Christmas market visitors looking for seeds and texture
If you want a croissant with visible seeds, check the ingredients rather than relying on the name alone. Albert Heijn lists linseeds and sunflower seeds in its multi-seed croissant.
Who is this relevant to?
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
If the ingredients are important to your purchase, you’ll need information about things such as the grains and milk ingredients used. For unpackaged food, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be available before purchase.
Stallholders selling croissants
If you’re selling croissants at a Christmas market, you’ll need to consider hygiene, allergen information and suitable storage, as well as your choice of product. Storage needs particular attention when croissants have perishable fillings, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want a seeded croissant to serve straight away or one you can bake on site. Then check the ingredients of that specific product and, if you’re selling from a stall, how you’ll serve it safely.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed and what type of flour is used. Seeds don’t automatically make a croissant wholemeal. | I want to see the seeds and enjoy their texture in my croissant. This is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label or, if the croissants are unpackaged, ask about allergens before buying. This includes the specific types of grain and any nuts, where applicable. | If the ingredients are key to my choice, I don’t want to have to rely on the product name. An estimated 33% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Safe serving | Decide whether you’ll serve the croissants unpackaged, filled or prepared on site, and make sure your hygiene, allergen information and storage arrangements are suitable. | If I’m selling from a stall, my chosen way of serving the croissants needs to be practical and safe. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing multi-seed with wholemeal
Seeds can also be added to croissants made with other types of flour. So the name doesn’t tell you which flour was used or how much fibre the product contains.
Compare the ingredients and, if you want to assess the nutritional value, check the nutrition information per 100 g and the serving size.
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Assuming seeds mean there’s no allergen concern
A seeded croissant may also contain gluten-containing cereals and milk ingredients. Ingredients and warnings can vary from product to product.
Read the latest label. If you’re buying unpackaged croissants, ask which allergens they contain before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires this information to be available.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt
Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but its use isn’t compulsory, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So the product category alone won’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the baker.
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Selling unpackaged or filled croissants without a serving plan
At markets and events, food must be prepared, stored and served safely and hygienically. Filling croissants or preparing them on site changes the steps you’ll need to take and the storage options you’ll need to arrange.
Before you buy, decide how you’ll serve the croissants and put the right hygiene and allergen information measures in place, along with temperature control where needed. Follow the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s guidance for markets and events.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a multi-seed croissant containing linseeds and sunflower seeds.
- The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this specific croissant.
- Check the latest label when you buy it: Albert Heijn says product information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s croissant range includes different options, including frozen croissants for baking at home.
- The different product types make it easier to choose between serving croissants straight away and baking them yourself.
- Check whether the specific product you choose contains seeds, and check its ingredients and baking instructions.
Lidl
Lidl lists a multi-seed croissant and also has a fresh-from-the-oven bakery range.
- The multi-seed option is a specific product to consider when choosing.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, check the information for the product you actually buy.
Joybuy products related to this topic
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Frequently asked questions
Is a multi-seed croissant automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, seeds can be added to different types of bread; the type of flour used determines whether a product is wholemeal. Check the croissant’s ingredients list to find out.
Does a Christmas market stall have to provide allergen information for unpackaged croissants?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged foods must be available before purchase. If necessary, ask which specific gluten-containing cereals or nuts are present in the croissant being sold.
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in that particular croissant.
What changes if I sell filled croissants at a Christmas market?
The filling and preparation method determine how the croissants need to be stored and handled. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires food at markets and events to be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically. If the fillings are perishable, check how you’ll maintain the required temperature.