Who is this choice for?

Anyone who wants to be sure it’s wholemeal

If you want to know whether your everyday bread really is 100% wholemeal, rather than relying on its dark colour or the ‘multigrain’ label.

Fussy eaters ready to make the switch

If you’re looking for a familiar taste or finer texture, and want to know whether your chosen bread is entirely wholemeal or made with a blend of white and wholemeal flour.

Anyone looking for organic bread

If you want to check for organic certification, while also looking separately at the type of flour and whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients.

What should you look for?

First decide whether being sure it’s wholemeal or finding an accessible taste is more important. Then consider the organic label and the type of salt as separate factors.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Knowing it’s wholemeal Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and check the types of flour in the ingredients list; colour or ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you enough. I want to know whether my bread is made entirely with wholemeal flour, without having to rely on its colour. For around 45% of consumers, this certainty comes first.
Taste and texture Compare a finer-textured wholemeal option with bread made using a blend of white and wholemeal flour. Keep the distinction between the two clear. For a fussy eater, I want to choose a taste or texture that makes the switch manageable, even if that means choosing a flour blend. Around 33% of consumers give this transition the highest priority.
Organic and baker’s salt For pre-packed organic bread, check for the EU organic logo and related labelling, and look for baker’s salt in the ingredients list. If the bread is sold loose, ask which salt has been used. If I choose organic bread, I want to be able to recognise its certification and know what kind of salt it contains. This is the main buying concern for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking brown or multigrain bread for wholemeal

    A dark colour doesn’t tell you which types of flour have been used. According to Albert Heijn, brown or multigrain bread may contain white flour as well as wholemeal flour.

    Check the label and ingredients list. Choose a flour blend as a deliberate stepping stone, not because its colour makes it look entirely wholemeal.

  • Assuming organic means wholemeal

    Organic certification and the type of flour answer different questions: the EU organic logo doesn’t mean a loaf is made with 100% wholemeal flour.

    Check the organic label and the types of flour listed separately.

  • Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, and organic bread usually contains non-iodised salt.

    For packaged bread, read the ingredients list. If you’re buying from a bakery, ask which salt has been used.

  • Relying only on an online product page

    The current packaging is the best source of information about ingredients and allergens when you’re buying bread. An older product listing also doesn’t guarantee that the same bread is still available.

    Check the latest product information before you buy, and read the packaging before eating the bread, especially if ingredients or allergens are important to you.

Brands to compare

These brands offer different ways to compare organic bread, wholemeal bread and options with an accessible texture. Always check the details of each individual loaf.

AH Biologisch

Albert Heijn lists bread in its AH Biologisch range.

  • The organic range is a good place to start if you’re looking for certified bread.
  • Check the flour type, ingredients and allergens on each pack too; organic doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online wholemeal range featuring different types of bread.

  • The range gives you the chance to compare wholemeal breads and different loaf styles.
  • Check the organic label on each product; being listed in the wholemeal category doesn’t confirm organic certification.

Lidl

Lidl describes a particular kids’ bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour, for anyone looking for a less coarse texture.

  • According to Lidl, this particular bread tastes like brown bread, so you might want to compare the taste for yourself.
  • This description doesn’t apply to all Lidl breads and says nothing about organic certification.

ALDI

ALDI describes its Extra Fibre Wholemeal Bread as 100% wholemeal.

  • The explicit wholemeal label makes the flour type clear for this product.
  • The wholemeal label doesn’t confirm that the product is organically certified.

PLUS

PLUS has an online wholemeal bread category where you can compare different types of bread.

  • The category is a good starting point for browsing standard wholemeal breads.
  • For organic certification and the precise types of flour, rely on the information for each individual product.

Bread to browse at Joybuy

This bread may suit you if you’re considering a blend of white and wholemeal flour. Compare the current ingredients before deciding whether it matches your preferences for wholemeal and organic bread.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Consider this bread if you’re looking for a flour blend and want to bake it at home; bear in mind that it needs to be defrosted and baked in the oven. Check the current packaging for the proportions of each flour, the organic label and the type of salt used, if these matter to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is bread made with white and wholemeal flour the same as wholemeal bread?

No. According to Albert Heijn, bread labelled wholemeal is made with 100% wholemeal flour; brown or multigrain bread may also contain white flour. Choose a blend deliberately for the taste or texture you want, rather than treating it as an equivalent to wholemeal bread.

How can I recognise pre-packed organic bread?

Look for the EU organic logo, the code of the control body and an indication of where the agricultural ingredients come from. The European Commission says the logo may only appear on organically certified products; check the type of flour separately too.

Does organic bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, and organic bread usually contains non-iodised salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; if it’s sold loose, ask the baker.

What should I check when browsing for bread online?

Use the product page to compare loaves, but check the current ingredients, allergens and organic labelling when you buy. Read the packaging before eating the bread too, as product information can change.