Office buyers who want to open small portions
For shared lunches, the way a pack is divided up can matter more than its total weight. Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast naturel 240 g as containing 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast.
Who is this relevant to?
Teams comparing nutritional values
If you serve toast regularly at lunch, you can compare the fibre and salt content per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal as containing 9,7 g of fibre and 1,9 g of salt per 100 g.
Buyers who need to check allergens
For a team with different dietary needs, the label on the exact pack is what matters. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists ingredients including wheat, barley, soya and sesame in the toast varieties discussed.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out how much toast the team gets through at each lunch and how many packs you’ll need to open. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of varieties with suitable packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and supplies | Compare the total weight with the number of inner packs. According to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast naturel contains 240 g, divided into 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast. | If the number of people at lunch varies, I want to open only what we need that day. Around 50% of consumers give portion sizes and managing supplies top priority. |
| Fibre and salt | Compare both values per 100 g and think about how much toast is usually eaten. Albert Heijn lists Van der Meulen wholemeal as containing 9,7 g of fibre and 1,9 g of salt per 100 g. | For a regular lunch, I want to weigh up the nutritional value of the toast against the rest of the meal. For around 30% of consumers, fibre and salt come first. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Read the allergen information on the exact pack. Also check whether plain or seasoned toast will go with the toppings. Look for baker’s salt in the ingredients if iodine is relevant to your choice. | When several colleagues share the same supplies, I want to know whether the variety suits their dietary requirements and goes with the toppings. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a large pack contains individual portions
A 240 g pack doesn’t tell you how much toast you’ll need to open at once. Albert Heijn does list AH Melba toast naturel as being divided into 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast.
If your team is small or its numbers vary, check how the pack is divided inside and choose a size that suits how much you use.
If an opened pack isn’t used up, it could go to waste.
-
Looking only at fibre in wholemeal toast
Albert Heijn lists Van der Meulen Melba toast wholemeal as containing 9,7 g of fibre, but also 1,9 g of salt per 100 g. Both values matter if toast is a regular feature on the table.
Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, per 100 g, and take the toppings into account too.
-
Assuming plain toast is allergen-free
A mild flavour tells you nothing about allergens. The product information discussed here includes ingredients such as wheat, barley, soya and sesame.
Check your team’s needs against the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you actually buy.
If you only spot a mismatch after buying, some of your supplies may not be suitable for the team.
-
Assuming the product contains iodine because of its category
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. So toast doesn’t automatically contain baker’s salt just because it’s a baked product.
If baker’s salt is important to your purchase, check the ingredients list of the toast you choose.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Melba toast naturel is an example of a large pack with a stated number of inner packs.
- Albert Heijn lists 240 g, divided into 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast, and provides nutritional information per 100 g.
- The product information lists cereals containing gluten and soya. Check the current label for allergens and any recipe changes.
Van der Meulen
The wholemeal melba toast discussed here offers another option in the same product category if you want to compare nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn lists this variety as containing 9,7 g of fibre per 100 g, in 6 packs of 6 pieces of toast.
- The pack contains 120 g, not 240 g. Also check the label for the allergens listed, including sesame.
Sun Snacks
ALDI Netherlands lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- The stated total weight makes it possible to compare this with other 240 g packs.
- Check the pack to see how many inner packs it contains and which ingredients and nutritional values apply to this variety.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists 240 g Melba toast as a store product.
- The listed variety has a total weight of 240 g.
- In store, check how the pack is divided inside, as well as the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack you choose.
LU
LU Mini Crackers Naturel are an alternative if you’re looking for crackers in small packs rather than melba toast.
- Albert Heijn lists the 250 g pack as containing 8 packs, each with 5 duo crackers.
- These are crackers, not melba toast. The product information lists wheat and barley, and states that the product may contain milk.
Products for your lunch cupboard
These products offer two different options for an office lunch: a pack of mini crackers as an alternative to toast, and a larger pack of melba toast. For both, check the current packaging if the inner portions or allergens are important to you.
Image unavailable
LU Mini Cracker Natural 250 g
An option for shared lunch supplies if crackers are suitable too; this isn’t melba toast.
The pack contains 250 g. Check how it’s divided inside and the allergens listed on the label of the pack you choose.
Image unavailable
Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
Melba toast for anyone looking for a larger shared supply. Check how many inner packs there are if you want to open only some of them at a time.
The pack contains 240 g. If anyone in your team has allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is a large pack of toast always handy for the office?
No. A large pack is most useful if you’ll get through it before too much opened toast is left over. Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast naturel as containing 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast. If you’re buying another large pack, check how it’s divided inside.
How should I store toast after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose and seal any opened toast properly. For AH Melba toast naturel, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening; the Joybuy product information for Crispy Melba Toast advises keeping the pack tightly closed.
Should I compare the salt content per piece of toast or per 100 g?
Start by comparing products per 100 g so you’re using the same measure. Then consider how much toast people eat at lunch, and remember to factor in the toppings.
Does toast automatically contain iodine because it’s made with baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell that just from the word ‘toast’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. If baker’s salt is important to your choice, check the ingredients list on the exact pack.
Are plain toast and crackers suitable for people with allergies?
The word ‘plain’ doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for people with allergies. The product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists ingredients such as wheat, barley, soya or sesame in the varieties discussed. Always read the allergen information on the pack you buy.