Canteen buyer with a specific request for sourdough
You’re looking for a product labelled as sourdough and are happy to serve crispbread instead of round rusks.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Lunch planner comparing wholegrains and fibre
You choose a crunchy base for lunch based on the grains and nutritional information listed, not just the word sourdough.
Person responsible for allergen information
When serving unpackaged food, you need to be able to state which allergens it contains, including the specific gluten-containing cereals.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether your lunch requires sourdough that is clearly stated on the product, or the round shape of rusks. Then compare the product information you need for your chosen way of serving it.
Sourdough crispbread
Choose this if: sourdough must be listed on the product and crispbread works as a base for lunch.
Trade-off: Wasa and Leksands have sourdough varieties among the products reviewed, but they are not round rusks.
Traditional rusks
Choose this if: the familiar round shape is the most important requirement for your lunch presentation.
Trade-off: Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s rusk ranges include different varieties, but the shape alone does not confirm that a product is made with sourdough.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough and product type | Check the product name and ingredients list: is sourdough listed, and is it a rusk or crispbread? | If I want to list sourdough on the lunch menu, the chosen product must actually be labelled as such; around 36% of consumers prioritise this requirement. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Compare the wholegrain information and fibre per 100 g; also check the salt content and intended portion size. | If you want to choose a lunch base based on its grains and nutritional value, a sourdough label alone isn’t enough. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Allergens when serving | Keep a record of the latest allergen information for each product and decide whether you’ll serve it packaged or unpackaged. | When serving unpackaged food, I want to be able to say which gluten-containing cereals the product contains; around 21% of consumers give this information the highest priority. |
| Classic rusk shape | Check the shape, variety and number of pieces per pack. | If round rusks are part of the planned lunch presentation, I don’t want to order crispbread. This product shape is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating sourdough and rusks as the same type of product
The sourdough products reviewed are crispbreads. Ordering based only on the word sourdough could therefore result in a different shape and way of serving than you intended.
Before choosing a product, decide whether the canteen needs round rusks or crispbread.
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Assuming wholegrain or sourdough means a product is allergen-free
The sourdough crispbreads reviewed contain gluten-containing cereals. The cereals present vary between varieties.
Use the latest information for your chosen product when providing allergen information at the point of service.
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Using ‘artisan’ as a product specification
Without further product details, this description doesn’t tell you which grains a product contains, how much sourdough it contains or its nutritional value.
Compare the verifiable information on the packaging, such as the ingredients, product type and nutritional information.
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Assuming every rusk or crispbread product contains iodised baker’s salt
A general rule about baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a specific product.
Ask the supplier for the latest product specification if iodine content is a condition of your purchase.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Albert Heijn lists Wasa Sourdough Rye and Sourdough Multigrain as crispbread varieties.
- The product information lists 19 g of fibre per 100 g for the Rye variety and 18 g per 100 g for Multigrain.
- Both varieties are crispbreads, not round rusks. Check the grains present and information about possible cross-contamination for each variety.
Leksands
The sourdough variety described by Albert Heijn is triangular rye crispbread.
- The product information for this variety lists 100% wholegrain rye, 3.8% sourdough and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This is not a rusk, and it contains rye, wheat and barley.
Bolletje
Bolletje is worth considering if your canteen wants to compare traditional rusks.
- Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s rusk ranges include several Bolletje varieties, including wholegrain rusks.
- Check the specific product if you’re looking for sourdough; the rusk shape alone doesn’t confirm this.
Albert Heijn
Its range includes own-brand rusks as well as separate sourdough crispbread products.
- The rusk category includes plain, wholegrain, multiseed and spelt varieties, among others.
- Check the shape and sourdough label for each product you choose, and refer to the latest packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand rusks and Wasa Sourdough Rye as separate product options.
- The rusk category includes plain, wholegrain, multigrain and spelt varieties, among others.
- A rusk and a sourdough crispbread meet different requirements when it comes to shape and ingredients.
Joybuy products for the sourdough option
This product is suitable for a canteen lunch where sourdough crispbread is being considered instead of round rusks. Before serving it unpackaged, check the latest product and allergen information.
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Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g
An option for a lunch featuring sourdough crispbread instead of round rusks.
235 g pack; Joybuy describes this rye variety as crispbread made with sourdough. Before serving it unpackaged, check the latest packaging or supplier information for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough crispbread the same as sourdough rusks?
No. Albert Heijn describes the Wasa and Leksands sourdough varieties reviewed as crispbreads, while the rusk ranges reviewed list other types of rusks. First choose the product type you want, then check the sourdough label on the specific product.
What allergen information is needed when serving unpackaged food in a canteen?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), information about the 14 allergens must be available before purchase. For gluten-containing cereals, it must be clear which cereals are involved. Use the latest information for the product you’re actually serving.
Does every rusk or crispbread contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone. Check the latest packaging or ask the supplier for a product specification if iodine content is a deciding factor in your purchase.
How should you store crispbread for a canteen lunch?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. The Wasa and Leksands product information reviewed recommends storing the products in a dry place; check the instructions for each variety before buying stock for the canteen.