The fibre-conscious host
Wants toast that really is wholemeal, and compares the fibre content per 100 g as well as per serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the ‘wholemeal’ label and the amount of fibre a product provides.
Who is this choice important for?
The host who pays attention to toppings
Is looking for small toasts for light bites, or a larger, sturdier alternative for toppings. The shape and size help determine how the party bites are presented.
The shopper who checks allergens
Needs to check the ingredients and possible traces for the exact product variant before serving it. The products mentioned differ in their declarations of cereals containing gluten, sesame, milk and soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the shape you want, then check that the wholemeal label, nutritional information and ingredients suit what you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to most |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product name and ingredients. Compare fibre per 100 g and consider how much you’ll serve. | If I’m specifically looking for wholemeal toast for drinks, I want to know what ‘wholemeal’ means on the label and how much fibre the portion I choose provides. This is the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Shape and toppings | Check the size and number of pieces. Choose a base that suits small bites or larger toppings. | I want a different size for small topped bites than for a larger cracker with toppings. Getting the size right is the first concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the exact product I’m serving. An estimated 21% of consumers give this check the highest priority. |
| Availability and quantity | Check that the product variant is available and that the pack weight and number of pieces suit your group. | If I’m shopping shortly before drinks, I want to be able to buy enough toast without relying on a particular variant that may be unavailable. This matters most to around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown or high-fibre means wholemeal
A dark colour or a mention of fibre is not the same as a ‘wholemeal’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast and crackers can only be called wholemeal if they’re made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If you’re looking for a product that’s entirely wholemeal, check the product name and ingredients list. Check the fibre content separately in the nutritional information.
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Comparing fibre content alone
The nutritional values of toast and crispbreads also differ in their salt content. Albert Heijn lists Wasa Volkoren as containing 20 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba toast volkoren.
Compare both values on the same basis, per 100 g, and also consider how much of each product you plan to serve.
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Relying on an old allergen declaration
Ingredients and warnings about possible traces vary by product and variant. A previous purchase or product photo is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re using.
If you have allergies or coeliac disease, check the current ingredients, allergen information and ‘may contain’ statement before serving.
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Assuming a product listing means it’s currently available
A product may still be visible online even when it’s no longer available to order. Jumbo listed Jos Poell Toast Volkoren and Van der Meulen wholemeal rounds as no longer part of its online range.
Before you shop, check whether the variant you want is available at your store or in your delivery area, and have a suitable alternative in mind.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
Melba toast volkoren is an example of thin, small toast for topped party bites.
- Albert Heijn lists the 120 g pack as containing six packets of six toasts each, with 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product information lists 1.9 g of salt per 100 g. According to Jumbo, this variant contains barley, rye, sesame, soya and wheat.
Jos Poell
The wholemeal toast is an example of small toasts for serving at drinks.
- Albert Heijn lists 27 pieces in a 90 g pack, with 10 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo listed this variant as no longer available in its online range. Check the label too: Jumbo’s listing mentions wheat and gluten, and warns of possible traces of milk, sesame and soya, among other things.
LiGA
Cracotte Vezelrijk is a light, grain-based toast in cracker size, rather than a small Melba toast.
- Jumbo lists 11.0 g of fibre per 100 g and 4.0 g per 37 g serving.
- The product information mentions milk, wheat, oats and rye, among other ingredients. Also consider whether the size suits your chosen toppings.
Wasa
Wasa Volkoren is a larger crispbread for anyone who doesn’t need small party toasts.
- Albert Heijn lists Wasa Volkoren as containing 20 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g.
- This variant contains rye. If you have allergies, check the current packaging for warnings about possible traces too.
Bolletje
Knäckebröd Volkoren is an alternative if a larger crispbread is right for your drinks spread.
- Bolletje says this variant is made with 100% wholemeal grains.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the pack you choose. The wholemeal grains declaration doesn’t replace this check.
Crispbreads for drinks on Joybuy
These two products are crispbreads that can be used as an alternative to small party toasts. Compare their size, and check the nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging if you’re choosing based on fibre or allergens.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread 265 g
A crispbread option if you’d like a larger alternative to thin Melba toast for drinks.
265 g pack. Check the current packaging for the ingredients and allergens, and make sure the wholemeal label matches what you’re looking for.
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Wasa Rustic Crispbread 215 g
A crispbread option if you don’t need the small size of a classic party toast.
215 g pack. Check the nutritional information if fibre content is important, and check the current ingredients and warnings if you have allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a toast is genuinely wholemeal?
Check whether the product is labelled ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast and crackers can only be called wholemeal if they’re made from 100% wholemeal flour. A brown colour or mention of fibre alone doesn’t confirm this.
Is fibre per 100 g enough to compare two products?
Comparing fibre per 100 g lets you compare the stated values on the same basis, but also consider how much you’ll actually serve. A small toast and a larger crispbread won’t necessarily provide the same amount per piece.
Can I serve wholemeal toast to someone with a gluten or sesame allergy?
Don’t assume it’s suitable just because it’s labelled ‘wholemeal’. The variants mentioned differ in their ingredients and possible traces, so check the allergen information on the exact pack you plan to serve. Your Europe explains the EU rules on allergen information for pre-packed foods.
Does every Dutch toast contain iodine through baker’s salt?
No, that doesn’t follow from the Dutch rule on baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through baker’s salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This condition doesn’t mean that iodised baker’s salt is added to every toast product. If this matters for your purchase, check the ingredients of the product you choose.