Who are these options for?

Everyday eaters who want to check organic status

You’re looking for rye bread for everyday lunches and want to be able to identify its organic status on the packaging, rather than judging by its colour or brand name.

Shoppers comparing fibre and salt

You check the nutritional information per 100 g and compare the ingredients and serving sizes too. That way, words such as ‘wholegrain’ or ‘organic’ don’t make the decision for you.

Shoppers checking ingredients and iodine

You want to know whether the bread contains rye and other gluten-containing grains, or you check which salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), organic bread isn’t always made with baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

If organic status is a must, start with the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, the EU organic logo is compulsory on prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold as organic. Then compare the slices and nutritional information of the breads you’re considering.

What to look for What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Organic status Look for the organic designation and EU organic logo on the packaging. I want to be able to see that my everyday rye bread is organic, even if the packaging already looks ‘green’. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Slice thickness and portions Compare the pack weight with the number of slices and check the slice thickness shown on the packaging. If I’m spreading a pack over several lunches, I want slices that suit my toppings and portions. Around 25% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority.
Fibre and salt Compare both values per 100 g and read the ingredients list for each product. I want to know how the breads differ in terms of ingredients, fibre and salt before choosing one. These details matter most to around 19% of consumers.
Ingredients and storage Check for salt and gluten-containing grains, and read the storage advice for after opening. If I need to watch my gluten intake or check which salt has been used, I want to find that information on the packaging before buying. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming organic means the bread contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so organic bread can be made without it.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, read the ingredients list or ask the baker. Don’t assume based on the organic logo.

  • Assuming ‘medium sliced’ means a standard slice thickness

    A description of the slice thickness doesn’t automatically tell you how many slices are in a pack or whether they’re the right size for your lunch.

    Check the slices shown on the packaging and compare the number of slices with the pack weight before choosing.

  • Looking only at fibre or ‘wholegrain’

    Salt content varies between products too. PLUS lists Smaakt organic rye bread as containing 11 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.

    Compare both the fibre and salt per 100 g for the breads you’re considering.

  • Assuming a shop listing means the product is definitely available

    ALDI labels its organic rye bread ‘OP=OP’ (while stocks last), while Jumbo no longer lists TerraSana rye bread in its online range.

    Check the latest product information and availability at the shop where you plan to buy it.

Brands to compare

Smaakt

A prepacked organic wholegrain rye bread with linseed, for anyone who wants to compare ingredients and nutritional information.

  • PLUS lists this product as containing 53% wholegrain cracked rye, 5% linseed and, per 100 g, 11 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt.
  • The ingredients list includes sea salt but doesn’t mention baker’s salt. Check the packaging if the type of salt used matters to you.

TerraSana

Organic rye bread with linseed, to compare with other products made with rye and linseed.

  • Jumbo lists coarsely ground rye grains and 5% linseed for this product.
  • Jumbo no longer lists the product in its online range. Check current availability at the shop where you plan to buy it.

Brood van Soma

A brand to compare if you’re also considering rye and wheat bread and organic status isn’t a must.

  • Jumbo includes a wholegrain rye and wheat bread from Brood van Soma in its rye bread range.
  • Don’t assume that the product listed by the shop is organic. Check the packaging if organic status is a must for you.

Rye bread on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify prepacked organic rye bread?

Check for the organic designation and EU organic logo on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, the logo is compulsory on prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold as organic.

Does organic rye bread automatically contain iodine?

No. Organic status doesn’t confirm that iodised baker’s salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So if this matters to you, check the ingredients list or ask the baker.

Is rye bread gluten-free?

Rye bread made with rye isn’t gluten-free: rye is a gluten-containing grain. PLUS lists rye and gluten-containing grains for Smaakt rye bread. Always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.

How should I store an opened pack of rye bread?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the pack tightly after use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) notes that rye bread can go mouldy quickly because of its high moisture content.