Canteens comparing wholemeal bread and fibre
They want to know whether a bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal, and compare its fibre and salt per 100 g. A sprinkling of seeds alone says nothing about whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour.
Which canteens is this for?
Lunch providers who need allergen information
They need to be able to tell guests which allergens are present in unpackaged bread. With seeded multigrain bread, it’s particularly important to check which gluten-containing cereals are used and whether it contains sesame, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Canteens with changing lunch demand
They’re looking for a whole or half loaf, or individual rolls, in quantities and formats that suit expected demand and any preparation required.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the legal product description and the ingredient and allergen information. Then choose the quantity and preparation format that suit your lunch service.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If fibre is a priority for my lunch menu, I want to be able to compare breads on a like-for-like basis. Around 40% of consumers rank this need as their top priority. |
| Allergen information | Check the latest ingredients and allergen declaration, and make sure information about unpackaged bread is available where it is served. | When serving seeded bread, I want to be able to give guests clear information about any allergens it contains. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Daily service | Choose a suitable quantity per pack and check whether the bread needs to be thawed or baked. | When lunch demand varies, I want to be able to match the quantity of bread and preparation to the service. This practical consideration is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming visible seeds mean the bread is wholemeal
Seeds add texture, but the word ‘multigrain’ does not confirm that the bread is wholemeal. Under the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on Flour and Bread, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three different types of cereal are used in the flour component.
Read the product description and compare fibre per 100 g if choosing wholemeal bread is important to you.
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Looking only at the seeds and overlooking allergens
As well as gluten-containing cereals, seeded multigrain bread may contain sesame or other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires providers to inform consumers about allergens present in unpackaged food.
Use the latest information for the exact bread you’ll serve in the canteen, and update it if the product or recipe changes.
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Not comparing salt on a like-for-like basis
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf contains 0.9 g of salt per 100 g; PLUS lists around 1.02 g per 100 g for its Korenlanders Donker multigrain round loaf. So the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you the salt content of a particular bread.
Compare the latest nutritional information per 100 g for the breads you’re considering.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Zaans multigrain whole loaf is one example of brown multigrain bread with seeds.
- For this bread, Albert Heijn lists sunflower seeds, linseeds and 5,9 g of fibre per 100 g, among other details.
- Before buying, check the latest packaging, ingredients and availability of this particular bread.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both a whole Stevig Meergranen loaf and a half Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen loaf.
- According to Jumbo, Stevig Meergranen contains sunflower seeds, linseeds and sesame seeds, and its product information lists 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the latest allergen information for your chosen variety. For Stevig Meergranen, Jumbo lists gluten-containing cereals, sesame and soya, among other allergens.
Lidl
Lidl describes its multigrain bread as a loaf with grains and seeds, available in store.
- The product description lists wheat, barley and buckwheat, among other ingredients.
- For canteen use, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists Boeren volkoren meergranen as a whole loaf containing grains and seeds.
- The product name makes clear that it is a wholemeal multigrain variety.
- Check the latest ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for the specific bread in store.
PLUS
PLUS lists several multigrain varieties, including Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel.
- For this dark variety, PLUS lists sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and linseeds, with 6,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Use the latest information for the variety you choose; another Korenlanders bread may have a different recipe.
Dirk
Dirk lists Vloerbrood meergranen heel, among other multigrain varieties.
- Dirk describes the floor-baked loaf as bread made with grains and seeds.
- Ask for the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you choose before offering it unpackaged.
Multigrain bread on Joybuy
These loaves and baguettes are options for a canteen lunch where a multigrain variety is preferred. If you’re choosing based on wholemeal content, fibre or allergens, always compare the latest information for the exact product. Both varieties also need to be prepared before serving.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread round, 550 g x 2
An option for lunch services where there’s time to thaw the bread, bake it and leave it to cool beforehand.
Before offering this bread as a wholemeal option or serving it unpackaged, check its legal product name, nutritional information per 100 g and latest allergen declaration.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
Individual baguettes can suit a lunch service planned around one roll per person, as long as there’s time to thaw and bake them.
Before choosing this variety for your canteen menu, check whether it is labelled wholemeal, its nutritional information per 100 g and its latest allergen declaration.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. Under the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on Flour and Bread, ‘multigrain’ refers to at least three different types of cereal in the flour component, not to bread made entirely with wholemeal flour. If you want wholemeal bread, look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the nutritional information too.
Does a workplace canteen have to list allergens in unpackaged multigrain bread?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that providers must inform consumers about allergens present in unpackaged food. Use the latest information for the bread you’re serving and, for gluten-containing cereals, specify which cereals they are.
Is bread in the Netherlands always made with iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used for that particular bread.
Can you freeze multigrain bread for the canteen?
That depends on the bread and its storage and preparation instructions. Follow the instructions for the variety you choose and allow time to thaw it and bake it, if necessary, before serving lunch.