Sugar-conscious organiser
Wants to compare the sugars on the label for a work meeting, without confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’ or ‘less sugar’.
Who is this relevant to?
Organiser who keeps an eye on fibre
Is looking for toast to serve with snacks and wants to take fibre into account too. Albert Heijn’s product information lists more fibre in the wholemeal melba toast discussed than in AH Melba toast naturel, but the same amount of sugars per 100 g.
Organiser who checks allergens
Needs to check which gluten-containing cereals, soya or sesame are in the chosen toast, and whether the packaging carries a ‘may contain’ warning for guests.
What should you look for when choosing?
If sugar is your main concern, start by comparing sugars per 100 g. Then check fibre, salt and allergens in the toast you’re actually planning to serve.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and claims | For similar types of toast, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and check the ingredients list. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for AH Melba toast naturel and the organic sesame variety, alongside 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. | If I want to limit sugars, I need to know the total sugar figure and exactly what a statement about added sugars means. Around 50% of consumers make this their main consideration. |
| Fibre | Compare both fibre and sugars per 100 g for the exact varieties. According to Albert Heijn, Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren contains 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 3.9 g for AH Melba toast naturel. | For a regular work meeting, I want to be able to weigh up the toast’s fibre as well as its sugars. Fibre is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Check the allergens on each pack, including any ‘may contain’ statement, and compare salt per 100 g too. The varieties discussed differ in the allergens they contain and their salt content. | When I serve toast to a group, I need to take guests’ dietary requirements into account. Suitability for a group is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming no added sugars means less sugar
A statement of 0 g of added sugars does not mean the total amount of sugars is lower. According to the product information, each of the melba toasts discussed contains 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the total sugar figure for similar types of toast per 100 g, and don’t take a ‘less sugar’ claim at face value without a clear basis for comparison.
-
Assuming wholemeal means lower in sugar
Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren, but it also contains 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. The higher fibre content does not mean it has a lower sugar figure.
Choose based on the nutritional information that matters for your work meeting, and check fibre and sugars separately.
-
Serving toast to a group without checking allergens
The varieties discussed contain gluten-containing cereals; depending on the variety, they may also contain soya and sesame. A suitable choice for one guest may not be suitable for another.
Ask about relevant dietary requirements in advance, check the current packaging, and keep products with different allergens separate when serving.
-
Assuming salt contains iodine
Voedingscentrum explains the role of bakers’ salt in iodine intake from bread. This does not tell you what type of salt a particular toast contains or how much iodine it provides.
When choosing a product, don’t assume it contains iodine based solely on the word ‘salt’; check the product information for an explicit statement.
Brands to consider
AH
AH offers plain and organic melba toast that can be used as a base for snacks.
- Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 3.2 g of total sugars per 100 g for both varieties discussed.
- The varieties differ in salt content and the allergens they contain; 0 g of added sugars does not mean a lower total sugar figure.
Van der Meulen
Van der Meulen offers plain and wholemeal melba toast for topping or dipping.
- Albert Heijn lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal variety discussed.
- That variety also contains 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g and includes wheat, rye, barley, soya and sesame.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range of toast snacks includes a variety of brands and types.
- The range includes plain, wholemeal and gluten-free toast snacks, among others.
- For a specific choice, check the nutritional information and allergens on the individual product page and packaging.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is toast with 0 g of added sugars also sugar-free?
No. Added sugars and the total shown under ‘of which sugars’ are different figures. Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars for AH Melba toast naturel and the organic sesame variety, but they also contain 3.2 g of sugars per 100 g. So don’t automatically describe them as sugar-free or lower in sugar.
How do I compare the sugars in toast for a work meeting?
Compare similar types of toast per 100 g for ‘of which sugars’, and check the ingredients list too. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing labels per 100 g; serving sizes don’t always provide the same basis for comparison.
Which allergens should I check when serving toast to a group?
Check the allergens on every pack you choose, including any ‘may contain’ statement. The melba toasts discussed contain gluten-containing cereals, and some varieties also contain soya or sesame.
Can I assume that toast in the Netherlands contains iodine from bakers’ salt?
No. The word ‘salt’ on a toast label does not confirm that iodised bakers’ salt was used for that variety. Voedingscentrum explains that bakers’ salt is a source of iodine in bread, but you need explicit product information for a specific type of toast.
How should I store melba toast after opening?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by information on the packaging for your chosen variety. For the plain and organic melba toasts discussed, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed container after opening.