If you regularly make sandwiches
For toast, packed lunches or sandwiches, you need individual slices in a suitable format. Pre-cut toasties serve a different purpose. Check the product itself to see whether the bread is sliced finely enough for you.
Who should take care when choosing?
If you compare organic labels and ingredients
When shopping at an organic food shop, the label and the ingredients and allergen list for the specific bread matter. An organic logo alone does not mean a product is gluten-free.
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread to toast
If you want to toast slices, compare the grain ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. The pack size should also suit how quickly you’ll get through the bread.
What should you look for when buying?
First, decide whether you want individual slices of bread or pre-cut toast buns. Then compare the label and the information on the packaging. The word ‘medium-fine’ alone doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.
Organic wholemeal sliced toast bread
A good choice if: You’re looking for evenly shaped slices for toast or sandwiches and want to compare wholemeal ingredients.
Keep in mind: You’ll need to check the thickness of the slices on the specific loaf.
Organic rye toasties
A good choice if: You’d prefer pre-cut, toastable bun halves rather than individual slices of bread.
Keep in mind: REWE Bio Finn Toasties are a different format from sliced bread and, according to the ingredients, contain gluten-containing cereals.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice format | Are these individual slices of bread or pre-cut bun halves? Are the shape and thickness right for the toppings you have in mind? | When I make sandwiches for a packed lunch, I need individual slices rather than toast bun halves. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this format. |
| Organic status and ingredients | Check the EU organic logo, control body code, country of origin, and the ingredients and allergen list on the specific product. | When shopping at an organic food shop, I want to know which grains and allergens the bread contains, rather than relying on the logo alone. Around 36% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Nutritional information and how quickly you’ll use it | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the pack size with how much you usually eat. | If I eat wholemeal toast regularly, I want to know the nutritional values shown and whether I’ll finish the pack in time. Around 28% of consumers say this comes first. |
Which buying mistakes can you avoid?
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Mistaking toasties for sliced bread
Pre-cut bun halves aren’t suitable for every occasion when you need individual slices for toast or sandwiches.
Check the product name and the actual shape of the individual pieces.
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Assuming ‘organic’ means allergen-free
Organic labelling doesn’t replace checking the ingredients. The products described from Beumer & Lutum and REWE Bio contain gluten-containing cereals.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on each specific product before choosing it.
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Choosing a pack without planning how you’ll use it
Bread can go stale or mouldy before you’ve finished the pack.
Choose a suitable quantity and freeze portions if needed. The Verbraucherzentrale advises throwing away an entire loaf if you can see mould on it.
Brands to consider
Mestemacher
EDEKA24 stocks Mestemacher organic wholemeal wheat toast bread as a packaged 400 g loaf.
- According to EDEKA24’s product information, wholemeal wheat flour is the first ingredient listed.
- Check the product itself to see whether the slices are the right thickness for your needs.
Beumer & Lutum
The organic bakery describes a toast bread made with wholemeal wheat and spelt flour.
- Beumer & Lutum states that this bread contains 41% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Gluten is listed as an allergen. Check the bread to see whether the slices are the thickness you want.
REWE Bio
Finn Toasties are an organic alternative made up of pre-cut bun halves, not traditional sliced bread.
- REWE describes the product as organic rye toast buns with 38% rye.
- The ingredients list includes several gluten-containing cereals and wheat gluten.
Wendl
Wendl is a bakery option if you’re looking for fresh bread and want to ask about slicing it in store.
- Wendl describes bread and other baked goods made at its own bakery.
- For a specific loaf, ask about its organic status, ingredients and available slice thicknesses.
Organic bread at Joybuy
This pre-sliced organic bread could work well for sandwiches. Check the product itself to see whether the slices match what you mean by ‘medium-fine’.
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Alnatura organic spelt and green spelt bread, 500 g
According to the product description, this pre-sliced bread could be suitable for sandwiches, as long as the slice shape works for you.
Pack weight: 500 g. Check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens on the packaging, especially if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify pre-packed organic sliced bread?
According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs, the EU organic logo is mandatory on pre-packed organic food from the EU. This requirement has applied since 1 July 2010. Also check the bread for a control body code, country of origin and ingredients list. The logo is no substitute for checking allergens.
Is organic toast automatically gluten-free?
No. An organic label doesn’t mean that toast is gluten-free. Beumer & Lutum lists gluten as an allergen in its organic wholemeal toast bread described here. The ingredients for REWE Bio Finn Toasties also include gluten-containing cereals. Always check the label on the product you’re planning to buy.
How should I store opened sliced bread?
The Verbraucherzentrale generally recommends storing bread at room temperature and following the instructions on the packaging. If you won’t get through a larger quantity in time, you can freeze slices in portions. Throw away the entire loaf if you can see mould on it.