When choosing a sourdough croissant, don’t rely on the word ‘sourdough’: check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product instead. AH butter croissants contain wheat and butter; other butter croissants we looked at also list egg and warnings about the possible presence of nuts. If you need to avoid any of these allergens, check for ‘may contain’ warnings too. For loose croissants, ask for the information for the specific product you want to buy.
If you have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy, the key thing is which grains are in the exact croissant. According to Albert Heijn, its AH butter croissants contain wheat flour and sourdough made with wheat and spelt. So ‘sourdough’ does not mean this product is gluten-free or wheat-free.
Butter means milk is one to watch out for. Also check whether each product contains egg and whether it carries a warning about nuts. For example, Albert Heijn lists egg and milk for its luxury butter croissant, with a possible presence of almond and hazelnut.
When buying a loose croissant, you’ll want to know which allergens apply to that specific product before you buy it. If needed, ask about possible cross-contamination too: Jumbo says this cannot be ruled out for certain products packaged in store.
Start with the allergens you need to avoid. Then compare information about possible presence, and only after that check whether a sourdough croissant fits your other preferences.
| What to check | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens present | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including details of wheat, other gluten-containing cereals, milk and egg. | If I have to avoid an allergen strictly, whether it is listed determines whether this croissant is suitable for me. For around 50% of consumers, avoiding an allergen that is present is the top priority. |
| Possible presence | Check ‘may contain’ warnings. For a loose croissant, ask for up-to-date allergen information and details of possible cross-contamination. | I’ll only consider a loose croissant if I can also assess the risk of cross-contamination. Around 30% of consumers say this is their main concern. |
| What sourdough means | Check which grains the sourdough is made from; treat iodised salt as an ingredient, not as an indication of allergens. | I want to choose a sourdough croissant without assuming what it contains from its name. For around 20% of consumers, understanding the ingredient information correctly is their main concern. |
Sourdough itself can be made from wheat or spelt. Albert Heijn lists both grains in the sourdough used in its butter croissants, alongside wheat flour.
If you need to avoid gluten or wheat, look for a product that meets that requirement, then check the other allergens on the packaging.
The ingredients list and a warning about possible presence answer different questions. Albert Heijn’s luxury butter croissant lists almond and hazelnut as potentially present.
Read both for the exact product, and take any warning into account when deciding, in line with the advice that applies to your allergy.
The name doesn’t tell you which allergens apply to the product currently on sale. Information about allergens present also doesn’t automatically mean cross-contamination has been ruled out; Jumbo highlights this for certain products packaged in store.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for that croissant and discuss possible cross-contamination if you need to take it into account.
On its own, iodised salt tells you nothing about the presence of wheat, milk, egg or nuts. It is a separate ingredient on the list.
Check the allergens first, then look at iodised salt only if that ingredient information is relevant to you.
A brand name doesn’t tell you enough about allergens. Always compare the exact croissant and check the latest information when you buy it.
Useful for comparing a packaged sourdough butter croissant with a loose luxury butter croissant.
Useful for comparing a small and a luxury butter croissant at product level.
Useful if you need allergen information for an unpackaged fresh bakery product.
Useful if you’re considering buying a loose butter croissant in store.
Useful if you’re considering a loose butter croissant or another freshly baked bakery product.
No, not automatically: the grain used is one of the factors that determines whether a croissant contains gluten. According to Albert Heijn, its AH butter croissants contain wheat flour and sourdough made with wheat and spelt. So check the exact ingredients and look for a gluten-free label rather than relying on the word ‘sourdough’.
At the very least, check for the allergens you need to avoid, both among the ingredients and in any ‘may contain’ warnings. The butter croissants we looked at list ingredients including wheat, milk and egg; the possible presence of soya or nuts varies by product.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for that specific croissant. If it’s relevant to you, ask separately about possible cross-contamination too. Jumbo says that cross-contamination with other allergens cannot be ruled out for certain products packaged in store.
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The AH butter croissants and the PLUS luxury butter croissant we looked at list iodised salt, but for any other product you’ll need to check its own ingredients list. Iodised salt tells you nothing about the presence of allergens.
Because ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that their product information may be updated, so check the packaging of the croissant you’re actually buying.
