Buyers focused on fibre
Hotel buyers who want to offer a verifiably wholemeal bread alongside white bread and compare its nutritional information.
Who is this choice important for?
Buffet managers catering for a range of guests
Managers who want to serve white bread alongside bread with a different texture, so guests can choose for themselves.
Teams responsible for allergen information
Hotel teams serving unpackaged bread who need to make up-to-date information available to guests for every product delivered.
What should you look for when buying?
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I want to offer a verifiably wholemeal option alongside white bread, the product label needs to be accurate. For around 50% of consumers, choosing wholemeal is the top priority. |
| Texture and choice | Consider whether fine, coarse or sliced bread will suit the buffet presentation and how guests will use it. | My guests don’t all prefer the same texture; I want to offer white bread without leaving out the wholemeal option. Catering for different preferences comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Request allergen information for every bread you buy and keep it up to date when products change. | When serving unpackaged bread, I want to be able to tell guests which allergens it contains before they choose. This is the most important requirement for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal
A dark colour or a multigrain label doesn’t confirm that bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Check that the exact product is labelled ‘wholemeal’ before presenting it as wholemeal bread on the buffet.
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Assuming every bread contains iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt to make bread isn’t compulsory. You can’t tell from the type of bread alone whether it has been used.
Read the ingredients list or, for unpackaged bread, ask the baker or supplier which salt was used.
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Not preparing allergen information for unpackaged bread
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to get information about allergens in unpackaged products too. The name of a bread doesn’t replace this information.
Keep the information up to date for every bread delivered and make it clear how guests can access it.
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Applying a nutrition claim to other breads
A claim about the fibre or salt content of one bread doesn’t automatically apply to another recipe or supplier.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact products on the same basis, and check it again whenever the bread supplied changes.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers a range of bread styles in its wholemeal selection.
- Options include round loaves, hearth-baked loaves and toast bread, giving you different styles to compare.
- Check availability for each product and location; some listings are only available in store.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers fine, coarse, round and half wholemeal bread, among other options.
- The different styles help you choose what works for your buffet presentation and preferred bread texture.
- Check which products are available and arrange supply for the hotel in question.
Lidl
Lidl includes bread made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour among its wholemeal options.
- A finer texture could be a useful product feature to compare with white bread.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and local availability of your chosen product.
ALDI
ALDI offers white bread and a range of wholemeal breads, including one product with its own fibre claim.
- The product information gives you a starting point for assessing the nutritional value of a specific variety.
- Don’t apply a claim for that product to the rest of the range; check the current label.
PLUS
PLUS provides nutritional and allergen information for individual wholemeal breads.
- PLUS Boeren wholemeal loaf includes product-specific allergen information, including wheat and soya.
- Ingredients and allergen information can change; use the details for the bread that is actually delivered.
Dirk
Dirk offers a wholemeal batard, among other options, giving you another bread style to compare.
- A batard offers a different shape from a standard sliced loaf.
- Consider whether buying in store works for your hotel’s supply needs; Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service for this product.
Bread options on Joybuy
These breads can add another style to your breakfast buffet. Check the label for each product before presenting it as a wholemeal option.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
For a buffet where bread is baked off and then sliced; allow for oven space and preparation time.
Pack size: two loaves of 550 g. Check the label for the wholemeal claim and the basis used to state the fibre content.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 550 g
For a buffet where you want to bake off and slice a single loaf; check the baking instructions on the packaging before planning preparation.
Pack size: one loaf of 550 g. Also check the wholemeal claim and nutritional information for this variety.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
For a buffet that also wants to offer Lebanese flatbread; consider whether serving it in pieces suits your presentation.
Pack size: 6 P. Check the wholemeal claim and, if serving unpackaged, make product-specific allergen information available.
Frequently asked questions
Is brown or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So check that the bread you actually buy is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
Is Dutch bread always made with iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the ingredients list or ask the supplier which salt was used for the specific bread.
How can you give guests allergen information for unpackaged bread?
Make sure guests can get information about the allergens in every unpackaged bread. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, you can provide it in writing or verbally; if you give the information verbally, make it clear that guests can ask for it.
Can you freeze bread in advance for the buffet?
Follow the storage instructions for the bread in question. For PLUS Boeren wholemeal loaf, PLUS recommends freezing it on the day of purchase and using it within one month; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other breads.