Choose white bread for sandwiches only once you’ve confirmed that the exact variant is sliced and that the slice suits the lunch you’re preparing; whole, half or casino-style loaves tell you nothing about slice thickness. For a regular canteen menu, also compare the fibre content per 100 g and consider offering wholemeal or brown bread as a separate choice, as recommended by Voedingscentrum. Check the allergens, ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging you receive.
For them, confirmed sliced bread, a practical loaf size and clear storage instructions all matter. According to its bread range, Jumbo offers both whole loaves and sliced bread, so check the variant you choose.
They want to cater for people who prefer white bread while offering wholemeal or brown bread as a separate choice. Voedingscentrum highlights differences in fibre and other nutrients between these types of bread.
They need to be able to identify the ingredients and allergens in the bread actually being served, including any warnings on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling requirements for prepacked foods.
First, check that the variant you’ve chosen is sliced and looks suitable for the fillings you plan to use. Then compare the nutritional information, loaf size and label for each product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing and preparation time | Look for the word “sliced” on the exact variant. Check whether the slices suit the fillings you plan to use. | When I’m making lots of sandwiches during the lunchtime rush, I don’t want to have to slice every loaf first. For around 27% of consumers, pre-sliced bread is the top priority. |
| Fibre and choice of bread | Compare the fibre content per 100 g on current labels and consider wholemeal or brown bread as a separate choice. Voedingscentrum describes differences in fibre and nutrients. | For a regular lunch menu, I want to be able to compare fibre values without treating white and wholemeal bread as the same. For around 27% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Loaf size and waste | Choose whole or half loaves to suit expected lunchtime demand, and check the date and storage instructions on the bread you receive. | When lunchtime demand varies, I want to choose a loaf size that matches expected demand, so there’s less bread left over. For around 20% of consumers, quantity comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the label for ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings. If you need to know about iodine, check whether the variant contains iodised salt or bakers’ salt. | When I serve bread or sandwiches, I want to be able to tell guests about any relevant allergens. For around 26% of consumers, this product information is a priority. |
These descriptions don’t confirm how thickly the bread is sliced. If it turns out to be unsliced, preparing sandwiches takes extra work.
Check that the exact variant is labelled as sliced, and see whether the slice works with the fillings your canteen plans to use.
Voedingscentrum explains that white bread differs from wholemeal and brown bread in its fibre content and other nutrients. A preference for white bread doesn’t make these types interchangeable.
Compare the fibre content per 100 g and, if you wish, offer wholemeal or brown bread as a separate choice.
Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt, but this doesn’t confirm that every white loaf contains iodised salt.
Use the information for the variant you actually receive when communicating allergen details, and check the ingredients list if the type of salt used is important.
Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary by store. As a result, a type of bread listed online may not be available to buy from every outlet.
Confirm the variant you’ve chosen and the quantity you need when placing your order.
Albert Heijn has an online category for white bread, including sliced variants.
Jumbo lists whole and half loaves, both unsliced and sliced.
ALDI includes white bread in its fresh daily bread range, alongside other types of bread.
Lidl offers oven-fresh bread, among other products, and says its fresh range can vary by store.
PLUS lists whole and half loaves among the products in its white bread category.
A canteen must be able to tell consumers about allergens in the food it serves. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. If you serve unpackaged bread or sandwiches, make sure guests can access this information before eating.
You can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients list for the bread you’ve chosen to see whether it contains iodised salt or bakers’ salt.
Follow the storage instructions and date on the packaging of the bread you receive. For example, a white loaf from Jumbo says to store it in a cool, dry, dark place and gives a use-by date on the closure clip. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to another product.
No. Calling a white loaf “extra fibre” doesn’t automatically make it wholemeal bread. Compare the ingredients and fibre content per 100 g for the products you’ve chosen. Voedingscentrum treats wholemeal and brown bread as separate choices alongside white bread.
