Who is this choice relevant to?

Fibre-conscious holidaymakers

For anyone taking rusks for breakfast or lunch who mainly looks at the wholemeal label and the fibre content per 100 g when choosing.

Families comparing packs

For anyone looking for a simple pack of rusks who wants to compare the ingredients, nutritional information and pack size before setting off.

Shoppers checking for allergies or dietary needs

For anyone who needs to check whether ingredients such as wheat, egg or sesame, and any ‘may contain’ warnings, are suitable for a family member’s dietary needs.

What should you look for in wholemeal rusks?

Start with the wholemeal label and the nutritional information. Then choose a pack size that’s easy to take with you and store in a dry place. If you have an allergy or specific dietary requirements, always check the packaging of the product you’re buying.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Wholemeal and fibre Check that the product is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table. If fibre is my main deciding factor, I want to be able to compare varieties on the same basis. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers.
Pack and quantity Compare the number of rusks or the weight, and check whether the variety you want is available. For everyday breakfasts, I want a simple pack that’s the right size for our holiday needs. Around 22% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Storage and taking them with you Read the storage instructions and best-before date, and think about how you’ll seal the pack after opening. When travelling, I want to keep the rusks dry and seal the pack properly after opening. This is the most important factor for around 22% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on each pack. If someone in my household needs to avoid certain ingredients, the label needs to be suitable for them. This is the main concern for around 11% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or seeded rusks contain more fibre

    The regular Bolletje Wholemeal variety we looked at lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 10 g per 100 g for the dark Bolletje variety. The product name alone won’t tell you the difference.

    Compare the nutrition tables per 100 g and check separately whether the rusks are labelled wholemeal.

  • Assuming which allergens a rusk contains based on its type

    A wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether a variety contains egg or sesame. Ingredients also differ between plain packs and seeded varieties.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.

  • Taking supplies for your holiday without a way to reseal them

    Jumbo’s storage instructions for Bolletje Wholemeal say to keep the rusks in a cool, dry, dark place and seal the pack after opening. That’s worth bearing in mind if you’ll be using the pack while travelling.

    Take a tightly sealed container or bag clip with you, and check the best-before date before you leave.

  • Assuming iodised salt is always used

    You can’t tell which type of salt is used in a particular rusk just from the wholemeal label.

    If iodine is important to you, check the ingredients list on the pack for terms such as baker’s salt or iodised table salt.

Brands compared

These brands offer different wholemeal rusks or related varieties. Compare the information for each product, rather than relying on the brand name.

Bolletje

Bolletje offers a plain Wholemeal Rusk pack containing 13 rusks, as well as a dark wholemeal variety with seeds.

  • The plain variety we looked at lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The dark variety contains ingredients including wheat, oats, barley and sesame; check the allergen information on each pack.

Albert Heijn

AH Wholemeal Rusks are a supermarket own-brand option for anyone looking for a plain wholemeal variety.

  • The product information lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The variety we looked at contains wheat and egg; check the current label if you have an allergy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a plain wholemeal rusk; product information for varieties made with other grains shows why you should check the ingredients on each pack.

  • The plain variety is listed as Jumbo Wholemeal Rusks, 13 pieces.
  • Check whether the pack you want is available: Jumbo listed the plain variety as temporarily unavailable.

PLUS

PLUS lists both plain wholemeal rusks and a wholemeal variety with seeds and kernels.

  • The seeded variety we looked at lists over 25% seeds and kernels.
  • The seeded variety contains ingredients including egg, wheat, barley, oats and sesame.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 140 g pack of wholemeal rusks for in-store purchase.

  • The stated pack weight makes it easier to compare packs.
  • Check the label in store if you want to compare ingredients, fibre or allergens.

ALDI / Goud Gebakken

ALDI lists Goud Gebakken Wholemeal Rusks in a pack of 13.

  • The number of rusks is stated on the product listing.
  • Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack before comparing this variety with other packs.

Wholemeal rusks at Joybuy

This product selection features a plain pack of wholemeal rusks for breakfast or lunch during the summer holidays. If you’re choosing between plain, dark and seeded varieties, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on those packs too.

Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks, 13 pieces

Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks, 13 pieces

A plain pack of wholemeal rusks for anyone looking to take some along for breakfast or lunch. The pack contains 13 rusks.

Compare the fibre per 100 g on the current pack, and check the ingredients and allergens if they’re relevant to your household.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘wholemeal’ mean on a pack of rusks?

According to the Voedingscentrum, a product can only be called wholemeal if it’s made entirely from wholemeal flour. Also check the packaging if you want to compare the fibre, salt or ingredients in different rusks.

Which allergens should I check in wholemeal rusks?

Always check the allergen information on the specific pack. The varieties we looked at contain ingredients including wheat and egg, while dark or seeded varieties may also contain oats, barley or sesame. Check for any ‘may contain’ warnings too.

How should I take a pack of rusks on holiday?

Keep the rusks dry and seal the pack securely after opening. Check the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack; a resealable container can help keep them protected while you’re travelling.

Do seeded rusks always contain more fibre?

No, seeds alone don’t determine the fibre content. The PLUS seeded variety we looked at lists 10.6 g of fibre per 100 g, while Bolletje Wholemeal lists 11 g per 100 g. So compare the nutrition table for the varieties you’re thinking of buying.