If you have coeliac disease, only choose a croissant that is clearly labelled gluten-free, and check the current packaging. Don’t rely on how an unpackaged croissant looks or on a general description. Then check for other allergens and choose storage and preparation instructions that suit when you plan to eat the croissants. Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean lactose-free, and you can’t assume that every croissant contains baker’s salt.
A clear gluten-free label and information about the product are important if you also want to avoid cross-contamination. The Voedingscentrum advises checking the label on gluten-free products and points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms for people with coeliac disease.
As well as gluten, allergens such as egg, milk, soya or nuts may be a concern. Check the full allergen information for the specific croissant: the words ‘gluten-free’ don’t answer those other questions.
If you’re buying croissants for later, storage and preparation instructions are useful too. The products described differ in this respect: some are ready to bake, while others are frozen or need to be stored in a cool, dry place.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the croissant is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Then compare the other allergens and the storage and preparation instructions, to make sure they fit with your shopping plans too.
| What to check | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and read the current product information. If you’re buying unpackaged goods from a market stall, ask about the allergen information and how the product is prepared and handled before you buy. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a verbal impression when buying a croissant for breakfast. For around 50% of shoppers, reassurance about the gluten-free label comes first. |
| Other allergens | Check what the specific variety contains and may contain; also look out for wheat starch if wheat is a separate concern for you. | As well as gluten, I may need to avoid allergens such as egg or milk, so I want to know whether this particular pack is suitable. Around 25% of shoppers give these additional allergens top priority. |
| Storage and preparation | Compare the number of croissants, the storage instructions and the equipment needed. For frozen croissants, check the instructions for after thawing. | If I’m planning breakfast for later, I want to be able to store the croissants and prepare them when I need them, without opening more than necessary. For around 25% of shoppers, this kind of planning matters most. |
An ordinary croissant is not an interchangeable alternative to a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Voedingscentrum says that even a small amount of gluten, for example from a breadcrumb, can cause symptoms for people with coeliac disease.
Choose a croissant that is clearly labelled gluten-free. Before buying unpackaged croissants, ask about the allergen information and how the product is prepared and handled. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods.
The Schär croissants described contain egg, milk and wheat starch; the Consenza croissants described contain egg, milk and soya. A gluten-free label therefore tells you nothing about other allergens.
Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the variety you’re buying, including what the product may contain.
According to Jumbo’s product information, the Schär croissants described must not be refrozen after thawing and should be eaten within one day. The AH croissants described are not suitable for home freezing and have a limited shelf life once opened.
Choose the number of croissants and storage method to suit when you plan to eat them. Check the instructions for opening, freezing and thawing before you buy.
The Voedingscentrum says bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So the fact that salt is listed for one croissant tells you nothing about the ingredients in another.
If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
These examples show why it’s worth checking the label and instructions for each variety; the features listed don’t necessarily apply to every croissant from the same brand.
Albert Heijn describes a pack of two pre-baked gluten-free croissants to finish baking at home in the oven or air fryer.
Jumbo describes a frozen pack of four gluten-free puff pastry croissants, weighing 220 g in total.
Jumbo describes a pack of three gluten-free croissants weighing 60 g each, to be stored in a cool, dry place.
No. If you have coeliac disease, choose a croissant that is clearly labelled gluten-free or whose product information explicitly confirms that it is. The Voedingscentrum advises checking the label and points out that even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms.
Yes, ask about any allergens that are relevant to you before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for unpackaged foods must be provided to consumers in another way. However, that information alone does not confirm that a croissant is gluten-free.
No, it varies from one croissant to another. According to Albert Heijn, the AH variety described is lactose-free but may contain egg; the Schär variety described contains egg and milk, while the Consenza variety described contains egg, milk and soya. Check the current packaging for the variety you’re buying.
No, you can’t assume that every croissant does. The Voedingscentrum says bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So check the ingredients for the specific croissant rather than making assumptions based on the product category.
