Who is this relevant to?

Shoppers who pay attention to pack size

You eat rye bread regularly and want to compare the contents of different packs without buying more than you’ll use once opened.

Shoppers looking for something savoury alongside cake

You serve rye bread with coffee and cake and want a hearty rye option instead of another sweet snack.

Shoppers who want to check the label

You want to check the ingredients, gluten-containing cereals, fibre, salt or storage instructions before buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by considering how much rye bread you use. Then decide which style of bread you’d like to serve alongside cake, and finally check the label on the specific pack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Pack size and how much you use Net weight in grams and, if stated, the number of pieces or slices. If I eat rye bread regularly, I want to choose a pack that I’ll finish before its use-by period after opening expires. For around 50% of consumers, finding a suitable pack size comes first.
Style of bread to serve with cake Product type, wholemeal designation and ingredients. I want to serve something savoury and hearty alongside sweet cake. For around 30% of consumers, this is the main reason for choosing a particular variety.
Label and storage Allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g, plus instructions for storing the bread after opening. I want to know which cereals the bread contains and how to store an opened pack. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the pack, not its contents

    Rye bread is available in packs of 400 g and 500 g, among other sizes. A larger pack isn’t automatically the right choice if you’ll only use a small amount after opening.

    Compare the weight on the pack and choose an amount that suits how much you use and the storage instructions.

  • Assuming rye bread is gluten-free

    Rye is a gluten-containing cereal, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. A wholemeal designation doesn’t change that; some varieties also contain wheat.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack if gluten or other cereals are relevant to your choice.

  • Assuming every pack contains iodine

    The agreement on the use of iodised baker’s salt in bread-making, published in the Government Gazette in 2008, does not tell you which salt was used in an individual rye bread product.

    Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt was used if you want to know about this product.

  • Focusing only on fibre

    The stated amounts of fibre and salt vary between rye breads. Instructions for storing an opened pack can also differ by product.

    Compare both nutritional values per 100 g and follow the storage instructions on the pack.

Brands to consider

These examples highlight product differences worth checking. Assess the specific version you’re thinking of buying.

Van Dijk's

Frisian rye bread in a 500 g pack, listed by Jumbo and Dirk.

  • The pack weight makes it easy to compare with other 500 g packs.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack for the variety you choose.

Bolletje

Product information for its 500 g Frisian rye bread is available from Albert Heijn and PLUS.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9.1 g of fibre and 0.94 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
  • The listed allergens include rye, wheat and gluten-containing cereals; check the pack label.

FINEST BAKERY

ALDI lists rye bread from this own-brand range in a 500 g pack.

  • The stated weight is directly comparable with other 500 g packs.
  • Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack before choosing.

Smaakt

Organic wholemeal rye bread with linseed, listed by PLUS.

  • PLUS lists 53% wholemeal cracked rye, 5% linseed, 11 g of fibre and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
  • This variety contains rye and gluten-containing cereals.

Brood van Soma

Jumbo lists several rye and rye-and-wheat breads from this brand.

  • There are different bread styles and pack weights to assess individually.
  • Compare the ingredients for each variety; rye breads in the same range don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.

Rye bread at Joybuy

These rye breads are suited to serving alongside coffee and cake. When choosing, consider the pack size, product format and information on the packaging.

TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces

TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces

An option if you’d like to serve rye bread with coffee and cake; the product name states that the pack contains 9 pieces. Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje rye bread loaf, 500 g

Bolletje rye bread loaf, 500 g

A 500 g pack for serving rye bread with coffee. If it matters whether you get a loaf or sliced rye bread, check the product format on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does every rye bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume so: the agreement on iodised baker’s salt, published in the Government Gazette in 2008, doesn’t confirm the ingredients of every individual product. Check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer which salt was used.

Is rye bread gluten-free?

Regular rye bread made with rye isn’t gluten-free: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies rye as a gluten-containing cereal. Also check the allergen information for the specific product; Bolletje Frisian rye bread lists rye and wheat, among other ingredients.

How should I store an opened pack of rye bread?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for your rye bread. The Bolletje and Smaakt varieties described here have a limited shelf life after opening and should be stored in a cool place; bear these instructions in mind when choosing a pack size.

Does dark rye bread always have the most fibre?

You can’t tell from the name alone. Compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table for the products you’re considering.