For a Christmas market meal, start by choosing a roll that is explicitly labelled wholemeal: brown or multigrain does not automatically mean wholemeal. Then decide whether you want to serve the rolls straight away or have the time and oven space to bake them at home. If you’re looking to boost your fibre intake, compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packaging of the products you’re considering.
You’re looking for a wholemeal roll for a Christmas market meal and don’t want to assume that multigrain means wholemeal without checking the label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products are made from the entire grain.
You want to bake the rolls shortly before setting off or serving them, and can make time and oven space for this. Check the cooking instructions on the packaging you choose.
If you don’t choose a wholemeal pistolet, a wholemeal bun or bake-at-home roll could be a suitable alternative. Check the product name and label again: a different shape or a multigrain description alone tells you nothing about whether it’s made with wholemeal flour.
Start with the wholemeal label, then compare the nutritional information. After that, decide whether to serve the rolls straight away, bake them at home or choose a different shape.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check for a wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. According to the NVWA, a product can only be called wholemeal if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. | If wholemeal is the main reason I’m choosing this roll, I don’t want to rely on its brown colour or a multigrain description. For around 40% of shoppers, choosing a wholemeal product is the top priority. |
| Preparation and timing | Check whether the rolls need baking, and look at the oven temperature, baking time and storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. | If you want to serve the rolls warm, you’ll need to fit the baking into your other preparations. For around 30% of shoppers, timing is the top priority. |
| A suitable alternative | If you choose a different shape, check the product name and label again; multigrain and wholemeal are not the same thing. | If a pistolet isn’t suitable, I want to be able to choose a different shape without compromising on wholemeal. Around 30% of shoppers put that flexibility first. |
The colour and descriptions such as multigrain or mixed seeds don’t confirm that the grain ingredient is wholemeal. The NVWA says that a product can only be labelled wholemeal if its grain ingredients consist entirely of wholemeal flour.
Look for the wholemeal label first. Then compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.
Even rolls with a suitable name can vary in their ingredients, allergens, portion size and preparation method.
Read the label on the pack you’re buying, especially if you want to store the rolls in advance or need to bake them.
The type of roll doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a specific product. According to NBC / brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement.
If iodine is relevant to your dietary choices, check the product information or ask the manufacturer or retailer.
Albert Heijn lists both AH Pistolet volkoren and AH Liefde & Passie Desem pistolet volkoren.
Jumbo lists Volkoren Pistolets in a pack of four.
Lidl lists Afbakbroodjes volkoren as an option if you want to bake rolls at home.
PLUS lists Pistolets meergranen; this is a different product description from wholemeal pistolets.
Dirk lists wholemeal buns and a wholemeal bake-at-home bun, among other options—alternative roll shapes to consider.
No. According to the NVWA, a product can only be called wholemeal if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. The description ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t prove this.
No, don’t choose based on the colour of the bread alone. Look for the wholemeal label and, if you’re looking to boost your fibre intake, compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Time the baking to suit when you want to serve the rolls, and follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. Baking times and temperatures can vary from one type of roll to another.
Don’t assume that it does. According to NBC / brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. Check the product information for a specific roll or ask the manufacturer or retailer.
Read the allergen information for the specific product before buying and eating it. The NVWA says that allergens must be listed and highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
