If you’re making a platter of topped rye bread
For a drinks gathering or a snack around the Sinterklaas arrival, you’re looking for rye bread with clearly visible sunflower seeds. Check the ingredients list to make sure they’re included.
Who is this relevant for?
If you’re comparing nutritional information
As well as checking the seeds, look at the fibre per 100 g and whether wholegrain rye ingredients are listed.
If you need to check for allergens
Before buying, check the latest information about rye, wheat and any other relevant allergens. This is just as important for a seeded loaf as it is for plain rye bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a snack around the Sinterklaas arrival, first decide whether the texture of the seeds, the ingredients or allergens matter most to you. Then compare the labels of the products you’re considering.
| What to look for | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients and what proportion is stated. | For my platter, I want rye bread with clearly visible seeds. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this seeded texture. |
| Fibre and wholegrain ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check whether wholegrain rye flour or wholegrain rye meal is listed. | When choosing bread for several occasions, I want to compare the ingredients rather than just focus on the seeds. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including details of any possible presence of other allergens. | If I need to take an allergy or gluten-free diet into account, I need to know whether this specific bread is suitable before serving it. Checking the label is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds make rye bread gluten-free
The seeded varieties described contain rye or are labelled as containing gluten; some also contain wheat. Sunflower seeds don’t change that.
If you need gluten-free bread, don’t choose based on the seeds. Check that the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
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Focusing only on the number of seeds
Two loaves with a similar proportion of sunflower seeds don’t necessarily have the same nutritional information.
Compare the labels side by side, checking the stated fibre and salt on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
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Assuming a product page shows current availability
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages for Van der Meulen rye bread with sunflower seeds say that the product has been discontinued and is no longer available in their online range, respectively. This doesn’t tell you what will be available when you shop.
Check current availability before you shop, and read the packaging again when you buy the product.
Brands compared
Van der Meulen
The rye bread variety with sunflower seeds is listed on the Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages.
- Albert Heijn lists 6% sunflower seeds, 11 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt for this variety.
- This variety contains rye and wheat. Check current availability too: the relevant Albert Heijn and Jumbo pages mark the product as discontinued or no longer available in their online range.
Mestemacher
An organic rye bread variety with sunflower seeds for anyone wanting to check specifically for wholegrain rye ingredients.
- The product information at Hofweb lists wholegrain rye meal, wholegrain rye flour and 5% sunflower seeds.
- This product is labelled as containing gluten and has 1 g of salt per 100 g. If you have relevant allergies, also check for possible traces of ingredients including milk, nuts, soya and sesame.
Van Dijk's
The Frisian rye bread on Jumbo’s product page is an option if you want rye bread for toppings but aren’t looking for sunflower seeds.
- Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- Sunflower seeds aren’t listed in the ingredients. The product contains rye and wheat.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check which seeds are in rye bread?
Read the ingredients list to see which type of seed is included and what proportion is stated. The sunflower seed varieties described list 5% or 6%; check the packaging of the loaf you’re actually buying.
Is rye bread with sunflower seeds gluten-free?
The varieties described here aren’t gluten-free: they contain rye or are labelled as containing gluten, and some also contain wheat. For a different product, don’t assume it’s gluten-free because it contains sunflower seeds. Check the label and allergen information on the packaging.
Should I check for sesame and nuts in seeded rye bread?
Yes, if those allergens are relevant to you. The Ekoplaza variety described says it may contain sesame and nuts, so check the information for the specific product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed foods must appear on the label, while information for unpackaged products must be available before purchase.
Does rye bread always contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume that it does. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for the Van der Meulen variety described here, but you’ll need to check the ingredients list for any other rye bread.