For a fakeaway night with someone who has coeliac disease, start by checking the individual packaging. Look for the ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary croissants. Then check which preparation method suits your evening: PLUS gives both oven and microwave instructions for Consenza. Always check the current ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
You’ll want to check the label on the individual pack and heat and serve the croissant without it coming into contact with crumbs from ordinary croissants. The Voedingscentrum (Dutch Nutrition Centre) identifies ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol as things to look out for.
You’ll want to know which appliance you need and how long it will take. PLUS gives instructions for Consenza: 10 minutes in an oven at 200 °C or 20 seconds in an 800 W microwave. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
You’ll want to check in advance which shop stocks a specific gluten-free croissant and how many are in the pack. Check that the product is available at your chosen shop shortly before you buy.
If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, first check the individual pack and the area where you’ll prepare the croissant. Then compare the preparation instructions and pack size for your fakeaway night.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free option and preparation | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the individual pack. Use clean utensils and a surface free from crumbs from ordinary croissants. | If I’m serving someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the shelf label or put the croissant down among ordinary bread crumbs. Around 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Preparation time | Check the preparation instructions on the pack and make sure you have the required appliance. For Consenza, PLUS gives instructions for 200 °C and 10 minutes in the oven, or 800 W and 20 seconds in the microwave. | If the warm croissant needs to be on the table at a particular time, I want to know in advance how long it takes to prepare. For around 30% of consumers, planning this is the most important factor. |
| Shop and pack | Check whether the shop stocks the specific croissant, and compare the number of croissants and the total weight. Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Croissants in a pack of two; Jumbo lists Schär Croissant à la Française as a frozen pack of four, weighing 220 g. | If I’m shopping for several people, I want to know whether I can find the right product and whether the pack will suit the group. Around 20% of consumers give this consideration priority. |
The way a shop organises its shelves doesn’t tell you for certain whether an individual croissant is gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, contact with crumbs during preparation and serving matters too.
Check the individual pack for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, and use clean utensils. The Voedingscentrum points to these labels as things to look out for.
The short microwave instructions for Consenza don’t tell you whether the product is suitable for people with other allergies. PLUS lists egg and soya, and warns that the product may contain traces of sesame, lupin and nuts.
As well as the preparation instructions, check the current allergen information for everyone who’ll be eating.
The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume a croissant contains iodine just from the word ‘croissant’.
If baker’s salt matters to you, check the ingredients of the product you choose.
Jumbo and PLUS list pre-packed gluten-free croissants from Consenza. PLUS describes a bag containing three croissants and weighing 180 g.
Jumbo lists Schär Croissant à la Française Glutenvrij as a frozen product in a pack of four, weighing 220 g.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Croissants in its range overview, in packs of two.
Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the individual pack, and read the current label. Use clean utensils when heating and serving, and make sure they’re free from crumbs from ordinary croissants. The Voedingscentrum stresses that even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease.
PLUS gives instructions for Consenza: 10 minutes in an oven at 200 °C or 20 seconds in an 800 W microwave. If the instructions differ, follow those on the pack you actually buy.
No, don’t assume that: PLUS lists egg and soya, and warns that the product may contain traces of sesame, lupin and nuts. Check the current allergen information for everyone at the table.
No, you can’t assume that. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the croissant you choose if you want to know what type of salt it contains.
No, check the specific product with the shop where you plan to do your food shopping. PLUS lists Consenza, but a general gluten-free range doesn’t necessarily mean that a shop stocks gluten-free croissants.
