Sliced wholemeal multiseed bread is a practical base if you want to prepare topped slices and check the ingredients and nutritional information in advance. You could also add light multiseed bread or a multiseed baguette for a different shape and texture. Check the up-to-date allergen information for every bread you choose. If you’re serving a commercial buffet, this information must be available to guests before they make their choice.
You’re looking for bread that you can slice in advance and serve with a range of toppings. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread, so check the type of flour used in the bread you choose.
At a commercial or catered buffet serving unpackaged bread, guests must be able to check which allergens are present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information providers of unpackaged food must give.
As well as slices, you might want to serve a multiseed baguette or rustic loaf with dips, cheese or salads. Decide in advance which breads you’ll present whole and which you’ll serve sliced.
First, decide how guests will help themselves to the bread and pair it with toppings. Then compare the allergen information, ingredients and nutritional values for each loaf.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving and portions | Check whether the bread comes sliced or whether you’ll need to slice it yourself before serving. | If I want to prepare lots of sandwiches, the bread needs to be easy to portion without having to keep slicing more. For around 42% of consumers, ease of serving is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Ask for up-to-date allergen information for each bread and arrange how guests can check it before making their choice. | When guests help themselves to bread, I want to make it clear which allergens each loaf contains and reduce the risk of them getting mixed up. For around 33% of consumers, this information is the top priority. |
| Flour and nutritional value | Check which flour has been used and, if fibre content matters to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Check the baker’s salt separately if it’s relevant. | I want to offer a wholemeal option and not assume which flour is used based on the visible seeds. Around 25% of consumers prioritise wholemeal content and fibre. |
Multiseed bread can also contain white wheat flour. The name and appearance don’t tell you how much wholemeal flour has been used.
Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if needed. For example, PLUS states that Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden contains 30% wholemeal wheat flour, as well as white wheat flour.
For unpackaged bread sold commercially, allergen information must be available before guests make their choice, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Allergens vary by recipe.
Make sure you have up-to-date information for each bread and keep the different types and serving tongs clearly separated.
The fresh bread selection can vary between branches. Ingredients can also change, which is especially important if you’re preparing allergen information in advance.
Confirm quantities and ordering options with your chosen branch, and check the information for the bread that is actually delivered.
Bread can dry out or go stale before the buffet begins.
The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. Only take out as much as you need for serving.
A useful option if you want to assess a specific wholemeal multiseed bread and its product information.
Offers a range of bread shapes to consider alongside standard sliced bread.
Offers both light multiseed bread and a sourdough multiseed baguette to consider as additional bread options.
An option to look at if you’re after brown wheat bread with seeds for sandwiches.
Offers a range of wholemeal and multigrain breads to compare for your buffet.
Offers, among other options, an organic brown sourdough multigrain bread with seeds and kernels.
This round multigrain loaf is worth considering if you want to prepare and slice the bread for your buffet yourself. Check the baking instructions and up-to-date allergen information before serving.
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For a buffet where you want to present a round multigrain loaf and slice it yourself.
Weight: 550 g. Check whether the bread comes sliced and follow the baking instructions on the packaging you receive. Ask for the latest ingredient and allergen information for your guests.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, providers of unpackaged food must give information about the 14 specified allergens. This information must be available where guests choose their bread; it can be provided in writing, electronically or, under certain conditions, verbally.
No. The presence of seeds doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. Read the ingredients list and compare the fibre per 100 g if needed. PLUS states that Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden contains both 30% wholemeal wheat flour and white wheat flour.
No, you can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Voedingscentrum describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers don’t have to use this salt in every loaf. For packaged bread, read the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask the seller.
Yes. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. That way, you can take out what you need for each serving rather than thawing all the bread at once.
Contact your chosen Lidl branch in advance to ask about ordering the quantity you need. Lidl says its fresh range can vary between branches and that Customer Care doesn’t take these orders.
