Shoppers comparing pack sizes
You’re buying rye bread for several people and want to know how much is in each pack. Check the net weight and, if stated, the number of slices or pieces.
Who should consider these options?
Shoppers looking for wholegrain rye and nutrition information
You want to know which grains the bread contains. Read the ingredients list and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the label.
Hosts checking labels for their guests
You’re serving bread to people with different dietary requirements. Check the listed allergens, possible traces and storage instructions for the pack you’ve chosen.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with how much you need. Then check the grains and nutrition information, and make sure the label meets your guests’ needs before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight and the stated number of slices or pieces with how much you’ll need for the evening. | If I’m buying for several guests, I want to know in advance how much bread I can serve. Around 50% of consumers put quantity first. |
| Ingredients | Check which grains are used and compare fibre and salt per 100 g across similar products. | I’m looking specifically for wholegrain rye, or I want to see how the nutrition information differs between two varieties. For around 30% of consumers, ingredients are the first consideration. |
| Guests and storage | Check the allergens, possible traces and instructions for storing the product after opening on the exact pack you’re buying. | When serving guests, I want to know whether the bread suits their dietary requirements and how to store it. Suitability comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all packs are the same size
Rye bread is sold in a range of pack sizes. So the number of packs alone won’t tell you how much you’ll have ready for your guests.
Check the net weight and the number of slices or pieces before deciding how many packs you’ll need.
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Confusing wheat-and-rye, multigrain and wholegrain rye
Jumbo Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn lists wheat as its first flour ingredient. PLUS’s product information for Bolletje Fries roggebrood describes it as 100% wholegrain rye. The names therefore don’t indicate the same ingredients.
Read the product description and ingredients list if a particular grain or wholegrain status is important to your choice.
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Serving bread to guests without checking the label
According to the Voedingscentrum, rye is a gluten-containing grain. Other ingredients and statements about possible traces vary from product to product.
Ask your guests about their dietary requirements in advance and check the allergen information on the pack you’re serving.
Brands to consider
Ingredients and pack sizes can vary between products from the same brand. Use the examples below as a starting point, then check the label on the exact product you’re considering.
Van Dijk's
Frisian rye bread is available, among other options, in a 500 g pack at Dirk and Jumbo.
- Jumbo states that Van Dijk's Ambachtelijk Fries Roggebrood contains 10 slices per 500 g pack.
- The Jumbo variety lists both rye and wheat, so check the ingredients of the one you choose.
Bolletje
PLUS’s product information describes Bolletje Fries roggebrood as a variety made with 100% wholegrain rye.
- For this specific variety, PLUS lists 9.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product information also lists wheat and gluten-containing grains. Check the current label if the ingredients are a deciding factor.
Soma
PLUS lists several Soma varieties, including Frisian and Oberländer rye bread.
- Soma Fries roggebrood is listed as containing 60% wholemeal rye flour.
- For this Frisian variety, PLUS warns that it may contain traces of sesame, milk and nuts. Don’t assume the same applies to other varieties.
Jumbo
Jumbo Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn is a wheat-and-rye variety containing several grains and seeds.
- The product information lists linseed, sunflower seeds and oats.
- Wheat is listed as the first flour ingredient. Don’t choose this variety on the assumption that it contains only rye.
FINEST BAKERY
ALDI lists a FINEST BAKERY Roggebrood in a 500 g pack.
- The stated net weight helps you plan how much you’ll need.
- Check the label and availability at your local store before planning to serve this variety on the evening.
Rye bread on Joybuy
These two rye breads offer a choice between a pack with a stated number of pieces and a 500 g pack. For St Nicholas’ Eve, also compare the ingredients and allergens on the current label.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
An option if you want to plan for the stated 9 pieces when catering for your guests. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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Bolletje rye bread loaf, 500 g
A 500 g pack for anyone working out how much they need by weight. Check the ingredients of this variety on the label; don’t assume it has the same ingredients as another Bolletje rye bread.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinary rye bread gluten-free?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, rye is a gluten-containing grain. If you’re following a gluten-free diet, don’t rely on the product name: check that the pack you choose is explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
How do I compare the nutrition information for two rye breads?
Compare products of the same type per 100 g, and check the ingredients, fibre and salt content. According to the Dutch Government, Nutri-Score is intended to help you compare similar products, not to provide a standalone judgement on a single loaf of bread.
How should I store rye bread for an evening with guests?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’re using. For Bolletje Fries roggebrood, PLUS advises keeping it in the fridge after opening; for Soma Fries, PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place. Instructions for one variety don’t necessarily apply to another.