Which pack is best for you?

Families who serve toast regularly

If a pack needs to last for several snacks, smaller inner bags are worth considering as well as the total weight. Albert Heijn lists AH Melba Toast Original as containing 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast.

Parents who need to consider allergens

Before packing it, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The melba toast varieties mentioned contain wheat, barley and soya; also look for any warnings about other allergens and check the rules at your child’s school or childcare setting.

Families comparing nutritional information

For a snack for your child, compare the fibre and salt content per 100 g of the specific varieties. Choosing toast is only one part of the snack; it also matters what else is eaten with it.

What should you look for when buying?

Start by thinking about how often you’ll open the pack. Then check that the ingredients are suitable for your child, and only after that compare the nutritional information of the varieties you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Portions and storage Check the weight and the number of inner bags. Albert Heijn lists its 240 g melba toast as containing 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast; once opened, follow the storage instructions on the pack. I want to serve toast on different days without opening the whole pack straight away. Around 40% of consumers prioritise portioning and storage above all else.
Allergens and school rules Read the current ingredients list, including the grains listed and any warnings about possible traces. Ask your child’s school or childcare setting what rules apply to snacks brought from home. If I pack toast for my child, it needs to be suitable for them to eat and comply with the school’s rules. This suitability is the most important factor for around 30% of consumers.
Fibre and salt Compare both values per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists Van der Meulen Melba Toast Wholemeal as containing 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. When choosing a snack, I want to look beyond the name of the toast, as nutritional information varies between varieties. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the weight of a family pack

    A 240 g pack doesn’t necessarily contain individually wrapped portions. That makes a difference if you want to serve the toast on several occasions.

    Check the inner packaging and storage instructions, not just the total weight.

  • Assuming melba toast contains only wheat

    The varieties mentioned also list other ingredients or warnings about possible traces, including soya, barley and sesame. A product that’s suitable for one child may not be suitable for another.

    Check the current allergen information every time you buy, and make sure it meets your child’s needs and the rules at their school or childcare setting.

  • Assuming wholemeal means it’s the better nutritional choice

    Albert Heijn lists Van der Meulen Melba Toast Wholemeal as containing 9.7 g of fibre, but also 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. The variety name is no substitute for comparing the values that matter to you.

    Compare the nutritional information on the specific packs, using the same 100 g basis each time.

  • Assuming all toast contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt has been used in a specific variety just from the product category.

    Check the ingredients on the pack if the type of salt used is important to your choice.

Comparing brands and supermarket ranges

Albert Heijn

AH Melba Toast Original is a specific example of a family pack: Albert Heijn lists it as 240 g, split into 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast.

  • The inner bags let you open the pack in stages.
  • According to Albert Heijn, this original variety contains wheat, barley and soya, among other ingredients, and may also contain other listed allergens. Check the pack before giving the toast to a child.

Van der Meulen

The original, wholemeal and multigrain melba toast varieties mentioned have different ingredients and come in 120 g packs.

  • Albert Heijn lists the wholemeal variety as containing 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g; Jumbo lists 7.5 g per 100 g for the multigrain variety.
  • Albert Heijn also lists the wholemeal variety as containing 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. Compare the allergens for the specific variety too.

ALDI / Sun Snacks

ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Original in a 240 g pack.

  • The listed weight makes this variety worth considering if you’re looking for a larger pack for the family.
  • Check the current ingredients, allergens and any inner packaging in store before you decide.

Lidl

Lidl lists 240 g melba toast as a product in its range.

  • The listed weight gives you a useful comparison if you’re looking for a large pack.
  • Check the current pack in store for portion sizes, ingredients and allergens; the product listing doesn’t tell you how often you can open it separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s toast range includes Van der Meulen Melba Toast Original in a 120 g pack.

  • The original variety gives you a smaller pack to compare with a family pack.
  • According to Jumbo, this Van der Meulen variety contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame. Check the current pack before use.

Toast on Joybuy for this occasion

These products offer two different pack formats to consider for a child’s snack: Thinmax Golden Danish Toast at 85 g × 4 and a 240 g pack of melba toast. The stated weights alone don’t tell you whether the toast is individually wrapped inside.

Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 85 g × 4

Thinmax Golden Danish Toast 85 g × 4

An option if you’re looking for toast to serve over several snacks. The product name lists 85 g × 4; this is Danish toast, not melba toast.

Check the pack to see how the toast is divided inside and whether the ingredients, including the listed wheat, milk, egg, soya and sesame, are suitable for your child.

View on Joybuy
Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g

Crispy Melba Toast 240 g

A 240 g pack of melba toast for anyone looking for a larger supply. Check the inner packaging if you don’t want to open the whole pack at once.

The listed ingredients and allergen statement contradict each other. If your child needs to avoid allergens, don’t base your choice on this conflicting information: check the current packaging and the rules at their school or childcare setting.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a child who needs to avoid gluten eat regular melba toast?

The regular melba toast varieties mentioned here contain wheat or other gluten-containing grains, so they aren’t suitable. When checking an alternative, read the current labelling, check for other allergens and make sure it meets your child’s needs and the requirements of their school or childcare setting.

Does toast always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check the pack to see which salt is listed for that particular toast.

How should I store a large pack of toast once it’s open?

Follow the storage instructions on the specific pack and seal any opened toast well. For AH Melba Toast Original, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin once opened; leave any unopened inner bags sealed until you need them.

What should I look for when choosing toast as a snack for children?

Look at the specific ingredients and nutritional information, as well as what else your child will eat with the snack. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests options such as vegetables and fruit for snacks, so a particular type of toast doesn’t need to define the whole snack.