Don’t choose multigrain bread based on its name alone: check the current ingredients and allergen information first. If you’re also looking for wholemeal bread, check that the loaf you choose is labelled as wholemeal. If you need to avoid gluten, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check for other allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination too.
For every loaf, you need to check which allergens it contains and whether there are any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available before purchase, including for unpackaged bread.
You want to know not only whether the bread contains different grains, but also whether it’s genuinely wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that bread contains at least three types of grain; the name alone doesn’t mean it’s wholemeal.
You’re looking for multigrain bread that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free, but you’ll still need to check the other ingredients. For example, PLUS’s product information for a Schär multigrain loaf lists soya and possible traces of lupin, sesame and mustard.
Start with the allergens you need to avoid, then decide whether you need the bread to be labelled wholemeal or explicitly gluten-free.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Compare the current ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings with the allergens you need to avoid. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to know what’s in this particular loaf and which warnings apply. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check whether the loaf you’re choosing is labelled wholemeal. Compare the stated fibre content on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. | For my household, I’m looking for bread that’s actually labelled wholemeal, not just multigrain. Around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal. |
| Gluten-free and other allergens | If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit gluten-free label, then check the ingredients and warnings for other allergens too. | If I need to avoid gluten, I first need a product that’s explicitly gluten-free, even if I then need to rule out other allergens as well. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain; that doesn’t automatically mean it’s made with wholemeal flour.
Check whether the specific loaf is labelled wholemeal, then look at the nutritional information and allergens.
Gluten-free bread can contain other allergens. PLUS lists soya and possible traces of lupin, sesame and mustard for a Schär multigrain loaf.
Each time you buy, compare both the ingredients and the warnings with the allergens you need to avoid.
Ingredients and allergen information can change; Albert Heijn and PLUS also point this out in their product information.
Use online information to compare loaves, but check the current packaging. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
The product page for AH Waldkorn Authentic is a useful starting point for checking the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for that loaf.
The product information for Jumbo Wholemeal Multigrain Bread shows which details you can compare for a standard wholemeal multigrain loaf.
Lidl publishes a list of ingredients and allergens for its freshly baked bread.
Aldi describes Boeren volkoren meergranen heel as a loaf with grains and seeds, available to buy in store.
PLUS provides product information for both a standard wholemeal multigrain loaf and a gluten-free multigrain variety.
Dirk’s search results distinguish between standard, wholemeal and gluten-free multigrain products.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but that doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. Check that the loaf you choose is labelled wholemeal, and if you have a food allergy, read the current allergen information too.
Ask for allergen information for the specific loaf before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available before purchase for unpackaged food too.
No. Gluten-free multigrain bread may contain other allergens or carry a ‘may contain’ warning. PLUS lists soya and possible traces of lupin, sesame and mustard for a Schär multigrain loaf; check the current information for the bread you choose.
Don’t assume so: check the salt listed in the ingredients for the loaf you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also lists multigrain bread without baker’s salt.
