Choose a croissant as a sourdough croissant only if the packaging or baker confirms that sourdough or a starter was used to prove the dough; an artisanal look alone tells you nothing. For a breakfast with an older diner, nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions are also important, especially for filled or chilled varieties.
Wants to choose a croissant for a retirement breakfast that is clearly made with sourdough, rather than relying on words such as fresh or artisanal. Albert Heijn describes sourdough as dough made with a starter.
Wants to consider how a croissant fits into their overall diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients as you get older and recommends limiting foods that are high in energy but low in nutrients.
Needs clear allergen information before buying, and also checks the use-by date and storage instructions for filled or chilled croissants. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, people over 70 are more susceptible to foodborne illness.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Use of sourdough | Ask whether sourdough or a starter was used to prove the dough. Words such as fresh and artisanal do not confirm this. | I specifically want a croissant with a recognisable sourdough character, not just a name that suggests it. Around 44% of consumers prioritise choosing sourdough. |
| Nutritional information | Compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g and per serving eaten, paying attention to fibre, protein, salt and saturated fat. | If the croissant is part of an older person's breakfast, I want to know how it fits with the rest of what they eat. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Allergens and storage | Check the allergen information before buying, and follow the use-by date and storage instructions for chilled or filled varieties. | If there is an allergy or a perishable filling, I want to know what is in the croissant and how to store it before serving. This is the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
A croissant can be fresh without sourdough being used to prove the dough. Albert Heijn lists several types of croissant, while the name OerDesem in its range refers to bread.
Look for information about sourdough or a starter on the croissant itself, and ask how it is used in the proving process if necessary.
The nutritional value of an older person's overall diet matters. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends limiting foods that are high in energy but low in nutrients.
Check the nutritional information per serving eaten and consider the croissant alongside the rest of the breakfast.
If you need to avoid an allergen, you need the information before choosing a croissant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label, and it must be available before purchase for unpackaged products.
Read the label or ask the seller about relevant allergens if you are buying a loose croissant.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker's salt is not compulsory. So you cannot assume that every croissant contains it.
Check the information for the specific product or ask the baker which salt was used.
Albert Heijn lists fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants in its online range. OerDesem is listed separately under bread.
This croissant is worth considering if you want to check whether sourdough is mentioned for a retirement breakfast. Make sure you specifically check whether sourdough is used to prove the dough.
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If you are specifically looking for sourdough for a retirement breakfast, check what role the wheat sourdough listed for this product plays alongside the yeast in the proving process.
The pack contains 4 croissants and weighs 180 g. Check the allergens on the label and compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving eaten.
No, the name sourdough does not necessarily mean that. Check the ingredients and, if you are specifically looking for a croissant made with sourdough, ask what role the starter plays in the proving process.
Not automatically. Sourdough does not mean gluten-free; check the allergen information and look for a gluten-free statement on the specific product.
Ask the seller before buying if the information is not visible. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be available before purchase for unpackaged foods.
Follow the use-by date and storage instructions for the product you choose, especially for a chilled or filled croissant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that people over 70 are more susceptible to foodborne illness.
No, you cannot assume this for every croissant. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker's salt is not compulsory; check the product information or ask the baker which salt was used.
