Who might find this choice useful?

If you’re looking for extra texture

If you want to serve bread alongside Asian-inspired toppings or dishes, and seeds are an important part of the bite you’re after, look for seeds in the ingredients list rather than just on the crust.

If you want to be sure it’s wholemeal

A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ isn’t enough for you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking for a wholemeal label on packaged bread. The ingredients list can then help you assess your choice.

If you need to check allergens or the salt used

If sesame, soya, nuts or cereals containing gluten matter to anyone you’re serving, check the latest allergen information. If you want to know whether baker’s salt has been used, check the ingredients list too.

What should you look for?

Start by checking that it’s labelled wholemeal. Then decide whether you want seeds in the bread itself, and check any information that matters to your guests before serving.

What to check What to look for when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base For packaged bread, look for the wholemeal label and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. Ask about the ingredients of unwrapped bread. I want to serve wholemeal bread, not a dark loaf that only looks or sounds wholemeal. For around 42% of consumers, this reassurance is the deciding factor.
Seeds in the bread Check which seeds are listed as ingredients. Only compare a stated seed percentage with the percentage for the same type of seed. For dinner, I’m mainly looking for a satisfying bite from the bread itself, without having to add seeds separately. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this seeded texture.
Allergens and salt Check the latest allergen information or ask about it for unwrapped bread. If needed, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients. Before sharing bread, I need to know whether the ingredients are suitable for my guests. The salt used may also affect my choice. For roughly 25% of consumers, this is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal

    The colour and seeds on the crust don’t tell you which types of flour were used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that multigrain isn’t the same as wholemeal. Albert Heijn says waldkorn bread can be made with white flour, wholemeal flour or a combination of the two.

    For packaged bread, check the wholemeal label and ingredients list. Ask about the ingredients of unwrapped bread.

  • Missing allergens by looking only at the visible seeds

    Seeded bread may contain ingredients or traces that you can’t see on the crust. Allergen information varies from one loaf to another.

    Check the latest packaging every time you buy. For unwrapped bread, ask about allergens and possible cross-contamination before you buy.

  • Assuming all wholemeal bread contains baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. The word ‘organic’ won’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular loaf either.

    If the salt used matters to your choice, check the latest ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without considering portions

    A whole loaf may be more than you want to serve for one meal.

    Choose a size that suits your guests. If you want to keep some for later, check the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands and shops to explore

Compare individual loaves using their own labels: a shop name alone won’t tell you about the seed mix, allergens or salt used.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists, among other options, an organic wholemeal sunflower seed batard and a wholemeal spelt loaf with sunflower seeds.

  • The product information lists ingredients, so you can assess the seeds in each loaf individually.
  • Check the latest packaging for allergens and salt. Organic doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf does or doesn’t contain baker’s salt.

Jumbo

Jumbo states that its Stevig Volkoren Zonnepit contains 11.1% sunflower seeds and 49.2% wholemeal wheat flour.

  • The stated seed percentage gives you a clear idea of the sunflower seed content in this particular loaf.
  • Check the latest allergen information. Jumbo says this loaf contains cereals with gluten and may contain traces of nuts and sesame.

PLUS

PLUS Boeren Volkoren is an example of a plain wholemeal base if you’d rather add seeds to your dish yourself.

  • The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour and baker’s salt.
  • Check the latest label for ingredients and allergens. Don’t assume this loaf is seeded bread.

Lidl

Lidl distinguishes wholemeal bread within its bread range and displays a fibre meter on packaged loaves.

  • The fibre meter can help you compare the stated amount of fibre per 100 g on different packs.
  • Still check the wholemeal label, ingredients and allergens for the particular seeded loaf you choose.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes separate categories for wholemeal and multigrain bread.

  • This gives you a starting point when looking for a wholemeal option.
  • Check the packaging of each loaf you choose to confirm it’s wholemeal and see which seeds and allergens it contains.

Wholemeal bread on Joybuy

This bread suits you if you want a wholemeal base and would rather add seeds or other flavourings separately at dinner. If you’re looking for seeds in the bread itself, choose a loaf that lists them as ingredients.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g

A round wholemeal loaf for anyone who wants to add texture from seeds separately to an Asian dinner.

The loaf weighs 550 g. Defrost it before use, then bake for 11–13 minutes at 220 °C in a fan oven. Follow the instructions on the packaging too.

Check the latest allergen information and which salt has been used if these matter to your choice.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify seeded wholemeal bread?

For packaged bread, first look for the wholemeal label, then check which seeds are listed in the ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal, and a dark colour doesn’t prove it either.

Are seeds on the crust enough if I want extra texture from seeds?

Not if you’re specifically looking for seeds in the bread itself. Seeds on the crust don’t tell you which seeds are in the dough, so check the ingredients list and any stated seed percentage.

Does wholemeal bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients of the loaf you want to buy, even if it’s labelled wholemeal or organic.

How do I check allergens in unwrapped seeded bread?

Before buying, ask about allergens in the specific loaf and possible cross-contamination if that matters to your guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information is shown on the label of pre-packed bread.