Shoppers looking for sesame toast to serve with toppings or dips
You want to know how much toast is in a pack and whether you’re actually choosing a sesame variety.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers looking for a wholemeal base
You want to distinguish wholemeal toast from multigrain or regular sesame toast, and compare the nutritional information for the exact variety.
Shoppers who take allergens and salt into account
You’re choosing toast for yourself or your guests, so you check the allergen information and salt content—even when sesame is the flavour you’re after.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for sesame Melba toast or specifically wholemeal toast. Then compare the pack size, nutritional information and allergen details for that variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Check the weight and make sure it’s the type of toast you want; a smaller pack won’t contain the same amount of toast. | When I’m serving toppings and dips, I want to know how much sesame toast I’m buying. Around 42% of consumers prioritise pack size. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare fibre and salt per 100 g for the exact variety. | If I’m looking for wholemeal toast, the type of flour and nutritional value matter more than visible seeds alone. For around 33% of consumers, the wholemeal base is the main priority. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check the salt per 100 g. | When I’m choosing toast for guests, I want to know which allergens it contains first, and assess the salt content alongside the toppings. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all packs are the same size
The AH Biologisch Melba toast met sesamzaadjes listed by Albert Heijn contains 100 g; Van der Meulen Melba Toast Sesam contains 120 g. So these packs don’t contain the same amount of toast.
Check the weight and compare only varieties that suit what you want to serve.
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Assuming organic sesame toast is allergen-free
Albert Heijn lists sesame, soya, barley and wheat among the allergens in its organic sesame Melba toast. An organic certification doesn’t mean the product is free from these allergens.
If you have a relevant allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Assuming seeds mean wholemeal
Van der Meulen Holland lists 5 g of fibre per 100 g for Melba Toast Sesam and 9.7 g for Melba Toast Volkoren. The manufacturer also lists more salt in the wholemeal variety: 1.9 g compared with 1.2 g per 100 g.
Check for the wholemeal label and compare both the fibre and salt content of the varieties you’re considering.
Brands compared
Van der Meulen
Makes Melba Toast in sesame and wholemeal varieties, among others, so you can compare different bases within the same product range.
- Van der Meulen Holland lists 5 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Melba Toast Sesam; Melba Toast Volkoren contains 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g.
- The sesame variety lists sesame, wheat, barley and soya among its allergens. Check the pack if you need to avoid any of these ingredients.
AH Biologisch
Offers organic Melba toast with sesame seeds for anyone looking for that particular combination.
- Albert Heijn describes the 100 g variety as Melba toast with 7% sesame seeds and displays the EU organic logo.
- Albert Heijn also lists sesame, soya, barley and wheat; organic doesn’t mean allergen-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists several Van der Meulen Melba Toast varieties in its range, including plain, sesame, wholemeal and multigrain.
- The different variety names make it easier to decide which type of toast you want first.
- Plain toast isn’t automatically an alternative to seeded toast; check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists a 240 g pack of Melba Toast for in-store purchase.
- The listed pack weight makes it easier to work out in advance how much toast you’ll need.
- Check the exact variety, ingredients and nutritional information in store before choosing it as seeded toast.
Related product on Joybuy
Looking for a crunchy alternative to Melba toast for the same drinks party? You could consider this sesame cracker. It’s a cracker, not toast, so check that it will work with the toppings you plan to serve.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g
A cracker for anyone looking for a crunchy option to serve with toppings alongside Melba toast. Before buying, check the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check on sesame toast if someone has an allergy?
Read the allergen information on the exact pack before serving the toast. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked products; the Van der Meulen sesame toast listed here also contains wheat, barley and soya.
Does wholemeal toast mean more than just a darker colour?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the wholemeal label can only be used for toast if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour. Also check the nutrition table for the variety you choose.
Is seeded toast automatically high in fibre?
No, the presence of seeds doesn’t guarantee a particular fibre content. Van der Meulen Holland lists 5 g of fibre per 100 g for Melba Toast Sesam and 9.7 g per 100 g for Melba Toast Volkoren, so compare the nutritional information for each variety.
Can I assume Dutch toast contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that. The version of the Commodities Act Decree consulted, dated 14 November 2014, defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt, while a risk assessment by RIVM and NVWA describes the use of iodised salt as voluntary. Don’t assume a particular iodine content based on the type of toast.
How should I compare the salt in toast when serving it with toppings?
Compare the salt content of the toast per 100 g and take the toppings you choose into account too. Van der Meulen Holland lists 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for its sesame variety and 1.9 g per 100 g for its wholemeal variety; these figures apply to the toast itself.