Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents of children with coeliac disease

For them, it’s important to check the current ‘gluten-free’ labelling and any warnings on the packaging, and to avoid contact with gluten-containing foods when packing the croissant.

Families who also need to avoid other ingredients

Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from egg, milk, wheat or other allergens. The croissants we looked at differ in these respects.

Families short on time on school mornings

A bake-at-home or frozen croissant needs preparation. The equipment required, preparation time and storage instructions all determine whether it fits into your morning routine.

What should you look for?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms if you have coeliac disease. So start by checking the packaging and preventing cross-contamination. Then compare the other allergens, preparation requirements and quantity per pack.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling and cross-contamination Check the current gluten-free labelling and any warnings. Keep the croissant separate from gluten-containing bread when preparing and packing it. When I pack food for a child with coeliac disease, I want to avoid the croissant coming into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. For around 36% of consumers, checking that it is gluten-free comes first.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack. ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t tell you whether it is free from egg, milk or other allergens. If egg or milk also needs to be avoided, I want to know whether the croissant I choose is suitable. Around 29% of consumers say this additional check is their top priority.
Preparation and storage Check what equipment you’ll need, how long preparation takes and what to do with the product after defrosting. On a busy school morning, I don’t want to discover at breakfast time that the croissant still needs defrosting or baking. This preparation is the biggest consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Pack size and stock Compare the number of croissants with the planned eating occasions and the storage instructions. If I buy croissants for several school days, I want to be able to use individual portions without going against the storage instructions. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    According to Jumbo, Schär’s croissant contains egg and milk. Albert Heijn describes the version we looked at as lactose-free and vegan, but also warns that it may contain egg.

    If other allergens are a concern, check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack every time you buy.

  • Assuming a bake-at-home or frozen croissant is ready to eat

    AH Glutenvrij needs to be baked. The Schär croissant we looked at has separate storage and consumption instructions for after defrosting.

    Plan ahead before the school morning and follow the pack instructions for freezing, defrosting and storage.

  • Relying solely on the product page

    Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen declarations can change. An earlier online description may not match the packaging of the product you buy.

    Use product pages to compare options, but check the label again when you buy.

  • Skipping nutritional information because it says gluten-free

    The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value of a croissant.

    If you wish, compare the fat, sugar and salt content per 100 g and per portion on the packs you’re considering.

Brands compared

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn describes the pack we looked at as containing two gluten-free croissants to bake at home.

  • The product page says they are lactose-free and vegan, and that they are made in a completely gluten-free production environment.
  • The croissants need to be baked, the allergen declaration says they may contain egg, and they are not suitable for refreezing at home.

Schär

Jumbo describes the Schär Croissant à la Française we looked at as a gluten-free frozen product, with four croissants per pack.

  • The frozen pack may suit anyone who plans ahead for when they’ll eat the croissants.
  • According to Jumbo, this product contains egg, milk and wheat. The packaging also warns that it may contain, among other things, hazelnut, mustard and soya. Follow the storage instructions after defrosting.

Consenza

For the pack of three Consenza croissants we looked at, PLUS lists them as wheat-free and lactose-free.

  • The product page gives instructions for both oven and microwave preparation.
  • Before buying, check all the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, even if the wheat-free and lactose-free claims meet your needs.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a croissant containing wheat starch still be gluten-free?

Yes. Under certain conditions, a product containing an ingredient derived from a gluten-containing grain can be labelled ‘gluten-free’, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Check both that claim and the current ingredients and allergens. If you have a wheat allergy, the separate wheat declaration remains important.

Are gluten-free croissants also suitable for people with an egg or milk allergy?

Not automatically. According to Jumbo, the Schär croissant we looked at contains egg and milk. Albert Heijn says its lactose-free, vegan version may contain egg. Check the allergen information on the packaging of every croissant you choose.

What should I prepare before taking a croissant to school?

It depends on the croissant you choose: AH Glutenvrij needs to be baked, Schär requires you to plan for defrosting and storage, and PLUS provides oven and microwave instructions for Consenza. Follow the instructions on the current packaging and check with the school what arrangements apply to bringing and storing food.