Hotels with guests who avoid coarse bread
A fine-textured wholemeal option gives these hotels a second bread texture to offer alongside regular wholemeal bread. Each hotel should assess whether guests actually choose it on its own buffet.
Which hotels is this relevant to?
Buffet teams looking to offer clearly labelled wholemeal bread
They want to base their choice on clear product descriptions, not on a dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multigrain’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products are made from the entire grain.
Hotels serving unpackaged bread
For these teams, it must be clear which allergen information applies to each bread on offer. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses must inform consumers about allergens in unpackaged foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a hotel breakfast buffet catering for different tastes, first decide which bread textures you want to offer. Then compare the product information and make sure you have allergen information for each bread before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when purchasing | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Finer texture | Check the ‘fine wholemeal’ description and the way the bread is sliced; assess the texture of the bread you actually serve. | If guests leave coarse bread untouched, I want to be able to offer a finer wholemeal option without assuming it will feel like white bread. Texture would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers choosing bread for a buffet like this. |
| Clearly labelled wholemeal option | Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g or per a similar portion. | When I’m looking for a clear wholemeal option as the basis of the buffet, I don’t want to rely on colour or seeds. A clearly labelled wholemeal option would be the top priority for around 42% of these consumers. |
| Allergens and presentation | Request the current ingredients and allergen information, and make sure it matches the correct bread and buffet label. | When serving unpackaged bread, I want to be able to give guests information about the right product before they choose, even if the range changes. This would be the main concern for around 25% of these consumers. |
Common purchasing mistakes
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Mistaking dark or multigrain bread for wholemeal
This could lead to bread being presented as a wholemeal option on the buffet when its product description does not confirm that it is. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products are made from the entire grain.
Check that ‘wholemeal’ is explicitly stated in the product description for each item, and keep the current product specification on file.
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Using allergen information for a different bread
That information may no longer match the bread being served if it is a different product or the recipe has changed. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says guests must be able to obtain allergen information for unpackaged bread.
Match each bread to its current information and update the buffet label whenever the product changes.
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Assuming every bread contains iodised baker’s salt
You can’t tell whether iodised baker’s salt is present from the type of bread alone.
Only make a product-specific statement about iodine after checking the current information for the bread supplied.
Brands and places to shop for inspiration
These retailers offer a starting point when sourcing wholemeal bread. Check the current ingredients and delivery options for the hotel for each product you choose.
Albert Heijn
A retailer with an online wholemeal bread category.
- Albert Heijn’s bread page includes a range of wholemeal options.
- Check the texture, product specification and local delivery options for the product you choose.
Jumbo
A retailer with a wholemeal bread category and a product page for fine wholemeal bread.
- A fine wholemeal product gives you a specific starting point when choosing a finer-textured option.
- Check availability and the quantities you need for the hotel’s purchasing location.
Lidl
A retailer offering fine wholemeal bread and other wholemeal products.
- Lidl lists fine wholemeal bread as a product and provides ingredients and allergen information for fresh-from-the-oven bread.
- Check that the information applies to the exact bread you have chosen and the current delivery.
ALDI
A retailer offering fine wholemeal bread and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal option.
- ALDI lists its fine wholemeal bread as sliced.
- Check the nutritional and allergen information for the product you choose rather than relying on claims about another variety.
PLUS
A retailer with a wholemeal bread category and a product listing for round fine wholemeal bread.
- The fine wholemeal product gives you a specific option to assess for its shape and product specification.
- PLUS notes that product information can change; use the current packaging or specification for the buffet.
Dirk
A retailer to contact for details of the local wholemeal bread range.
- Dirk has an online search option for wholemeal bread.
- For a specific buffet choice, ask which product is available and request its product specification.
Flatbread as an additional buffet option
This wholemeal flatbread is a different shape from the regular or fine sliced wholemeal bread in the main selection. Consider whether its shape suits the breakfast buffet presentation and your guests.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat 6 P
An option if you’d like to serve flatbread alongside sliced bread at the breakfast buffet.
Before serving, check that the shape and texture suit your buffet presentation, and use the current ingredients and allergen information for the product supplied.
Frequently asked questions
Is fine wholemeal bread suitable to serve alongside regular wholemeal bread?
Yes, it can be an additional option for guests looking for a less coarse texture. Choose a bread explicitly described as fine wholemeal and assess its texture on your own buffet; fine wholemeal bread does not have to feel like white bread.
How can I identify wholemeal bread for the buffet?
Check that ‘wholemeal’ is explicitly stated in the product description. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products are made from the entire grain; a dark colour, seeds or the name ‘multigrain’ are not a substitute for that description.
Do I need to provide allergen information for unpackaged buffet bread?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that businesses must inform consumers about allergens in unpackaged foods. Make sure guests can get information about the relevant bread before choosing it, for example on a buffet label or by clearly indicating that they can ask a member of staff.
Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so without product-specific information. Check the current information for the bread supplied before mentioning iodine on the buffet.