0,98 g of salt per 100 g, along with ingredient and allergen information.
- Don’t use these figures as the nutritional information for other Jumbo multigrain breads.
Lidl
Its in-store bakery range includes both wholemeal and multigrain bread.
- You can compare different bread formats when planning portions for the event.
- Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store, so compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you choose.
ALDI
Offers Boeren Wholemeal Multigrain as a full loaf.
- The product name makes both the wholemeal label and the bread format clear.
- If you’re choosing based on fibre or allergens, check the information on the current packaging.
PLUS
Its range includes Korenlanders Wholemeal Multigrain Rolls, sold in a pack of four.
- PLUS lists 7,8 g of fibre per 100 g for these rolls and provides ingredient and allergen information.
- According to PLUS, these rolls contain cereals containing gluten, soya, milk and sesame, among other ingredients; check the label when buying.
Dirk
Its range includes Multikorn wholemeal bread and multigrain rolls from Bakker van der Akker.
- The different bread formats give you options to compare when planning portions.
- Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the label of the variety you choose.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options are suited to taking bread to the festival or preparing it in advance. Compare them by portion size and preparation, and don’t rely on a wholemeal label alone if you’re specifically looking for multigrain bread.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread option if you want to hand out bread without baking it on site. Check the packaging for allergens and whether the breads are individually wrapped; the name Whole Wheat doesn’t confirm that this is multigrain bread.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
The pack of two loaves could work well if you’re preparing more portions. Allow time for thawing, baking, cooling and slicing. Compare the allergens on the label, and check separately whether the bread is also multigrain.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
This single-loaf option may suit you if you need less bread than you’d get in the pack of two. You’ll still need to allow time for thawing, baking, cooling and slicing. Check the allergens and, if it matters to your choice, how many types of grain are used.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, the term multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean the flour is wholemeal. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and read the ingredients list.
How can I store bread in advance for the festival?
According to the Voedingscentrum, you can freeze bread in portions straight after purchase if you’ll need it later. Also follow the date and storage or preparation instructions on the packaging for the product you choose.
Which allergens should I check when handing out bread?
Check the allergens in each loaf individually. Products in this category may contain cereals containing gluten and, depending on the recipe, ingredients such as sesame, soya or milk. Check both the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current packaging.
Does baker’s salt mean that all bread contains iodine?
No, don’t assume that every loaf contains the same ingredients. Check the product information or ask the manufacturer which salt is used in the bread if iodine content matters to your purchase.