If wholemeal is your main priority, choose bread explicitly labelled as wholemeal, then check organic and sourdough as separate features. Organic sourdough bread can also contain wheat flour: ‘multigrain’ on the label or a rustic appearance doesn’t prove that the bread is entirely wholemeal.
You want wholemeal, organic and sourdough to be clearly stated on the label or product page. This means paying extra attention to organic multigrain sourdough bread: an ingredients list containing both wholemeal flour and wheat flour doesn’t necessarily confirm that the bread is entirely wholemeal.
A clear wholemeal label is your priority, while sourdough is a separate flavour preference. Check for an organic label only if the way the bread is produced also matters to you.
You want to know whether a bread contains iodised salt and which grains and allergens are listed. You’ll need to check the label of each specific product, even for organic sourdough bread.
First, decide which feature matters most to you, then check the other labels and ingredients separately. Organic sourdough bread may not meet your wholemeal preference, while wholemeal bread isn’t automatically organic or made with sourdough.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal | Look for an explicit wholemeal label. For ‘brown’ or ‘multigrain’ bread, check the ingredients and any stated proportions of wholemeal flour and white flour. | If I really want wholemeal bread, a brown colour or multigrain label isn’t enough. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to identify a wholemeal option. |
| Organic | Check for an organic label and certification mark; assess the grain composition separately. | If you choose mainly based on how a product is made, you’ll want to see a clear organic label. For around 27% of consumers, this confirmation is the top priority. |
| Sourdough and availability | Check for a sourdough label, whether the bread needs baking at home and where you can buy it. | I’m looking for a sourdough flavour, but I also want to know whether I can pick up the bread in store or need to bake it at home. Around 20% of consumers give this combination the most weight. |
| Salt and allergens | Check the ingredients for iodised salt and allergens; compare the salt content per 100 g if needed. | If certain ingredients or the amount of salt affect my choice, I check the label of each bread individually. This is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn lists its organic OerDesem multigrain bread as containing 31% wheat flour and 22% wholemeal wheat flour. The product page for PLUS organic sourdough pumpkin rolls lists 24% wheat flour and 31% wholemeal wheat flour.
Use ‘wholemeal’ as a separate buying criterion, and check the ingredients when a bread is described mainly as brown, rustic or multigrain.
Organic sourdough products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, among others, list iodised salt. So an organic label doesn’t tell you which type of salt a specific bread contains.
If iodised salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the packaging.
Jumbo says its organic wholemeal sourdough rolls are no longer part of its online range. The brand also says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store.
Just before buying, check whether the bread you want is available through your preferred shop or ordering method.
Sourdough on its own doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed or how much salt the bread contains. PLUS organic sourdough pumpkin rolls, for example, list several gluten-containing grains and 1,06 g of salt per 100 g.
Check the allergen information and nutritional details on the current packaging, especially if they’re important to your purchase.
A useful example for assessing organic sourdough and grain composition side by side.
Worth considering if you’re looking at organic wholemeal sourdough rolls or sourdough bread to buy in store.
An in-store option if you’re interested in organic multigrain sourdough bread.
A useful reference if a clear wholemeal label matters more than the other two features.
An example for comparing the ingredients and preparation of organic sourdough rolls that need baking at home.
A starting point for exploring different types of bread in the range.
No. Sourdough describes how the bread is made, not the grain composition. The organic sourdough products from Albert Heijn and PLUS mentioned above contain wheat flour as well as wholemeal wheat flour; check the wholemeal label and ingredients separately.
No. Organic sourdough products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list iodised salt. Read the ingredients list for the bread you want to buy rather than assuming what type of salt it contains based on the organic label.
Look for an explicit organic label and certification mark on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre refers to the European organic logo; for example, Albert Heijn lists the EU organic logo and Skal 001920 for its organic OerDesem multigrain bread. Check for wholemeal and sourdough separately too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal sourdough bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you plan to eat it later, it’s best to freeze the bread in portions, and check its condition before eating.
Use the product page to compare breads, but also read the packaging of the bread you buy before eating it. Product information can change, which is especially important if specific allergens, iodised salt or the salt content affect your choice.
