Start by checking the wholemeal label: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. A dark colour or the word sourdough doesn’t prove that on its own. Then choose a whole loaf, a smaller loaf or bake-at-home rolls based on how many people you’re catering for and how much time you have before setting off. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, and carry any fillings that need to be kept chilled in a cool bag.
If you want to take sourdough bread with you but first want to check that it really is wholemeal and find out which ingredients and allergens it contains. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If you’re taking bread with fillings that need to be kept chilled, you’ll also need a cool bag and should keep an eye on how long they’re out of the fridge, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
If you’d find a smaller loaf or individual bake-at-home rolls more convenient than a whole loaf, and have time to bake them at home.
First, choose a loaf whose wholemeal label and ingredients suit your needs. Then decide what size will be easy to share and how you’ll carry any fillings that need to stay chilled.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and ingredients | Look for the wholemeal label and read the current ingredients and allergen list. Check separately for baker’s yeast if that matters to your choice. | I want to take sourdough bread with me, but also check that it really is wholemeal and see what ingredients it contains. For around 42% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
| Size and preparation | Compare a whole loaf with a smaller loaf or individual rolls. For bake-at-home products, check the instructions and allow time before setting off. | When I’m with a small group, I want to share the bread easily without having lots left over. Size is the first consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Chilled fillings | Carry fillings that need to be kept chilled in a cool bag. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable food should be thrown away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours. | If I’m bringing fillings that need to stay chilled, I want to keep them safely stored on the way and at the picnic spot. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
A dark colour, seeds or the word multigrain don’t confirm that a loaf is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Look specifically for the wholemeal label on the packaging or shelf label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
The ingredients lists for sourdough products from brands including Albert Heijn and PLUS also mention baker’s yeast. The ingredients therefore vary from loaf to loaf.
Read the ingredients list if the raising agents used matter to your choice.
Bread packaging won’t keep fillings that need to be chilled cool during the journey or at the picnic spot.
Use a cool bag for them. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises throwing away perishable food if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Ingredients and allergens can vary between products or change over time. If you have an allergy, it’s important to check the information on the packaging you choose.
Check the packaging on the day you buy it, even if you’ve already looked at the bread online.
Offers several wholemeal sourdough breads under the Liefde & Passie name.
Describes wholemeal sourdough breads and organic wholemeal sourdough rolls in its range.
Sells an in-store product called Rustiek volkoren desembrood (Rustic wholemeal sourdough bread).
Offers fresh daily wholemeal breads; ALDI says its wholemeal breads are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
Offers, among other products, a small wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf and organic wholemeal sourdough rolls to bake at home.
Lists both wholemeal bread and sourdough bread in its range.
This round loaf is worth considering if you want to make slices for several people and have time to prepare it at home. Before buying, check the packaging to see whether it carries the Dutch wholemeal label.
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The round loaf could be a good fit for a picnic where you want to cut several slices.
Check the current packaging for the wholemeal label and ingredients, including any wheat flour and baker’s yeast. Follow the baking instructions on the packaging too, and allow time for the bread to cool.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So choose by looking for the wholemeal label, rather than relying only on the colour, seeds or the word sourdough.
Not every product with sourdough in its name is yeast-free. The ingredients lists for wholemeal sourdough breads from Albert Heijn and PLUS also mention baker’s yeast. If this matters to your choice, read the list for the loaf you’re planning to buy.
You don’t need a cool bag for bread on its own, but use one for any fillings that need to be kept chilled. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, perishable food should be thrown away if it has been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
You can’t tell from the sourdough label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine may be present in bread and other baked goods through baker’s salt; this doesn’t mean that every loaf contains it. Check the ingredients list on the packaging for the specific bread.
