If you want to buy organic multigrain bread every day, check for the EU organic logo on the loaf and choose a size your household can use in time. Also look specifically for the word ‘wholemeal’ if that matters to you: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), multigrain does not automatically mean wholemeal. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose, too.
If bread is on the table several times a week, the loaf size and how much you actually use both matter. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Lidl list organic multigrain breads in different sizes; check which options are available at your local store.
Organic multigrain bread is not automatically wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), ‘multigrain’ refers to the types of grain used, so you should look separately for the word ‘wholemeal’ if you want wholemeal bread.
If you need to check for allergens or iodised salt, you’ll need the information for the exact loaf. The product information for the organic bread from Albert Heijn reviewed here lists wheat, barley, oats, rye and iodised salt, among other ingredients. Check the packaging of the loaf you buy.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check for the EU organic logo on the specific loaf and make sure the size suits how much you usually use. | I want to be sure my everyday bread is organic, without buying more than I need. This is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and, if needed, compare the fibre content per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it is not automatically wholemeal. | If wholemeal is the deciding factor for me, I don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ or visible seeds alone. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Size and how you’ll use it | Check the loaf’s weight, whether it’s available at your store and the freezing advice on the packaging. | We need to get through a whole loaf at home in time; otherwise, I’d rather choose a more suitable size. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current allergen information and check the ingredients list to see whether iodised salt is used. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or check the type of salt, I assess each loaf individually. This check takes priority for around 13% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), multigrain bread can be made with white flour. So the name does not confirm that the bread is wholemeal.
Look separately for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list; don’t judge by the colour or seeds alone.
A multigrain loaf from ALDI or Dirk’s standard range is not an organic product just because of its name.
If organic is a must, check for the EU organic logo on the loaf itself.
The organic half loaf listed by Jumbo weighs 400 g; Lidl lists a 600 g organic multigrain sourdough loaf. Depending on your household, one loaf may last longer than the other.
Choose a weight you can use in time. Check the freezing advice if you want to keep bread for several days.
Organic does not mean gluten-free. The organic multigrain bread from Albert Heijn reviewed here lists several gluten-containing grains.
Check the allergen information for the exact loaf every time you buy it; don’t assume it’s suitable based on the organic logo.
AH Biologisch has listed a brown multigrain loaf bearing the EU organic logo and certification code NL-BIO-01.
Jumbo listed a 400 g organic wholemeal multigrain half loaf.
Lidl lists a 600 g organic brown multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and kernels.
ALDI lists a farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.
PLUS lists multigrain breads, including Korenlanders Sourdough Multigrain Buckwheat and Brood van Soma Oat Kernel Multigrain Bread.
Dirk lists a standard multigrain hearth loaf and also has an organic products category.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with white flour. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if you specifically want wholemeal bread.
Check for the EU organic logo on the specific loaf. The Dutch government explains that the term ‘organic’ is intended for certified organic foods, so don’t rely on the name of a shop category alone.
Don’t assume standard multigrain bread is gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) lists wheat, rye and barley as gluten-containing grains; check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.
Choose a suitable size or check whether you can freeze portions. For the organic multigrain bread reviewed here, Albert Heijn says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; follow the storage advice for the loaf you buy.
