Who are these choices important to?

Shoppers checking organic certification

When buying pre-packed bread, you want to be able to check the organic claim against the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin statement, rather than relying on the packaging’s appearance.

Shoppers who prioritise wholemeal

You’re looking for wholemeal bread first and foremost, and then judging sourdough by the flavour and texture you enjoy.

Sourdough fans with questions about labels

You’re looking for a particular sourdough style, but also want to check the ingredients, allergens, salt content and use of iodised salt for the loaf you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to look for What to check before buying Who is this most important to?
Organic claim For pre-packed bread, check the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin statement. The European Commission explains these details for products bearing the EU organic logo. If I’m looking for organic bread, I want to be able to check the claim rather than judge by its artisanal appearance. For around 36% of consumers, this check comes first.
Wholemeal base Read the product name and ingredients to establish whether the bread is wholemeal. Compare nutritional values, such as fibre, between breads on the same basis: per 100 g. If you mainly want wholemeal bread, the word sourdough alone isn’t enough to assess what it’s made from. For around 29% of consumers, a wholemeal base matters most.
Sourdough style See how sourdough is described in the product name or ingredients, and check any information about proving or baking for the exact loaf. I’m looking for a loaf whose stated sourdough style suits my preferences for flavour and crust; whether it needs to be baked at home can also make a difference. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this style of bread.
Ingredients and salt Read the allergen statement and nutritional information per 100 g. If it’s relevant to your choice, look for iodised salt in the ingredients. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to check the salt and iodine content, I need to read the details for this particular loaf. For around 14% of consumers, checking the product is the most important consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means the bread is organic and wholemeal

    Sourdough tells you something about how the bread is made, but it doesn’t confirm that it’s organic or wholemeal. A loaf with the sourdough flavour you want may therefore still fall short of your other requirements.

    Check any required organic claim and the wholemeal base separately before assessing the sourdough style.

  • Confusing organic with gluten-free or allergen-free

    Organic certification doesn’t rule out allergens. Jumbo lists wheat, oats, spelt and sesame, among other ingredients, in its organic wholemeal sourdough rolls.

    If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging; don’t rely on the organic certification.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread through added baker’s salt. This rule doesn’t confirm that this ingredient is in every individual loaf.

    For packaged bread, look for iodised salt in the ingredients list, or ask which salt has been used for unpackaged bread.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s available

    A loaf may only be available in store, or may no longer be part of the online range. So finding a product page doesn’t always tell you whether you can buy the loaf when you’re ready to shop.

    Before you shop or place an order, check whether the exact variant is currently available.

Brands to compare

These brands offer options to explore for wholemeal bread, sourdough or organic products. Check each loaf to see whether it actually combines the qualities you’re looking for.

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren is a specific example you can assess for its wholemeal and sourdough qualities.

  • Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat sourdough and iodised salt in the ingredients for this loaf.
  • Check the organic claim separately, and read the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo distinguishes its organic wholemeal sourdough rolls from its freshly baked in-store sourdough loaves.

  • Jumbo displays the EU organic logo and control code NL-BIO-01 for its organic wholemeal sourdough rolls.
  • Check whether the exact variant is available: the organic rolls were no longer in the online range, and Jumbo says its freshly baked in-store sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online.

Lidl

Lidl lists a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf as an in-store product.

  • Lidl provides a separate list of ingredients and allergens for its freshly baked bread range.
  • For this specific sourdough loaf, check separately whether an organic claim applies.

ALDI

ALDI offers freshly baked wholemeal bread daily, as well as an organic range.

  • According to ALDI, the wholemeal loaves in its freshly baked bread range are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • If you want both sourdough and organic, look for each claim on the label of the individual loaf.

PLUS

PLUS offers an online bread category and includes bread in its targets for a larger organic range.

  • You can browse the bread category to see what’s available for delivery or collection.
  • A target for the bread category doesn’t tell you whether an individual loaf is organic, wholemeal or sourdough; check the product details to find out.

Dirk

Dirk has bread categories including wholemeal and sourdough, alongside a category for organic bread products.

  • These categories give you a starting point for browsing the current range.
  • The existence of these categories doesn’t mean one loaf is organic, wholemeal and made with sourdough all at once; check the exact variant.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether pre-packed bread is organic?

Look for the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin statement for the agricultural ingredients. The European Commission says the logo is compulsory for most pre-packed organic food produced in the EU and sold as organic.

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal and organic?

No, sourdough doesn’t confirm either of those qualities. Check the product name and ingredients to see whether it’s wholemeal, and look separately for an organic claim on the exact loaf.

Does every loaf in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that every loaf does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread through added baker’s salt; for packaged bread, check the ingredients for the specific product, or ask about the salt used for unpackaged bread.

Is organic wholemeal sourdough bread automatically gluten-free?

No, organic and sourdough don’t mean that a loaf is gluten-free. Jumbo lists wheat, oats and spelt, among other ingredients, in its organic wholemeal sourdough rolls. If you have coeliac disease or a gluten allergy, always check the current allergen information and look for an explicit statement confirming that the product is suitable for you.