Anyone who wants to make a sandwich or toastie straight away
A pre-sliced square white loaf is handy if you want a soft slice to top without having to cut the bread yourself. Check separately that the slices are the medium thickness you want.
Who is this bread for?
Anyone who only uses a few slices
There’s often bread left over after a late-night snack. A half loaf or a product with suitable freezing advice may be a better fit for how much you use. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Anyone who reads labels carefully
If you have questions about allergens or baker’s salt, the information for the bread you choose matters more than the type of bread or the shop’s name for it. Check the current ingredients and allergen information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need a slice that’s ready to top straight away. Then compare the size and label of the bread you actually want to buy.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to use and slice thickness | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the packaging or shelf label says it is medium-sliced. A whole loaf still needs slicing; bake-at-home bread needs preparing. | If I want to make a sandwich or toastie straight away, I want to know in advance whether the slices are the right thickness. Around 44% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Size and storage | Compare a half loaf with a whole loaf, and read the storage advice and any freezing instructions for the specific product. | If I only use a few slices, I want to be able to store the rest without throwing away bread unnecessarily. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| Label and type of bread | Read the allergen and ingredient information, including whether baker’s salt is listed. If you eat it regularly, check the nutritional information and type of bread too. | If the ingredients matter to my choice, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘white bread’ alone. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every casino loaf is medium-sliced
‘Casino’ doesn’t automatically tell you how thickly the bread is sliced. A loaf sold as whole may not be pre-sliced either.
Check the packaging, shelf label or product page for details of how the specific loaf you’re choosing is sliced.
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Assuming all white bread contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it has been used from the bread’s colour or shape.
Check the ingredients if baker’s salt matters to your choice.
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Assuming you can tell which allergens are present from the type of bread
Ingredients vary from product to product and can change. White bread may contain allergens other than wheat.
Always check the current label on the bread you’re buying, especially if you have a food allergy.
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Choosing a whole loaf without a plan for storing it
If you only use a few slices, a whole loaf will leave you with more bread than you need for your snack.
Consider a half loaf, or check whether the packaging gives instructions for freezing individual portions. Always follow the storage advice on the product label.
White bread brands to consider
These examples show how different shops describe their white bread. Check the slicing details and label for each individual product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes its own-brand whole casino white loaf as suitable for toasties and club sandwiches.
- The product page includes details such as ingredients, allergens and freezing advice.
- It is described as a whole loaf, which doesn’t confirm that it is pre-sliced or medium-sliced.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including a half casino white loaf and a half white toastie loaf.
- A half loaf is an option to consider if you don’t use many slices.
- Check the slicing details, ingredients and allergens for each product.
Lidl
Lidl describes an 800 g white loaf as a product available in store.
- The stated weight helps you assess the size.
- Check in store whether the bread is sliced, and read the packaging for the rest of the product information.
ALDI
ALDI describes a whole, tin-shaped white loaf with a soft crumb.
- The tin shape is worth considering if you want to make a regular sandwich.
- A whole white loaf isn’t necessarily pre-sliced or medium-sliced.
PLUS
PLUS lists products including whole and half casino white loaves, alongside other types of white bread.
- The whole and half loaves give you different sizes to compare.
- The type and size of the loaf don’t tell you how thickly it is sliced. Check the information for the product you choose.
Dirk
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker casino white loaves in both half and whole sizes in its bread range.
- You can compare a half loaf with a whole loaf in this range.
- Check the individual product details to see whether it comes in the medium-sliced thickness you want.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is white bread always made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. Check the label or ask the baker which ingredients were used to make the bread.
Should I check the allergens in white bread?
Yes, especially if you have a food allergy: allergens vary from one loaf to another. Read the current packaging for the product you’re buying, rather than relying on the words ‘white bread’ alone.
What should I do with the rest if I only eat a few slices?
Follow the storage advice for the bread you choose, and consider a half loaf if that better suits how much you use. Albert Heijn says its Extra lang lekker casino wit heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Check the packaging for any other bread you buy.
Is white bread a sensible choice if I eat it every day?
If you eat bread daily, look beyond convenience and slice thickness. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible. For an occasional late-night snack, you can weigh up the slicing style, size and ingredients of the specific loaf.