Who should take particular care when choosing?

Shoppers avoiding gluten-containing cereals

A gluten-free label is a starting point, not the whole story. Gluten-free multiseed bread may also contain soya, egg, milk or nuts, as product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows.

Shoppers with a sesame, nut or seed allergy

The name ‘multiseed’ doesn’t tell you which seeds the bread contains. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product before choosing based on the type of bread or its texture.

Shoppers comparing standard bread

If you need to avoid milk, egg, soya or lupin, for example, the full allergen information can be just as important for standard bread. Check the current product rather than assuming that only gluten-free bread needs attention.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the allergen you need to avoid. Then decide whether the information about possible cross-contamination and how the bread is sold gives you enough detail to assess that specific product.

Standard multiseed bread

When to consider it: only if the cereals, seeds and other ingredients listed are suitable for your diet.

Bear in mind: according to Jumbo, one example contains wheat, barley, oats and rye, and may contain sesame, among other allergens.

Gluten-free multiseed bread

When to consider it: if you avoid gluten and can also check the other allergens in the bread you’ve chosen.

Bear in mind: Jumbo lists soya in one gluten-free multiseed product and says it may contain almonds, egg and milk.

Loose seeded bread

When to consider it: only after you’ve checked or requested the allergen information for that particular bread before buying.

Bear in mind: the information may not be displayed on individual packaging, so you’ll need to rely on the details the shop provides for that bread.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
The allergen you need to avoid Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens for the current product, including standard seeded bread. If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to rule it out first before choosing a type of bread. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this allergen.
Possible cross-contamination Check for any ‘may contain’ information and, for loose bread, ask what information is available for that product. An ingredient may not be listed, but the possibility that it’s present can still affect my choice. For around 29% of consumers, this uncertainty is their top priority.
Gluten-free and other allergens As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the full allergen information, including any mentions of soya, egg, milk and nuts. If I’m looking for gluten-free bread but also avoiding other allergens, the label on the front doesn’t give me the full picture. This combination is a priority for around 21% of consumers.
Nutritional information after checking allergens If you wish, compare the nutritional information and check the ingredients for iodised baker’s salt, or ask about it. Once I know a bread is suitable for my allergy, I want to take its nutritional information or the salt used into account. For around 14% of consumers, this is the main follow-up question.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multiseed’ tells you what’s in the bread

    The name doesn’t tell you which cereals, seeds and other allergens a product contains. Jumbo’s example of standard bread contains several gluten-containing cereals and may contain sesame, milk, soya and lupin.

    First read the ingredients and allergens for the bread you’re actually choosing. Only then compare the type of bread and seed mix.

  • Assuming gluten-free means allergen-free

    A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether the bread contains soya, egg or milk, for example. The gluten-free multiseed bread in Jumbo’s product information contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk.

    Compare your full list of allergens to avoid with both the ingredients and any warnings.

  • Using an online product page as your final check

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn and PLUS direct shoppers to check the packaging for the latest details.

    Read the packaging for the product you’ve chosen again. For loose bread, ask for the allergen information before you buy.

  • Assuming all bread contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers in the Netherlands often use iodised baker’s salt, but they aren’t required to use baker’s salt.

    If you want to know which salt is used in a bread, check the ingredients list or ask about it when buying loose bread.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Online product information can help you compare packaged bread before you shop.

  • The page for Genius multiseed bread notes, among other things, that the product contains egg.
  • Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging for accurate allergen information; check the packaging for the product you’ve chosen.

Jumbo

Product pages for standard and gluten-free multiseed bread show why you need to check allergens for each product.

  • The product pages distinguish between allergens present in the bread and those it may contain.
  • Jumbo says cross-contamination isn’t listed on the label for products packed in store and can’t be ruled out.

Lidl

For freshly baked bread, Lidl provides an overview of ingredients and allergens.

  • This overview gives you a way to check freshly baked bread before visiting a shop.
  • Lidl doesn’t provide a general online list for all food products, so check the information for the product you’re interested in.

Aldi

Aldi describes multigrain bread in its daily fresh range as bread made with grains and seeds.

  • The range information can help you identify the type of bread.
  • The term ‘multigrain’ doesn’t identify the allergens in an individual bread; ask for product-specific information.

PLUS

Online product pages can give you an initial overview of the ingredients and allergens in individual loaves.

  • The page for a gluten-free multiseed bread also includes information about other allergens.
  • PLUS says product information can change and recommends checking the packaging.

Dirk

A product page describes Bakker van der Akker Boeren multiseed bread as brown wheat bread with seeds.

  • The product description makes clear what type of bread it is.
  • Check the packaging for allergen information or ask in store for details about this bread.

Seeded bread on Joybuy

This multigrain bread is one option to consider if you’re looking for seeded bread. Before deciding whether it’s suitable for your allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round 550 g

A round multigrain loaf to consider if you’re looking for seeded bread. Before buying, check the current packaging for any allergens you need to avoid and any warnings.

Contents: 550 g. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does allergen information have to be available for loose bread?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must be able to provide consumers with allergen information for loose foods too. Ask for information about the bread you want before buying it; for pre-packed bread, the allergen information is shown on the label.

Is seeded bread automatically unsuitable if you have a sesame allergy?

No, but the name ‘seeded bread’ doesn’t automatically mean it’s suitable either. Check each product to see whether sesame is an ingredient, and read any warnings about possible traces. For example, Jumbo says one of its standard multiseed breads may contain sesame.

Is gluten-free multiseed bread also free from other allergens?

Not necessarily. According to its product information, one gluten-free multiseed bread from Jumbo contains soya and may contain almonds, egg and milk. So, as well as checking the gluten-free label, read the full allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen.

Does the absence of a ‘may contain’ warning mean cross-contamination is ruled out?

No. Don’t assume this just because there’s no warning. Jumbo says, for example, that cross-contamination isn’t listed on the label for products packed in store, such as freshly baked bread, and can’t be ruled out. If you’re unsure, ask for information about the specific bread.

Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, iodised baker’s salt is often used, but bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list; for loose bread, ask about it.