Who is this choice relevant to?

Families who snack together

A whole loaf gives you slices to top, toast or serve with a dip. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the product name even when you’re buying sourdough.

Snackers who prefer smaller portions

A small sourdough loaf or a piece of wholemeal sourdough baguette may be a better fit if everyone eats at different times or wants different toppings.

Label-conscious shoppers

If you’re comparing fibre, salt or allergens, ‘sourdough’ isn’t enough information. Read the nutritional information per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens for the loaf you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the wholemeal label, then choose a loaf size that suits how often you’ll be snacking. Finally, compare the labels of the products on your shortlist.

What to look for What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Wholemeal grain base Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and read the ingredients list. Don’t rely on ‘sourdough’, the colour or ‘multigrain’ alone. If I want a wholemeal base for snacks, the product name needs to make that clear. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Loaf size and portions Compare a whole loaf with smaller options, and check the weight, storage instructions and any baking instructions. When snack times vary, I want to be able to portion it out without taking more bread than I need. Around 33% of consumers give this practical consideration top priority.
Nutritional information and allergens Compare fibre and salt per 100 g; read the ingredients and allergen information before buying. Check whether iodised salt is listed if that matters to your choice. If salt, fibre or an allergen determines my choice, I want to be able to check the details for the specific loaf. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    Sourdough describes the raising agent; it doesn’t tell you whether the grain ingredient is entirely wholemeal. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority checks that the grain ingredient is made from wholemeal flour when a product is labelled wholemeal.

    First look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name, then check the ingredients.

  • Judging by the colour or ‘multigrain’ label

    A dark loaf or one made with different grains isn’t necessarily wholemeal. The same checks are needed for a sourdough loaf that looks the part.

    Use the wholemeal label and ingredients list as your guide, not just the appearance of the bread.

  • Checking allergens only after buying

    AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren lists wheat and gluten. Ingredients and allergens may differ in other loaves.

    Read the allergen information before buying. For unpackaged bread, ask the retailer for details. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that this information must be available.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    A large loaf is handy for sharing, but may not be the best choice if you only need a few slices.

    In that case, choose a smaller loaf or follow the freezing advice for the specific product. Albert Heijn says that AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.

    Bread that isn’t eaten or stored in time can go to waste.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren, a 600 g wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product information includes details such as ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, making it easier to compare the label with other loaves.
  • Albert Heijn lists this as an in-store product and warns that product information may change. Check the packaging when you buy it.

PLUS

PLUS lists, among other products, a small Korenlanders sourdough loaf with poppy seeds and a wholemeal sourdough baguette.

  • These different loaf sizes give you options to consider when choosing between individual portions and pieces to share.
  • Not every sourdough product is wholemeal. Check the name and nutritional information for the version you choose.

Lidl

Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product name clearly states both ‘wholemeal’ and ‘sourdough’.
  • Lidl lists the loaf as an in-store product. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information in store before comparing it on these points.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a range of wholemeal bread. Check each loaf to see whether sourdough is also mentioned in the product name or ingredients.

  • The wholemeal bread category is a good place to start when exploring different loaf sizes.
  • Check the current range and the label on the specific loaf. The category name doesn’t tell you how each product is made.

ALDI

ALDI describes wholemeal bread as part of its bread range.

  • You can explore wholemeal bread as a category alongside other types of bread.
  • Check whether an individual loaf is also sourdough, and read the product information on the packaging.

Dirk

At Dirk, you can browse its wholemeal bread range to find a loaf size that suits your snack occasions.

  • The range includes different types of wholemeal bread and rolls to compare.
  • Check whether both ‘wholemeal’ and sourdough apply to each product. Not every search result will be a wholemeal sourdough loaf.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough is a raising agent, so choose a loaf labelled ‘wholemeal’ if you’re looking for a wholemeal grain base. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority checks that the grain ingredient is made from wholemeal flour in products labelled wholemeal.

Does every sourdough loaf in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the ‘sourdough’ label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt; this doesn’t mean every loaf contains iodised salt. Check the ingredients for the specific product. AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren lists iodised salt.

Is wholemeal wheat sourdough bread gluten-free?

No, don’t assume it is. AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren lists wheat and gluten; sourdough doesn’t change the ingredients. Check the allergen information for every loaf before buying, and ask for it if the bread is unpackaged.

How should I store a whole loaf for several snack occasions?

Follow the storage advice for the loaf you’ve chosen and portion it out if needed. Albert Heijn says AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; don’t assume the same advice applies to another loaf.

How can I compare the fibre and salt in two loaves?

Compare the values per 100 g in the nutritional information for both products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that the nutritional values of wholemeal bread can vary by brand. Albert Heijn lists 6.5 g of fibre and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g for AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren; check the current packaging when you buy it.