People avoiding a specific allergen
You want to check which allergens are present in each croissant, and which could be present due to cross-contamination. The product name alone won’t tell you.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People looking for a gluten-free croissant
You’re looking for a variant labelled gluten-free, but you also need to check for other allergens, including egg, milk and soya.
People avoiding milk
You’re considering a plant-based croissant instead of one made with butter. Also check for warnings about the possible presence of milk, as well as information about wheat and gluten.
What should you look for?
Identify the allergen you need to avoid, then compare the information for the specific croissant. If you’re buying croissants in this situation, a different check may be your top priority.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Your allergen and cross-contamination | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid one allergen strictly, I want to know whether it is present or could be present. For around 45% of these shoppers, this is the top priority. |
| Gluten-free option | Check that it is labelled gluten-free, and check the other allergens for that same variant. | I’m looking for a gluten-free croissant, but I also need to consider any other allergens that matter to me. For around 33% of these shoppers, a gluten-free option is the top priority. |
| Avoiding milk | Compare the fat used and the full allergen information; plant-based does not tell you whether it contains wheat or gluten. | If I avoid milk, I want to be able to assess a plant-based option without overlooking other allergens. Around 22% of these shoppers prioritise avoiding milk by choosing this type of option. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming plant-based means allergen-free
The plant-based croissant described by Jumbo contains wheat and gluten, and may contain milk. So the plant-based label doesn’t answer every question about allergies.
Even with a plant-based option, read the full allergen information on the current packaging.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
Jumbo’s gluten-free Consenza croissants contain egg, milk and soya, and may contain lupin, nuts and sesame.
Use gluten-free as a way to select for gluten, and check separately for every other allergen you need to avoid.
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Choosing a loose croissant without checking allergen information
Information may not appear on an individual label for an unpackaged croissant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged products must be available before purchase.
Before you order, ask at the bakery counter which allergens are present and whether there is information about possible cross-contamination.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread does not have to be baked with baker’s salt. So the salt information for one croissant does not automatically apply to another variant.
Check the ingredients of the product you’re buying; salt information is no substitute for checking allergens.
Brands to consider
These examples show why you need to read the allergen information for each variant; a brand name alone won’t tell you whether a croissant is right for you.
Albert Heijn
The Albert Heijn butter croissants reviewed are part-baked and sold in packs of four, each weighing 45 g.
- Albert Heijn lists the ingredients and allergens for this variant, including wheat flour, butter, milk, lactose and wheat.
- This variant isn’t suitable if you need to avoid milk or wheat. Also check the warning about the possible presence of barley, oats and rye, and read the current packaging before eating.
Jumbo
The plant-based Jumbo croissant reviewed is a part-baked option sold in a pack of four.
- According to Jumbo, this variant uses plant-based margarine instead of butter.
- Jumbo lists wheat and gluten as allergens present; milk, barley, oats and rye may also be present. So here, plant-based does not mean gluten-free or that milk cannot be present.
Consenza
Jumbo sells the Consenza croissants reviewed as gluten-free.
- The gluten-free label makes clear which kind of shopping need this variant may suit.
- According to the product information at Jumbo, this variant contains egg, milk and soya, and may contain lupin, nuts and sesame. Check this information as well as the gluten-free label.
Croissants on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the allergens in a packaged croissant?
Check the ingredients list on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the allergens which must be declared have to be clearly listed there. Also read any separate warning about possible cross-contamination.
How do I check the allergens in a loose croissant?
Ask for the allergen information before buying if it isn’t displayed alongside the croissant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available for unpackaged products. Don’t assume the ingredients are the same as those of a similar packaged product.
Is a plant-based croissant also free from milk and gluten?
Not necessarily. The plant-based Jumbo croissant reviewed lists wheat and gluten as allergens present, and milk as a possible allergen. Check the packaging for the exact variant you want to buy.
Are gluten-free croissants suitable for people with other food allergies?
That depends on the other allergens in the variant. Jumbo’s gluten-free Consenza croissants contain egg, milk and soya, and may contain lupin, nuts and sesame. So be sure to read the full allergen information.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory, and you can check the label to see whether it has been used. Check the ingredients for the croissant in question; this information alone doesn’t tell you anything about allergens.