Who is this choice relevant to?

Households looking for organic and wholemeal bread

You want to be able to identify both qualities on the packaging. The organic label doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal, and ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm this either.

People comparing everyday bread

When choosing bread for breakfast and lunch, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information. This helps you assess the specific product you’re choosing, rather than the bread type as a whole.

People who store bread in portions

You want to choose a loaf size that suits how much you use and freeze portions if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends paying attention to storage times for wholemeal bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check for organic and wholemeal as two separate qualities. Then compare the nutritional information for the breads that meet your requirements, and choose an amount you can use or store.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal flour Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread packaging; don’t rely on ‘multigrain’, colour or seeds alone. If I’m looking for bread made with 100% wholemeal flour, I want to be able to tell from the label. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this assurance.
Organic status For prepacked bread, check for the EU organic logo and the relevant control body’s code; assess whether it’s wholemeal separately. If organic is my main requirement, I want to see a recognisable organic label. Around 29% of consumers give this check top priority.
Nutritional information and allergens Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose. When comparing my everyday bread, I want to know what this particular product contains. Around 21% of consumers prioritise nutritional information and allergens.
Storage and portions Check the loaf size and storage advice; freeze portions if needed. If I can’t finish a whole loaf in time, I want to be able to store some of it. Around 14% of consumers prioritise reducing waste.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’, a dark colour or seeds mean wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. This doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour.

    If you’re looking for entirely wholemeal bread, let the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging guide your choice.

  • Assuming organic means wholemeal too

    Organic production and the use of wholemeal flour are separate qualities. So the EU organic logo doesn’t tell you whether a bread is wholemeal.

    Check for both labels separately if you want organic wholemeal multigrain bread.

  • Applying one loaf’s nutritional information to another

    Recipes vary. Jumbo lists 7.8 g of fibre and 0.99 g of salt per 100 g for one wholemeal multigrain loaf; these values don’t automatically apply to other breads.

    Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g and read the full allergen information for the product you choose.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    Bread that isn’t used in time can go to waste. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a product that’s often wasted.

    Choose a suitable loaf size or freeze the portions you’ll need later soon after buying it.

Retailers to browse

These retailers show examples of multigrain bread, but a loaf isn’t automatically both organic and wholemeal. Check the labels and nutritional information for the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has product pages for items including organic multigrain farmhouse rolls and organic multigrain hearth bread.

  • The product names make it easy to identify the organic multigrain varieties.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product information may change. Check the current label and look separately for ‘wholemeal’.

Jumbo

Jumbo has a multigrain bread category and product information for a wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The nutritional information for that product shows which values you can compare per 100 g.
  • The values for one loaf don’t tell you anything about another variety; also check the organic status and allergens on the label of the product you choose.

Lidl

Lidl describes an organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and kernels.

  • The product description names the organic multigrain variety and gives its weight as 600 g.
  • ‘Organic multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal; check the packaging to be sure.

ALDI

ALDI describes a wholemeal farmhouse multigrain loaf, sold whole.

  • The product name explicitly identifies it as both wholemeal and multigrain.
  • These labels don’t confirm organic status; check this separately if organic is a requirement.

PLUS

PLUS has a multigrain category and, in October 2022, described organic farmhouse white and brown multigrain bread.

  • The 2022 description may help you recognise organic and wholemeal labels as separate qualities.
  • Don’t use that earlier description as product information for the bread you’re choosing now; check the current label.

Dirk

Dirk shows search results for multigrain bread, including a named wholemeal multigrain variety.

  • The results show that product names vary within the multigrain category.
  • The products listed aren’t confirmed as organic; check the status of each product separately.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t tell you whether the whole grain has been used. For bread, the label ‘wholemeal’ means it’s made with 100% wholemeal flour.

How can I recognise organic bread?

For prepacked bread, look for the EU organic logo and the control body’s code. According to the European Commission, the logo can be used on certified organic products; for processed products, at least 95% of the ingredients of agricultural origin must be organic. The logo doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.

Where can I find allergen information for multigrain bread?

Read the ingredients list and check which allergens are highlighted on the packaging of the bread you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the labelling requirements for 14 mandatory allergens; for bread, check which gluten-containing grains are listed.

Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume it does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes iodine in bread through baker’s salt as an option that’s permitted, not proof that every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list of the bread you choose.

How long can I keep wholemeal bread?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide, you can keep opened wholemeal bread for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Freeze bread in portions if you won’t use it soon, and follow the storage advice on the packaging too.