If you’re buying an organic croissant with seeds, check the organic label on the packaging and look separately at the seeds listed in the ingredients. A name such as ‘multiseed’ doesn’t prove that the product was made organically or tell you anything about allergens. Compare the nutritional values of different croissants per 100 g.
You want to check on the packaging whether a croissant is organic, rather than relying on the shop or product name. The Dutch Government says ‘organic’ is a protected term, while Skal Biocontrole explains when the EU logo is compulsory.
You’re looking for a croissant with visible seeds or kernels. The ingredients list gives you a clearer idea of what’s inside than the name ‘multiseed’ alone; Albert Heijn lists linseed and sunflower seeds in its AH Meerzaden croissant.
You want to check the nutritional values, portion size or allergens before choosing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g and checking the allergen information.
Check the organic credentials and seed ingredients separately. Then look at the nutritional information and allergens for the specific croissant.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Organic credentials | Check the organic label on the packaging. According to Skal Biocontrole, the EU organic logo is compulsory on pre-packed organic food produced in the EU. | When buying organic food, I want to be able to check the origin of my croissant on the packaging. For around 33% of consumers, that reassurance would be the first condition for making a purchase. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds or kernels are listed in the ingredients and look at any quantities given; don’t rely on ‘multiseed’ alone. | For breakfast, I’m specifically looking for a croissant with seeds for the texture, not just because of its name. The seed mix would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value and portion | Compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt per 100 g. Then check the weight of each croissant. | When comparing croissants of different sizes, I want to understand both the nutritional value and the portion size. Around 20% of consumers would consider this the most important criterion. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. If the croissant is unpackaged, ask the shop for the information. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to know which allergens are listed for this croissant. For around 20% of consumers, this information would carry the most weight. |
A croissant can contain seeds without this proving that it was made organically. Albert Heijn lists linseed and sunflower seeds in its AH Meerzaden croissant; those ingredients alone don’t confirm organic status.
Check the organic label on the packaging, then look at which seeds are listed in the ingredients.
Comparing croissants individually can be misleading if the portions are different sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses a 45 g croissant for its nutritional data; Albert Heijn lists its AH Meerzaden croissant as weighing 80 g.
First compare the nutritional value per 100 g, then check the weight of one croissant.
The seeds tell you nothing about the other ingredients. According to Albert Heijn, the AH Meerzaden croissant also contains cereals containing gluten and milk, among other ingredients; it also provides information about the possible presence of other allergens.
Check the current label when buying, and ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bakery products.
Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its AH Meerzaden croissant. That doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in another croissant.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list of the product you want to buy.
Albert Heijn lists the AH Meerzaden croissant as a specific seeded option in its croissant range.
Ekoplaza specialises in organic food shopping and could be a good place to look if organic credentials are your priority.
Odin is a retailer specialising in organic food in the Netherlands.
Check for an organic label and, where applicable, the EU organic logo. The Dutch Government says ‘organic’ is a protected term; Skal Biocontrole states that the logo is compulsory on pre-packed organic food produced in the EU.
No, the name ‘multiseed’ doesn’t describe how the croissant was produced. Check the ingredients list to see which seeds it contains, and look separately for the organic label on the packaging.
First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the weight of each croissant. This lets you compare energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt on the same basis, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Yes, the presence of seeds doesn’t rule out other allergens. Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten and milk, among other ingredients, in its AH Meerzaden croissant; check the current allergen information for every croissant.
Don’t assume that every croissant contains iodised salt. According to Albert Heijn, the AH Meerzaden croissant does; check the ingredients list for any other croissant.
