If you like soft, light bread, brown bread or a loaf made with a mix of white and wholemeal flour could be a stepping stone, but it isn’t the same as wholemeal bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘wholemeal’ means that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. If you also want to buy organic, check for the EU organic logo and separately read the ingredients to see whether the bread contains baker’s salt.
If you prefer the taste or texture of white bread, brown bread could be a stepping stone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is made with a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour. If you want bread made from 100% wholemeal flour, look for the term ‘wholemeal’.
The EU organic logo helps you identify how a product was made, according to the Dutch Government. You’ll need to check the label separately to see whether the bread is wholemeal and contains baker’s salt.
If fibre is your priority, you can compare the nutritional information per 100 g for different breads. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘wholemeal’ confirms that 100% wholemeal flour has been used; it doesn’t mean every loaf has the same fibre content.
Start with the flavour and type of bread you’re looking for. Then check the wholemeal description, organic logo and ingredients separately: each tells you something different about the same loaf.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check the type of bread and its ingredients if you’re looking for a mix of white and wholemeal flour. Don’t judge by colour alone. | I prefer light bread and am looking for a stepping stone that appeals to me. For around 29% of consumers, this taste preference is said to be the main reason for buying. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the term ‘wholemeal’ to find bread made from 100% wholemeal flour. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g to check the fibre content. | I want to be sure the bread I eat every day is made entirely with wholemeal flour. Around 29% of consumers are said to choose bread mainly for its wholemeal base. |
| Organic production | Check for the EU organic logo; if you also want wholemeal bread, check the type of bread separately. | If I buy organic, I want to see the logo on the specific loaf. Organic production is said to be the top priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Baker’s salt | Read the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt has been used, especially for organic bread. | If bread is a regular part of my diet, I want to know whether it’s made with baker’s salt. For around 18% of consumers, checking this is said to be the main priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is made with a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour. The colour or the term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you that the bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If you want a loaf made entirely with wholemeal flour, choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’.
The EU organic logo is about certified organic production, not the proportion of wholemeal flour.
If you’re looking for both, check the logo and the bread description separately.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt doesn’t have to be used in bread. For organic bread, it’s therefore worth checking the ingredients rather than assuming it contains a set amount of iodine.
Check the packaging to see whether baker’s salt has been used.
A loaf you found previously may no longer be available, and product information can vary from one bread to another.
When buying, check the packaging for ingredients, allergens, the organic logo and baker’s salt.
A starting point for exploring organic sourdough breads.
A brand to explore if you’re looking specifically for organic wholemeal options.
Worth considering if you’re looking for wholemeal bread with a different flour texture.
A brand with a clearly labelled wholemeal loaf to compare.
An example of a wholemeal loaf you can assess by its ingredients.
A starting point for exploring different types of bread and organic products.
This bread is an option to consider if you’re looking for a stepping stone from white to wholemeal. Check the packaging to see whether the ingredients, organic description and method of preparation match what you’re looking for.
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If you’re considering a loaf as a stepping stone, check the ingredients and the proportion of wholemeal flour to white flour before choosing.
The product name lists a 550 g pack. Check the packaging separately for the EU organic logo and baker’s salt if these matter to you.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is a mix of wholemeal flour and white flour, whereas bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So a brown colour alone isn’t enough to tell you.
No. According to the Dutch Government, the EU organic logo identifies how a product was produced; it doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. Check the bread description for that too.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list on the bread itself to see whether it has been used.
Follow the storage instructions for the specific bread. PLUS recommends freezing its Boeren volkoren heel at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month. Don’t assume the same advice applies to another loaf.
