For everyday sandwiches or toasties, a half or whole white casino or tin loaf could suit you, provided the slices are right for what you want to make. The loaf shape doesn’t tell you whether the slices are medium-thick. If you eat bread regularly, compare the fibre per 100 g too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible. Check the latest label for ingredients and allergens, or ask for information about unwrapped bread.
If you regularly make filled sandwiches or toasties, both the slice thickness and the size of the loaf matter. A half loaf may be a better fit if you use fewer slices at a time; check separately that the slices are the thickness you want.
If you want to stick with white bread but keep an eye on its nutritional value, compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. The colour of the bread alone won’t tell you how much fibre a particular variety contains.
If you need to check for allergens, the information for the specific loaf matters more than its general name. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information for packaged products must be available on the label, and for unwrapped products it must be provided by the seller.
Start with the slice thickness you need for your sandwiches. Then choose the loaf size and compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the remaining options.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and loaf size | Check whether the loaf is sliced, how thick the slices look and whether a half or whole loaf suits how much you eat. Casino or tin loaf describes the shape, not the thickness of the slices. | For everyday sandwiches or toasties, I want slices that suit my fillings and how I plan to use them. For around 46% of consumers, slice thickness and loaf size come first. |
| Fibre and type of bread | Compare the fibre per 100 g on the label and decide whether you want white, brown or wholemeal bread. Jumbo lists 2,3 g of fibre per 100 g for its Casino Wit Brood Half; this value applies to that product. | If I eat bread often, I want to take fibre into account without judging by colour alone. Around 27% of consumers give this nutritional choice top priority. |
| Label and storage | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific loaf, ask about allergens in unwrapped bread, and choose a size you can use in time or freeze in part. | If I need to check ingredients or won’t finish the bread quickly, I want to know what I’m buying and how I’ll store it before I buy. These checks matter most to around 27% of consumers. |
Half and whole describe the size of the loaf; casino and tin loaf describe its shape. None of these terms tells you how thick an individual slice is.
Check the slices on the packaging or in store, or ask in the bakery section before choosing a loaf for sandwiches or toasties.
On 30 December 2008, Overheid.nl reported in the Government Gazette on efforts to encourage the use of iodised salt in bread-making. According to brood.net, using iodine-containing baker’s salt is not a legal requirement, so a general assumption about every loaf is no substitute for product information.
If the iodine content matters to your choice, read the ingredients list and ask the seller or manufacturer if anything is unclear.
Nutritional information varies by product. Jumbo lists 2,3 g of fibre per 100 g for Casino Wit Brood Half and 7,3 g per 100 g for a separate white variety with extra fibre; these products are not interchangeable.
Compare the fibre per 100 g in the loaves you can actually buy. If you’re weighing up different types of bread more broadly, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible.
A whole loaf may not be the best fit if you won’t use the slices in time. Even if you freeze it, the storage instructions for the specific loaf still matter.
If necessary, choose a half loaf or freeze some of it in good time. Follow the storage advice on the packaging and don’t eat mouldy bread.
These supermarket and bakery ranges give you an idea of the shapes and sizes you may come across. Always check the slice thickness, nutritional information and ingredients for the specific loaf.
Albert Heijn describes a soft white casino loaf in a half size as part of its Extra lang lekker range.
Jumbo lists products including Casino Wit Brood Half, as well as a separate white variety with extra fibre.
PLUS lists products including Casino wit half and Rond wit half in its white bread range.
Lidl describes an 800 g white bread product for in-store purchase.
ALDI describes a whole white tin loaf with a soft crumb.
Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker casino white loaves in whole and half sizes.
Check the slices on the packaging or in store, or ask in the bakery section about the specific loaf. Terms such as half, whole, casino and tin loaf don’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Don’t assume that all Dutch bread contains iodine-containing baker’s salt. On 30 December 2008, Overheid.nl reported in the Government Gazette on an agreement to encourage the use of iodised salt; according to brood.net, its use isn’t a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt matters for your purchase.
Ask the seller for allergen information about the specific unwrapped loaf before you buy it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unwrapped food; for prepacked bread, check the label.
Choose a size you can use within your usual eating and storage routine. A half loaf may be more practical if you only eat a few slices at a time; if you want to freeze some, follow the instructions on the packaging.
Compare the fibre per 100 g of each loaf rather than judging by colour. If you’re also reconsidering which type of bread to choose, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with brown or wholemeal bread as much as possible.
