If slice thickness is important for generously filled sandwiches, whole or unsliced bread gives the canteen control over how it is cut. Pre-sliced bread can make serving quicker, but check the slice size if you need a thick slice. Whichever option you choose, check the nutritional information and the latest allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about allergens present in unpackaged food must be available before purchase.
If you make sandwiches with plenty of filling, or a moist filling, you’ll want to match the slice to what goes inside. A whole loaf lets you choose the thickness yourself. For pre-sliced bread, ask about the slice size rather than trying to work it out from the product name.
For teams choosing wholemeal as the basis for lunch, the product description matters more than its colour or a name such as ‘hearty’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as a type of bread that contains fibre. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for specific products.
For unpackaged bread and prepared sandwiches, information about allergens present must be available before purchase, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Use the latest information for each type of bread, and check it again if the product or supplier changes.
First decide whether the canteen needs to choose the thickness of each slice. Then compare wholemeal options, how lunch is served and the allergen information guests need.
Best when: the canteen wants to match the slice thickness to generously filled sandwiches.
The trade-off: slicing takes time and calls for a consistent method to ensure even portions.
Best when: quick service and ready-cut portions are the priority.
The trade-off: terms such as ‘fine’, ‘coarse’ and ‘hearty’ don’t confirm a particular slice thickness.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and fillings | Check whether the bread is whole or unsliced, or ask about the slice size if it’s pre-sliced. Try a slice with the filling you plan to use. | For generously filled sandwiches, I want to choose the thickness of the slice myself. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers choosing canteen bread. |
| Wholemeal bread and nutritional information | Check the wholemeal description, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g for the products you’re comparing. | If bread is on the lunch menu every day, I want to know which product is wholemeal. Wholemeal is the top priority for around 29% of consumers choosing canteen bread. |
| Serving and portions | Compare whole and pre-sliced bread, and decide how much time there is for slicing during lunch service. | During a busy service, I want to prepare portions without having to keep slicing. This way of working comes first for around 21% of consumers choosing canteen bread. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the latest allergen information for each type of bread and how guests can access it before purchase. | When serving unpackaged bread, I want to be able to tell guests about allergens present. This is the main concern when buying for around 14% of consumers choosing canteen bread. |
Words such as ‘coarse’, ‘hearty’ and ‘stone-baked’ don’t tell you how thick a pre-sliced piece of bread is. The bread may not work as expected with the filling you have in mind.
Specify the slice thickness you need and try it with the actual filling. Otherwise, choose a whole loaf or ask the supplier for a product specification.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between types of bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about allergens present in unpackaged food must be available before purchase.
Keep the latest information for each type of bread and check it again if the product, recipe or supplier changes.
A whole loaf gives you the freedom to choose how it’s sliced, but the canteen also needs to decide how much to cut for lunch and how to store the rest.
Plan your slicing around expected demand and follow the storage instructions for the exact product.
Slicing it yourself also takes time and requires cutting equipment during preparation.
Whether bread contains iodised baker’s salt depends on the ingredients of that specific product; the type of bread alone doesn’t tell you.
Check the ingredients list or ask the supplier about the composition of the bread the canteen actually buys.
The wholemeal range includes options such as stone-baked loaves, round loaves and toast bread.
Jumbo lists wholemeal bread in styles including fine, coarse and hearty, as well as wholemeal toast bread.
Lidl describes both freshly baked and pre-packed bread.
The daily fresh range includes whole and half wholemeal loaves, including fine wholemeal bread.
PLUS Boeren volkoren heel is one example with ingredients, allergen and storage information available online.
Dirk lists options including a wholemeal stone-baked loaf.
Buy a whole or unsliced loaf if the canteen needs to choose the slice thickness itself. If you use pre-sliced bread, ask about the slice size in advance and try a slice with the filling you plan to serve.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about allergens present in unpackaged products must be available before purchase. Make sure guests can access the latest information for the bread you serve, including when you use it to make filled sandwiches.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you actually buy, and slice only what you need for lunch service. For example, PLUS says to store its Boeren volkoren heel in a cool, dark place and to freeze it on the day of purchase. Don’t apply those instructions to another loaf without checking.
