For a lunch with someone who has coeliac disease, choose a croissant labelled gluten-free, and prepare and serve it separately from bread rolls containing gluten. Then compare the allergens, pack size and storage instructions: AH has a pack of two part-baked croissants, Schär a pack of four frozen croissants, and Consenza a pack of three with a long shelf life. Always check the label on the pack you choose when you buy it.
If someone with coeliac disease is joining you for lunch, choosing a product involves more than checking the label: you also need to prevent contact with crumbs containing gluten during preparation and serving. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of avoiding cross-contamination.
For a school holiday lunch, the number of croissants in a pack, whether you need an oven, air fryer or microwave, and the storage instructions all matter. These vary between the products listed.
If you also need to avoid eggs, milk, soya or other allergens, the gluten-free label alone isn’t enough. Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for the specific product.
Start by checking the gluten-free label and how the croissants should be prepared and served. Then compare the allergens, packaging and storage instructions with what you need for your lunch.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free preparation and serving | Check the gluten-free label. Use clean hands, a clean work surface and separate utensils. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to make sure a gluten-free croissant doesn’t come into contact with crumbs containing gluten. For around 42% of shoppers, safe handling comes first. |
| Portions, preparation and storage | Compare the number of croissants, storage instructions, and the equipment and preparation time required, as shown on the pack. | For a lunch that needs to be prepared quickly, I want a pack that suits the number of people eating and the equipment I can use. Around 25% of shoppers prioritise this practical convenience. |
| Other allergens | Read the full ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I need to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, I want to know whether this particular croissant meets that requirement. For around 17% of shoppers, this additional check is the top priority. |
| Nutritional information and iodine | Check the nutritional information. If you have questions about iodine, see whether iodised baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. | If croissants are a regular part of lunch, I want to be able to assess their nutritional information without assuming they’re made with iodised baker’s salt. For around 16% of shoppers, this nutritional question matters most. |
The Schär croissants mentioned contain egg and milk, Consenza lists egg and soya, and AH states that its gluten-free croissants may contain egg. So a gluten-free label won’t answer every allergy question.
When buying, read the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen, including any statements about possible traces.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, cross-contamination can occur via hands, worktops, cutlery and shared fillings, among other things.
Use clean, separate equipment and serve the gluten-free croissants apart from products containing gluten.
Schär Croissant à la Française is a frozen product with instructions for use after thawing. According to PLUS, Consenza croissants should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Choose a pack that suits the storage space you have and read the storage instructions before preparing it.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether a product contains iodine just from the name ‘croissant’.
Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer whether iodised baker’s salt is used if this matters to your choice.
Albert Heijn describes a pack of two part-baked gluten-free croissants for the oven or air fryer.
Schär Croissant à la Française is a pack of four frozen gluten-free croissants, featured on the product pages of Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
PLUS describes Consenza Croissants as a pack of three with a long shelf life, which can be prepared in the oven or microwave.
The PLUS product page provides information about Consenza Croissants in a pack of three.
Jumbo has a product page for Schär Croissant à la Française, a pack of four frozen croissants.
Yes. A product made with gluten-free wheat starch can be labelled gluten-free if it meets the requirements for that claim. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ means no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you have a separate wheat allergy, check the allergen information too, as Schär lists wheat for this croissant.
Prepare and serve the gluten-free croissants separately, using clean hands, a clean work surface and clean utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society also warns about cross-contamination from shared fillings or cutlery.
No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this Schär croissant must not be refrozen after thawing. Keep it in the fridge and eat it within one day.
No. You can’t tell from the gluten-free label or product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer whether it’s used in this croissant.
