Anyone who specifically wants rusks with aniseed sprinkles
You want a crunchy rusk base and don’t want to replace it with a slice of bread. Rusks and bread are different products, as the Voedingscentrum’s separate product information also shows.
Who is each base suitable for?
Anyone who wants aniseed sprinkles on a slice of wholemeal bread
You’re deliberately choosing bread and care about the type of flour and fibre. According to the Voedingscentrum’s guidance, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ rather than relying on seeds on the bread.
Anyone who needs to check for gluten or allergens
You need a suitable base, so check the label on the specific product. Product information from PLUS and Jumbo shows that multiseed bread can contain ingredients such as wheat, sesame or soya; even a gluten-free option may list other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve rusks or a slice of bread. Then consider the type of flour, fibre and any ingredients you need to avoid.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Rusks or bread | Choose rusks for a crunchy base; choose bread only if you want to serve a slice with aniseed sprinkles. | I want to keep the crunchy texture with the sprinkles and not serve a slice of bread; for around 46% of consumers, the product format would be the main consideration. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the fibre per 100 g in bread. Seeds alone don’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. | If I choose bread, I want to know whether it’s genuinely wholemeal rather than simply topped with seeds; for around 36% of consumers, the type of flour would matter most. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | I need to choose a base that’s suitable for the ingredients I avoid, even if it says ‘gluten-free’; for around 18% of consumers, this would be the first thing to consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds mean the bread is wholemeal
Seeds and kernels tell you something about the ingredients, but they don’t automatically make bread wholemeal. According to its product label, PLUS’s light multiseed bread contains both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.
If you want wholemeal bread, first look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g if you wish.
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Assuming gluten-free means allergen-free
The gluten-free multiseed bread in Jumbo’s product information contains soya; almonds, egg and milk are listed as possible allergens.
Check the latest packaging for both the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
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Buying bread when you want to serve rusks
A slice of bread has a different texture from the crunchy rusk base traditionally served with aniseed sprinkles.
Before comparing breads, decide whether you really want rusks with aniseed sprinkles or whether you deliberately want to serve the sprinkles on bread.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
A general note about bakers’ salt doesn’t tell you which salt is used in the bread you’re buying.
Read the latest ingredients list and look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘bakers’ salt’ if that information matters to your choice.
Brands and retailer examples to help you choose
Albert Heijn
The product label for AH Meerzaden describes a dark brown whole multiseed loaf.
- Albert Heijn lists ingredients including wholemeal wheat flour, 5% linseed, 2.5% sesame seeds and 2.2% sunflower seeds.
- The nutritional information lists 6.4 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g.
- Albert Heijn states that this specific product is no longer in its range; don’t use the label as an indication of current availability.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes a gluten-free multiseed bread made with ingredients including tapioca starch.
- The product information lists linseed, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
- According to the label, this bread contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk. Don’t compare it as though it uses the same type of flour as wholemeal wheat bread.
PLUS
PLUS describes Korenlanders Licht Meerzadenbrood as a light multiseed bread.
- The label lists 30% wholemeal wheat flour, 22% wheat flour and 5.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product lists ingredients including wheat, barley, spelt, soya and sesame; the nutritional information lists 1.02 g of salt per 100 g.
ALDI
ALDI describes Bakkersgoud rustiek licht meerzaden as a partly sliced loaf with a seed crust.
- The product description mentions the seed crust and the partly sliced format.
- Check the label in store if you want to compare the type of flour, allergens or nutritional value with another bread.
Lidl
Lidl lists a wholemeal roll with seeds and kernels in its fresh bakery range.
- The option listed is a roll, not the same product as a whole multiseed loaf.
- Lidl says its range may vary from store to store. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the roll you choose in store.
Bread option at Joybuy
This is a bread option for anyone who deliberately wants to serve aniseed sprinkles on a slice of bread, not a replacement with the same crunch as rusks.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g
A round bread option if you want to serve aniseed sprinkles on bread rather than on rusks. The stated weight is 550 g; check the packaging for wholemeal status and allergens if these matter to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is multiseed bread the same as rusks for aniseed sprinkles?
No. Multiseed bread is bread, not a crunchy rusk. Choose it only if you deliberately want to serve aniseed sprinkles on a slice of bread.
Does ‘multiseed’ mean that bread is wholemeal?
No. Seeds don’t automatically make bread wholemeal. If you want wholemeal bread, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging; according to the Voedingscentrum, this indicates that the bread is made from wholemeal flour.
Should I avoid multiseed bread if I need to check for allergens?
It depends on the product and the ingredients you need to avoid. Always check the latest ingredients and allergen information: the PLUS and Jumbo examples list ingredients including wheat, sesame or soya, and a gluten-free option may still list other allergens.
How can I tell whether bread contains iodised salt?
Read the latest ingredients list for the bread and look for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘bakers’ salt’. Don’t assume every product has the same salt content just because it’s the same type of bread.