Who might consider seeded rye bread?

People who need to avoid rye or gluten

Seeded rye bread isn’t suitable for them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre classifies rye as a gluten-containing grain; adding a different type of seed doesn’t change that.

People who need to avoid several allergens

If rye is suitable for you, it’s still important to check the full ingredients list. Also look for other grains and any allergens relevant to you, such as soya, sesame, milk or nuts, and read any cross-contamination warnings.

People comparing seeds and the salt used

If you can eat rye, you can then choose between options such as linseed and sunflower seeds, and compare the fibre content per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with iodised baker’s salt, so check the label separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking whether rye and gluten are suitable for you. If they are, compare the other allergens, seeds, nutritional information and type of salt.

What to check What to look for when buying Who it matters to
Rye and gluten Check whether rye and gluten are on your avoid list. If they are, don’t choose seeded rye bread. If I need to avoid rye or gluten, I don’t want to assume a product is suitable just because of the seeds in its name; around 36% of consumers prioritise this exclusion.
Other allergens Read the full ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. Even if rye is suitable for me, soya or nuts, for example, could still be an issue; around 29% of consumers are most concerned with checking for other allergens.
Seeds and fibre Compare the types of seeds listed and the fibre content per 100 g; also look out for added grains. I want to know whether I’m buying linseed, sunflower seeds or a combination, and how the nutritional information compares; around 21% of consumers prioritise this choice.
Iodised salt Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients; don’t assume it’s used if only sea salt is listed. If I take the salt in bread into account, I want to know which type was actually used; around 14% of consumers give this check the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming seeds or multiple grains mean a product is gluten-free

    Rye is still a gluten-containing grain. Multigrain bread may also contain other gluten-containing grains, such as wheat, oats or barley.

    If you need to avoid rye or gluten, look outside the rye bread category for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the other allergens too.

  • Looking only at the seeds on the front of the pack

    Bread containing linseed or sunflower seeds may also contain other grains or carry a warning about another allergen. For example, Jumbo Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn lists soya as potentially present, while PLUS’s Soma Rheinländer may contain hazelnuts.

    Compare the full ingredients list and warnings on the packaging with your own avoid list.

  • Assuming sea salt is the same as iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory in bread. So the mention of sea salt in Smaakt Roggebrood bio doesn’t confirm that iodised baker’s salt has been used.

    Check which type of salt is listed in the ingredients if you want to take this into account when choosing bread.

  • Relying on an old online product description as if it were the label

    A product page can help you narrow down your options, but it doesn’t show the information on the packaging of the product you’ll actually receive.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy, even if you’ve bought the product before.

Brands to help you compare

Smaakt

PLUS describes Smaakt Roggebrood bio as a 500 g pack containing linseed.

  • The product information lists 53% wholegrain cracked rye, 5% linseed, sea salt and 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The bread contains rye; the mention of sea salt doesn’t mean that iodised baker’s salt has been used. Check the current packaging for any other allergens relevant to you.

Jumbo

Jumbo Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn is a 500 g multigrain loaf with brown linseed and sunflower seeds.

  • Jumbo lists iodised salt and 6.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information lists wheat, rye, oats and barley, and warns that soya may be present.

Brood van Soma

PLUS lists Soma Rheinländer as rye and wheat bread with sunflower seeds.

  • The product information lists 11% sunflower seeds, iodised salt and 5.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The bread contains rye, wheat and barley, among other ingredients; according to PLUS, it may contain hazelnuts.

An alternative bread at Joybuy

This product isn’t an option if you’re specifically looking for seeded rye bread. It may be relevant if you’re looking for a different type of bread because you need to avoid rye or gluten; check the current packaging for the label you need and for any other allergens you need to avoid.

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

Consider these mini baguettes only if the current packaging is suitable for the allergens you need to avoid; they aren’t seeded rye bread.

Pay particular attention to soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard in the allergen information. Also check whether you’ll receive part-baked rolls or a mix, so you know how to prepare them.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is seeded rye bread gluten-free?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye is a gluten-containing grain, regardless of which seeds have been added. If you need to avoid rye or gluten, choose another product that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the other allergens too.

Can I rely on the allergen information on an online shop?

Use it to compare products, but check the current packaging before eating the bread. The ingredients and any warnings on the product you receive are what matter when checking for allergens relevant to you.

Does organic rye bread automatically contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. Check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt; don’t assume either is used just because the bread is labelled organic or lists sea salt.

How should I store rye bread after opening?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that rye bread can go mouldy quickly because of its high moisture content; don’t eat mouldy bread.