Shoppers who prioritise organic
You want to be able to tell from the packaging whether a croissant is organic. The European organic logo and the accompanying label information can help you do this, as explained by Skal Biocontrole.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Shoppers comparing nutritional values
You check how much saturated fat, salt and fibre a croissant contains, and whether the values are given per 100 g or per serving. An organic logo is no substitute for making this comparison.
Shoppers looking for plant-based food
You’re looking for a croissant without animal-derived ingredients, so you check the current ingredients and allergen information. Plant-based and organic are separate product attributes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which attribute matters most to you. Then check the other label details too: an organic label alone tells you nothing about the nutritional values or whether the product is plant-based.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic status | For a pre-packed croissant, look for the European organic logo and information about the control body and the origin of the agricultural ingredients. Skal Biocontrole explains these label details. | If the production method is my main reason for choosing a croissant, I want to be able to check the organic label on the packaging. This verifiable organic status is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Compare saturated fat, salt and fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g, and check the serving size. | If I’m comparing croissants as part of my diet, the nutritional values of the serving I eat matter to me. Around 36% of consumers give this nutritional comparison top priority. |
| Plant-based ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product; check for a plant-based label separately from an organic logo. | If I want to avoid animal-derived ingredients or need to watch out for certain allergens, I start by checking the croissant’s ingredients. This is the main concern for around 28% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming organic means better nutritional value
An organic logo relates to the production method. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that organic food is generally not demonstrably healthier than conventionally produced food. For an average 45 g croissant, it lists 5 g of saturated fat, 1.1 g of fibre and 0.53 g of salt; individual products may differ.
Use the logo to guide your choice of organic production, and compare saturated fat, salt, fibre and serving size separately on the label.
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Assuming plant-based means organic or high in fibre
A plant-based label does not confirm organic origins or a particular fibre content. Jumbo, for example, describes its plant-based croissant as low in fibre.
Check organic status, ingredients and nutritional values separately.
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Relying solely on an online ingredients list
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn also points this out in the product information for its organic croissants.
Read the packaging of the croissants you actually buy or receive, especially if a particular ingredient is crucial to your choice.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. This does not mean that every croissant contains iodised salt; PLUS does list it for its butter croissants.
Check the ingredients list for the specific product.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Biologisch Croissants. This makes the range worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a croissant labelled organic.
- The product name makes it clear which croissants to look for on the label.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and the organic logo; Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a plant-based croissant, among other products. It’s worth considering if avoiding animal-derived ingredients is your first selection criterion.
- The plant-based label helps you focus on the ingredients in this variety.
- Jumbo describes this croissant as low in fibre. Don’t treat the plant-based label as proof that it is organic.
PLUS
The product information for PLUS butter croissants lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, so you can compare this specific variety.
- PLUS also provides cooking instructions for the oven and air fryer for this product.
- According to PLUS, these butter croissants contain milk and cereals containing gluten, and have a Nutri-Score of E. Check the packaging separately for any organic status.
Lidl
Lidl offers croissants to bake at home, making them an option if how they’re prepared matters to you.
- The product description makes it clear that these are bake-at-home croissants.
- Check the packaging in store for ingredients, nutritional values and any organic label.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants offer different options for baking at home, eating straight away and comparing ingredients. If organic is a must for you, check the logo and accompanying information on the current packaging for each product.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
An option if you want to bake croissants at home. Compare the nutritional values on the packaging if saturated fat, salt or fibre matters to you.
For an organic option, check the logo on the packaging. If you have allergies, also read the latest information about possible traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant, 85 g
An individually wrapped option that’s ready to eat without baking. Check the sugar value on the packaging: the stated 0 g of sugars doesn’t match the sugar and glucose syrup listed in the ingredients.
Also read the latest allergen information if cereals containing gluten, egg or milk are relevant to you. Check the packaging separately for an organic label.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A butter croissant to compare if organic or plant-based isn’t a requirement. The pack contains four croissants with a total weight of 180 g.
Check the packaging before comparing nutritional values with other croissants, so you know whether the figures are per 100 g or per serving. Also read the latest allergen information and, if you prefer organic, look for the logo.
Frequently asked questions
How can I recognise a pre-packed organic croissant?
Look for the European organic logo on the packaging. Skal Biocontrole explains that the label on pre-packed organic consumer products should also include information about the control body, the origin of the agricultural ingredients and the organic ingredients.
Does an organic croissant automatically have better nutritional values?
No. An organic label alone tells you nothing about a croissant’s nutritional values. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that organic food is generally not demonstrably healthier than conventionally produced food, so compare the values and serving sizes of the products you’re considering.
Is a plant-based croissant also organic?
Not necessarily: check the plant-based ingredients and organic origins separately. Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and look for the logo on the packaging if you want an organic option.
Does every croissant contain iodised salt?
No, don’t assume so without product-specific information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt; check the ingredients list of the croissant you choose.