For summer drinks, choose toast that lists sesame as an ingredient if you specifically want seeds in your toast. If you’re mainly looking for a wholemeal option, check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If you have an allergy, the current allergen information on the packaging takes priority over the type of toast you want.
For dips or toppings, you’ll want small, crunchy toast with sesame as an actual ingredient. Check the label rather than relying on the picture: for example, Jumbo lists 4% sesame seeds in Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast.
A picture of seeds won’t tell you whether toast is wholemeal. Check the product description and compare the nutritional information of similar products per 100 g, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
If you have an allergy, read the current ingredients list and allergen information. If you also want to check the salt content, compare the value per 100 g: Jumbo lists 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast.
First decide whether you mainly want sesame in your toast for drinks or a wholemeal base for lunch. Then check the allergens and what the packaging says about storage.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Look for the type of seed in the ingredients list and check that the toast is suitable for dips or toppings. | For drinks, I want toast that lists sesame as an ingredient, not just shows it in a picture. Around 31% of consumers put this preference first. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare fibre and salt per 100 g in similar products. | For lunch, I’d rather choose based on a wholemeal base and comparable nutritional values than on visible seeds. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I have a relevant allergy, I need to be able to check that the toast is suitable before serving or eating it. This is the first concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Storage and availability | Check the best-before date and storage instructions, and find out where the option you want is available. | If I’m taking toast on holiday, I want to know how to store the pack and where I can buy the option I want. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Sesame as an ingredient doesn’t automatically make toast wholemeal. You could end up choosing a product that doesn’t meet what you’re looking for at lunchtime.
Check that it’s labelled wholemeal, then compare fibre and salt per 100 g.
Sesame is also an allergen. Other allergens or warnings about possible cross-contamination may also be relevant for toast.
Before buying, read the current allergen information on the packaging, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Serving sizes can vary between products, making differences in fibre and salt per serving less obvious.
Compare similar toast products per 100 g, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and also check the ingredients and allergens.
A product may appear on a product page but not be available to order online. For example, Lidl lists its party toast as available in store only.
Before setting off, check where you can buy the option you want, especially if you can’t easily switch because of ingredients or allergens.
Melba Volkoren Toast 120 g is a specific option to consider if you’re looking for both wholemeal wheat flour and sesame in the ingredients.
Toast Volkoren 90 g is worth comparing if a wholemeal base matters more to you than sesame as an ingredient.
Boeren Granen & Zaden Beschuit and Vezelrijk Meerzaden Beschuit are crunchy alternatives for breakfast or lunch.
Albert Heijn’s toast range includes Van der Meulen Melba toast sesam and AH Biologisch Melba toast met sesamzaadjes.
Lidl lists party toast in plain and sesame varieties, as well as Melba toast.
If you’re also considering a crunchy alternative for summer drinks, take a look at this sesame cracker. It isn’t toast, so check that it suits the way you want to serve it.
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A sesame cracker for anyone considering a different crunchy snack to serve with drinks alongside toast.
190 g pack. If you have an allergy, read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging.
No. Check separately whether the toast is labelled wholemeal and what’s in the ingredients list. Then compare fibre and salt per 100 g if you’re choosing between similar products.
Read the current allergen information before buying or serving sesame toast. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on declaring allergens on labels. Also check for any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging you choose. For Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast, Jumbo advises storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place.
Not without checking availability. Jumbo lists Jos Poell Toast Volkoren as no longer available online, while Lidl lists its party toast as available in store only. Before setting off, check which shopping option is available for the product you’ve chosen.
