For everyday lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread as the basis for meals in childcare settings. A croissant is better suited to an occasional treat, if your setting’s food policy allows it. Before choosing a regular, plant-based or explicitly gluten- and wheat-free option, check each child’s dietary requirements and the current packaging. Plant-based does not automatically mean gluten-free or free from possible traces of milk.
You’re buying for a group where staff need to check which croissant meets each child’s recorded dietary requirements. Keep the ingredients and allergen information for the chosen product available until all portions have been handed out.
You’re looking for something different for a special lunch, not necessarily a replacement for the usual bread-based meal. The number of items, portion sizes and product-specific preparation instructions will determine whether serving them to the group is practical.
You’re catering for a child with a recorded dietary requirement. Only choose a croissant explicitly labelled as suitable for a gluten- and wheat-free diet, and check for other allergens and possible traces too.
First, check whether your food policy allows a croissant treat, then review each child’s dietary requirements. Only then compare the packaging and preparation details for a group lunch. The ‘medium sliced’ label does not replace these product-specific checks.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, allergens and possible traces on the current packaging, and compare them with each child’s requirements. | When buying for children with different dietary requirements, I need the information for every chosen option to be accurate. Around 36% of consumers put allergen checks first. |
| Everyday lunch choices | Check whether your food policy allows a croissant treat; compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | For a lunch served every day, I want to know whether a croissant fits our policy or should remain an exception. For around 29% of consumers, this policy decision is the main consideration. |
| Portions and preparation | Check the number of items, net weight, and preparation and storage instructions on the chosen packaging. | For a group lunch, I need to be able to prepare and serve the portions on time. Practicality is the priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Gluten- and wheat-free alternative | Look for an explicit label stating that the product is suitable for a gluten- and wheat-free diet, and check for other allergens and traces too. | If a child follows a gluten- and wheat-free diet, I need a croissant labelled as suitable for it that also meets their other requirements. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this specific dietary need. |
The Jumbo Plant-Based Croissant lists wheat and gluten, and may contain milk. So the plant-based label does not tell you whether this croissant is suitable for someone avoiding gluten or milk.
Read the full ingredients list, allergen information and possible traces on the current packaging. For a gluten- and wheat-free diet, choose only an option explicitly labelled as suitable.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread in childcare settings because of its fibre content. A croissant treat therefore needs to be considered separately as part of your food policy, rather than automatically replacing the everyday bread-based lunch.
Agree in advance whether croissants are an occasional change, and check what your setting’s policy recommends as the usual lunch option.
Without the packaging, it can be harder for staff to check which ingredients and possible traces apply to the croissants being served.
Keep the label or current product specification with the relevant batch until all portions have been handed out, and follow your setting’s kitchen and allergen protocol.
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes mini and regular butter croissants, as well as packs in different sizes.
The Jumbo Plant-Based Croissant is worth considering when milk as an ingredient is a concern.
At PLUS, a regular butter croissant and the separate Consenza option for a gluten- and wheat-free diet are useful alternatives to compare.
Dirk’s Schoof Croissants margarine are bake-at-home croissants, sold in a pack of four weighing 180 g.
The Consenza Croissants reviewed are labelled as suitable for a gluten- and wheat-free diet.
These Joybuy products are croissant options to consider for an occasional group occasion. Check the portions, allergens and preparation instructions on the chosen packaging against your food policy and each child’s requirements. These products are not a selection for a gluten- and wheat-free diet.
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The stated pack size of four is helpful when planning an occasional croissant treat.
Before buying, check the current allergen information and preparation instructions for this pack.
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This pack of four butter croissants can be compared with the number of portions planned for an occasional group lunch.
Check the current ingredients and allergens against dietary requirements, and read the preparation instructions on the pack.
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The mini size is worth considering if you’re looking for smaller croissants to serve.
Check the number of items and net weight on the current pack, as well as the allergens and preparation instructions.
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The stated portion size of 85 g makes this croissant an option to assess separately for serving.
The product information includes a warning about E102 and E110 and their possible adverse effect on children’s activity and attention. Check the current packaging and your food policy before choosing this option for a group of children; also check the allergens and nutritional information on the label.
No. You can’t tell from the name or a plant-based label: the Jumbo Plant-Based Croissant lists wheat and gluten. For a gluten- and wheat-free diet, choose only an option explicitly labelled as suitable, and check for other allergens and possible traces too.
For everyday lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread for its fibre content and a menu that mainly follows the Dutch Wheel of Five dietary guidelines. Consider a croissant as an occasional alternative within your own food policy, rather than an automatic replacement.
Keep the ingredients, allergens and any traces listed on the packaging available for reference while you’re handing out the croissants. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the allergen information requirements for unpackaged foods offered to consumers. Follow your childcare setting’s food safety and allergen protocol for the correct procedure.
You can’t tell from the product category. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific croissant. The ‘medium sliced’ label does not tell you anything about this either.
Follow the preparation instructions on the chosen packaging, and plan your oven space and serving time accordingly. Keep track of which packaging relates to which croissants while preparing them, so staff can refer to the allergen information.
