Who is this choice relevant for?

Shoppers avoiding a specific allergen

The word sourdough matters less than the ingredients and allergens in the bread you actually buy. Check any cross-contamination warnings too, and make sure they align with what you need to avoid.

People following a strict gluten-free diet

Regular white sourdough made with gluten-containing grains is not gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that many breads are made with ingredients including wheat, rye, spelt or barley, so check that the finished product is labelled gluten-free.

White sourdough fans who also read the label

If the allergens present are not a concern for you, you can compare the ingredients and nutritional information too. If baker’s salt matters to you, check whether it is listed in the ingredients for this particular bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, its use is not compulsory.

What should you look out for when choosing?

Start with the allergen you need to avoid. Then check whether the information for the specific bread is clear enough, and only after that consider your other preferences.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Avoiding a specific allergen Compare the up-to-date ingredients, allergen information and relevant warnings with what you need to avoid. If I need to avoid, for example, milk, soya or sesame, I want to know what is in this exact loaf. Around 36% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen.
Choosing strictly gluten-free Check that the finished product is labelled gluten-free, and read the other allergen information too. If I’m following a strict gluten-free diet, I can’t rely on the word sourdough. For around 29% of consumers, choosing gluten-free is the first requirement.
Checking fresh or unwrapped bread Before buying, ask for allergen information about the exact loaf and details of any relevant cross-contamination. When choosing bread from a display or in-store bakery, I want a clear answer about the product I’m taking home. Access to this information is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Considering iodine and nutritional information Check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients, and compare the nutritional information if needed. If the allergens are not a concern, I also want to know whether this white sourdough suits my other preferences. Around 14% of consumers make this their main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means gluten-free

    The method of preparation does not rule out gluten-containing grains. For example, PLUS lists wheat, rye and gluten-containing grains in its Korenlanders Desem Wit bread.

    If you need to eat strictly gluten-free, rely on the gluten-free claim on the finished product and check the other allergens as well.

  • Relying only on an old product page

    Ingredients and allergen information can change, so online details may not match the packaging you receive.

    Use the product page to compare options in advance, then read the label on the bread you buy before eating it.

  • Assuming no warning means unwrapped bread is safe

    Allergen information for unwrapped bread is not always shown on packaging. Jumbo also says that cross-contamination cannot always be ruled out for products wrapped in store.

    Before buying, ask for information about that exact loaf and any possible cross-contamination that may affect your choice.

  • Assuming artisan bread always contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of iodised baker’s salt is not compulsory. So terms such as artisan, organic and sourdough do not tell you which salt has been used.

    Check the ingredients or ask the baker which salt is used in that particular bread.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you want to browse white bread and white sourdough in the same online range.

  • Albert Heijn lists white sourdough in its white bread category.
  • A category label does not tell you whether a particular loaf is suitable for avoiding a specific allergen, so check the product label.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to check what is known about cross-contamination in in-store bread.

  • Jumbo provides separate allergen information for its products.
  • Jumbo says that cross-contamination cannot always be ruled out for products wrapped in store.

Lidl

Worth considering if you’re looking at rustic white wheat sourdough from the fresh-from-the-oven range.

  • Lidl describes a rustic white sourdough as wheat bread and provides an ingredients and allergen list for its fresh-from-the-oven range.
  • Check the details for the exact loaf you choose in store.

PLUS

Worth considering if you want to check the listed allergens in a particular white sourdough.

  • PLUS lists wheat, rye and gluten-containing grains, among other ingredients, in Korenlanders Desem Wit.
  • PLUS says this product may also contain soya and sesame, and that product information can change. Check the packaging when you buy it.

Aldi

Worth considering if you’re comparing white bread in a daily fresh bread range.

  • ALDI lists white bread as part of its daily fresh bread range.
  • Check any sourdough separately against the latest product information, including its allergens.

Dirk

Worth considering if you’re also looking at white bake-at-home bread as an alternative.

  • Dirk lists a white bake-at-home product in its bread range.
  • White bake-at-home bread is not necessarily sourdough. Check the name, ingredients and allergens of the product you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

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Frequently asked questions

Is white sourdough automatically gluten-free or suitable for someone with a wheat allergy?

No. Sourdough does not rule out wheat or other gluten-containing grains. If you follow a strict gluten-free diet, check that the finished product is labelled gluten-free. If you have a wheat allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information for wheat too.

How do I check allergens in unwrapped bread?

Before buying, ask for allergen information about the bread you want to take home. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about relevant allergens must also be available to customers for unwrapped foods. Ask for clarification if the information by the shelf is unclear.

Does ‘may contain’ mean an allergen is absent?

No. This wording indicates that the allergen may be present due to cross-contamination; it does not confirm that the product is free from that allergen. For example, Jumbo says it cannot always rule out cross-contamination in products wrapped in store.

Does sourdough bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is iodised, but bakers do not have to use it. Check the ingredients or, for unwrapped bread, ask which salt is used in that particular product.