If you want to replace white bread at a conference lunch, choose bread for the main lunch service that is labelled ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging of the specific variety you select. Sliced bread is handy for making lots of sandwiches; individual rolls work well when serving one at a time, but may need more preparation. Check the allergen information for the full range, and offer a separate, clearly labelled product for guests who need to eat gluten-free.
Wants to replace white bread at a conference lunch and is looking for a recognisable wholemeal product that can be served as sandwiches or on a buffet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says to check for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
Chooses bread, fillings and other lunch items, and needs to be able to tell guests which allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that this information must also be available for unpackaged foods.
Buys food for a set lunch time and matches the type of bread and storage method to the planned portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you intend to use it later.
First, decide which type of bread best suits the way it will be served. Then check the exact variety, including its wholemeal labelling and allergen information. A separate gluten-free option needs its own product check.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal status | Check that the exact variety is labelled ‘wholemeal’. Compare fibre information on a like-for-like basis only, for example per 100 g. | I want to replace white bread without assuming that dark or multigrain bread is automatically wholemeal; an estimated 36% of consumers prioritise verifiable wholemeal status. |
| Allergens and gluten-free options | Check the latest allergen information for both the bread and the fillings. Identify a gluten-free product separately if a guest requests one. | When guests have different dietary requirements, I want to be able to check which allergens are present in every item served; an estimated 29% of consumers say this is their main concern. |
| Serving and storage | Choose sliced bread or individual rolls to suit the time and way you plan to serve them. Check the storage instructions before freezing portions in advance. | For a lunch served at a set time, I want to prepare portions without ending up with unnecessary leftovers; around 21% of consumers prioritise this planning. |
| How you buy | For the variety you choose, check whether delivery, collection or an in-store purchase works best for the conference venue. | When buying bread for a venue, the chosen shopping option needs to suit the quantity required and the collection or delivery time; around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
The colour, seeds or ‘multigrain’ label do not confirm that the variety you choose is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
Check the label or product specifications for the exact bread that will be delivered.
A filled sandwich or buffet includes more than just bread. Allergen information must also be available for the other items served.
Record the information guests need for each combination you offer, and update it if the ingredients change.
A set lunch time means deciding whether to serve the bread straight away or store it in advance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bread may become drier if stored in the freezer for longer periods.
Plan the portions you need and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose if you intend to freeze it.
Albert Heijn’s online range includes several types of wholemeal bread, as well as a separate gluten-free bread category.
Jumbo’s online range includes several wholemeal breads and a separate range of gluten-free bread.
PLUS lists products including wholemeal bread, with information about allergens and storage.
Dirk lists products including wholemeal floor bread, available in store.
ALDI lists fine wholemeal sliced bread, available in store.
Lidl lists products including wholemeal wheat sourdough bread and wholemeal rolls, available in store.
These bread options suit different ways of serving lunch: portions of rye bread, Lebanese wholemeal bread and a round wholemeal loaf that needs preparing. Before finalising your menu, check the packaging of each product you choose and make sure it meets your guests’ requirements.
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An option if you want to serve bread individually. Check the current packaging to see whether this rye bread meets your wholemeal requirements and which allergens are listed.
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This format could work well when serving individual portions at a buffet. Check that the bread goes with your planned fillings, and refer to the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
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An option if you have time to prepare the bread before lunch. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and check the allergen information on the packaging of the variety delivered.
Check that the word ‘wholemeal’ appears on the packaging or in the product specifications for the exact variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for this label; don’t rely on the colour or the presence of seeds alone.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available to guests for unpackaged foods. For filled rolls, check the fillings and other items served too, not just the bread.
No. Wholemeal wheat bread is not a gluten-free alternative: wheat is a grain that contains gluten. Choose a separate product labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging and allergen information for that variety.
Yes, if the storage instructions for the product allow it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, and notes that it may become drier if stored for longer. So plan which portions you’ll need for lunch.
