Who is this for?

Households keeping an eye on fibre

If you’re looking for a wholemeal base for lunch, check the label on the packaging and compare the fibre per 100 g across different rusks.

Parents weighing up how much chocolate sprinkle topping to use

If you’d like to use chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping, consider the portion and vary the lunch with other toppings. Voedingscentrum points out that chocolate sprinkles contain sugar and saturated fat.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

When combining rusks and chocolate sprinkles, check the ingredients on both packs. Depending on the products you choose, wheat, egg, sesame, milk and soya may be relevant.

What should you look for?

Start with the wholemeal base, then check the topping and the ingredients in the full combination. Compare fibre values on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. To gauge the amount you’re serving, also check the size of one rusk.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g; don’t judge by colour alone. I want a clearly labelled wholemeal base for lunch and to compare rusks using the same fibre measure. This fibre choice comes first for around 36% of consumers.
Amount of chocolate sprinkles Check the nutritional information for the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen and decide how much to use on one rusk. When I serve chocolate sprinkles, I want to choose the amount of sweet topping deliberately and leave room for other toppings too. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Read the latest allergen information for both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. If there are ingredients I need to avoid, the whole combination needs to be suitable; choosing a suitable rusk alone isn’t enough. Around 21% of consumers put this check first.
Size and storage Compare the number of rusks and the size of each one; also read the storage advice for after opening. For our lunches, I want to know how big each rusk is and how to store the pack once it’s open. This practical consideration matters most to around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a dark rusk is wholemeal

    A dark colour doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. Voedingscentrum explains that the term ‘wholemeal’ has a specific meaning for this type of grain product.

    Look for the label on the packaging, then compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Leaving the chocolate sprinkles out of the comparison

    Choosing wholemeal rusks doesn’t change the topping’s composition. Voedingscentrum doesn’t include chocolate sprinkles in the Schijf van Vijf and points out that they contain sugar and saturated fat.

    Decide how much you’ll use, and choose other toppings for different lunches.

  • Checking allergens in the rusks only

    The topping can matter too: De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur lists milk and soya, while the ingredients in wholemeal rusks vary between products.

    Check the latest packaging for both products before use, even if you’ve bought one of them before.

  • Treating rules on baker’s salt as a product guarantee

    Rules on adding iodine don’t tell you whether a particular rusk was made with baker’s salt.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.

Brands to compare

Bolletje

Bolletje offers both standard wholemeal rusks and a larger farmhouse-style version with oats and seeds.

  • Albert Heijn lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Volkoren beschuit and 10 g per 100 g for Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren.
  • The farmhouse-style version contains oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients. If you need to avoid allergens, check the ingredients in the version you choose.

Albert Heijn

AH Beschuit volkoren is a standard wholemeal rusk that you can pair with your choice of topping.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g and 13 servings of 11 g.
  • The listed ingredients include wheat and egg. Check the latest packaging before use.

Jumbo

Jumbo has its own wholemeal rusks, as well as chocolate sprinkles that you can compare as a separate topping.

  • Jumbo lists Jumbo Beschuit Volkoren 13 Stuks.
  • Compare fibre and allergens using the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging of the product you choose.

De Ruijter

To pair with wholemeal rusks, you can compare De Ruijter’s dark and extra-dark chocolate sprinkle varieties.

  • Albert Heijn lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for Chocoladehagel puur and 43 g of sugars per 100 g for Specials hagelslag intens puur. The extra-dark variety lists at least 52% cocoa solids.
  • Both varieties listed contain milk and soya; the nutritional value per 100 g doesn’t replace considering the portion you use.

Venz

Venz is a brand to consider alongside other toppings in the chocolate sprinkles category.

  • Jumbo lists Venz Melk Chocolade Hagelslag 400 g in its chocolate sprinkles range.
  • To compare sugars and allergens, use the nutritional information and ingredients on the specific pack.

Wholemeal rusks on Joybuy

These rusks provide a wholemeal base for lunch with your choice of topping. Choose between a standard pack and a darker variety containing ten rusks; assess the chocolate sprinkles separately.

Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

A standard wholemeal rusk for anyone comparing fibre per 100 g for lunch. Joybuy lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g; the pack contains 13 pieces.

The rusks contain wheat and egg and may contain sesame. If you need to avoid allergens, check the latest packaging; chocolate sprinkles are a separate topping.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

A darker wholemeal variety for anyone looking for a larger size; the pack contains 10 pieces. To compare fibre, check the nutritional information on the latest packaging against that of other rusks per 100 g.

Wheat, oats, barley and sesame are relevant when checking the ingredients in this variety. Also consider the size of each rusk when deciding how much to serve for lunch.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are dark rusks always wholemeal?

No, colour alone doesn’t tell you. Voedingscentrum explains that the term ‘wholemeal’ is linked to requirements for the flour used in products such as rusks. So check the packaging rather than judging by appearance alone.

What should I look for when serving wholemeal rusks with chocolate sprinkles for lunch?

Consider both the rusks and the amount of topping. According to Voedingscentrum, chocolate sprinkles aren’t included in the Schijf van Vijf and contain sugar and saturated fat; wholemeal rusks don’t change these qualities of the topping.

Should I check the allergens in both the rusks and the chocolate sprinkles?

Yes, check the latest packaging for both products. The wholemeal rusks mentioned have different ingredients, and De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur lists milk and soya. Check the combination you’re actually serving.

Do the rules on baker’s salt mean that every rusk contains iodine?

No, the rules on adding iodine don’t mean that a particular rusk was made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions for adding iodine via baker’s salt in the relevant bakery products. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer about the product you’ve chosen.

How should I store opened rusks during the school holidays?

Store the opened pack in a cool, dry, dark place and seal it well. Albert Heijn gives this storage advice for the AH and Bolletje rusks mentioned; follow the instructions on your own pack.