Who might find a half loaf useful?

Those planning a small picnic

If you’re buying for one or a few people, a half pack makes it easier to match the amount to your picnic. If you’d like to keep any slices, check the freezing instructions on the loaf too.

Fans of filled sandwiches

If you’d like to take soft slices with you, a round or casino half loaf could be worth considering. Compare the product description and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy.

White bread buyers who check the label

If you want to compare fibre, salt or ingredients, the nutritional information for the specific loaf is more useful than the term ‘white bread’ alone. If you have an allergy or want to know whether it contains iodised salt, check the current ingredients list too.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how much bread to take and what you’ll do with any leftover slices. Then compare the shape of the loaf, its label and the ways you can buy it.

What to consider What to check Who is this important for?
Quantity and leftovers Check that it’s a half loaf, how many portions the pack lists and what the freezing instructions say. If I’m taking bread for a small group, I don’t want to be left with an unexpected whole loaf at home. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing leftovers.
Loaf shape and crust Compare the descriptions of the crumb and crust, such as soft casino bread versus tiger bread with a crunchy crust. For filled sandwiches, I want slices that suit the way I plan to pack and eat my lunch. A soft slice that’s easy to fill comes first for around 29% of consumers.
Nutritional information and ingredients Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the loaf you’ve chosen. If I’m taking bread for other people, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the pack. For around 21% of consumers, checking the label is their top priority.
Access to shops Check whether you can get the half loaf from your preferred shop or using your preferred ordering method. If I can’t get to a shop, I want to know whether I can order the bread in a way that suits me. For around 14% of consumers, convenience is the biggest consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Taking a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    After a small picnic, you could be left with uneaten slices. The Dutch Bakery Centre highlights bread waste as something to consider.

    Choose an amount that suits the number of people eating. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread you want to keep in portions as soon as you buy it.

  • Assuming all white half loaves are the same

    Nutritional information varies by product: Jumbo lists 1.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Rond Wit Half, while PLUS lists 2.4 g of fibre per 100 g for Boeren wit half.

    Always compare nutritional values per 100 g, and read the ingredients list for the loaf you choose.

  • Assuming you know the ingredients from the bread’s name

    ‘White’ or ‘tiger’ won’t tell you which allergens or type of salt are listed on the label of a specific pack. Product labels can also change.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information before buying, even if you’ve bought the loaf before.

Brands to compare

These product examples show the packaging, loaf shape and label information you can compare for each brand; they are not a review of the full range.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Extra lang lekker tijger wit half and AH Tijger wit half.

  • The Extra lang lekker variety lists 11 portions and says the bread can be frozen on the day of purchase.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Tijger wit half has a crunchy tiger crust; check that it suits the sandwiches you want to take with you.

Jumbo

Jumbo Rond Wit Half is described as a half loaf of white wheat bread.

  • The pack lists approximately 11 portions, which can help when planning for a small group.
  • Jumbo lists 1.6 g of fibre per 100 g for this specific loaf; compare the nutritional information if fibre is important to you.

Lidl

Lidl lists Halfje boerenwit sesam as a loaf that’s only available in store.

  • The product name makes it clear that it’s a half loaf with sesame.
  • Check the pack in store for the weight, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

ALDI

The white tin loaf variety described by ALDI is a whole loaf.

  • A whole loaf could be worth considering if you’re catering for more people.
  • If a whole loaf is too much, look specifically for a half pack instead.

PLUS

PLUS lists Boeren wit half and Korenlanders Boeren tijger wit half, weighing 400 g.

  • PLUS says the Korenlanders tiger variety can be frozen on the day of purchase.
  • PLUS Boeren wit half lists wheat, soya and milk as allergens; check the current label when you buy it.

Dirk

Dirk describes Bakker van der Akker Casino wit half as soft and light.

  • The description of its soft crumb gives you a useful indication if you’re planning to make filled sandwiches.
  • Check the pack for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information that matter to you.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

How should I store slices left over after the picnic?

Freeze any bread you want to keep in portions as soon as you buy it, and only take as much as you expect to eat. This follows the storage advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre; also follow the instructions on the pack of your loaf.

Which nutritional information should I compare for a white half loaf?

Compare values such as fibre and salt per 100 g, so you’re using the same amount of bread as a basis for comparison. Also read the ingredients list: two products being the same type of bread doesn’t mean they have the same ingredients.

Can I assume that white half loaves use the same source of iodine?

No, check the ingredients list for the specific loaf. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for one half loaf that was examined, while the Jumbo and PLUS loaves examined list bakers’ salt. Don’t assume what’s listed based on the name ‘white bread’ alone.

What should I check if allergens are important?

Read the current allergen and ingredients information on the pack you buy. The white half loaves mentioned list different allergens, including wheat, soya, milk and sesame, and may also carry different warnings about traces. The shape of the loaf isn’t a reliable guide.