Only choose a croissant as a wholemeal option for nursery lunch if it is explicitly labelled as wholemeal; seeds or a dark colour are no proof. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread as part of breakfast and lunch for children aged 1 to 3, so it’s better to treat a croissant as a change rather than an automatic daily substitute for bread. Before serving, check the latest allergen information and the nursery’s policies.
For anyone who wants to check the wholemeal status on the product information, rather than infer it from seeds or colour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority links the wholemeal label to the grain ingredient in a product.
For anyone who needs to check the ingredients and allergens against the children’s requirements and the nursery’s policy before handing out food.
For anyone considering a croissant for a change, while wanting to keep bread as the regular basis for lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread as part of breakfast and lunch for children aged 1 to 3.
First, check that the croissant is actually labelled as wholemeal and that its allergen information fits the nursery’s policies. Then decide what place it will have in the lunch menu.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal status | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list; seeds or a dark colour are no proof. | If I’m looking for a wholemeal croissant for the nursery, I want to be able to check the label before adding the product to the menu. This could be the top priority for around 31% of the consumers concerned. |
| Allergens and nursery policies | Check the latest information on wheat and other allergens, and compare any cross-contamination warnings with the individual requirements. | When I’m handing out food to several children, I need to know whether a croissant fits their allergen requirements. This could also be the main concern for around 31% of the consumers concerned. |
| Place in the lunch menu | Decide whether the croissant is for a change or would replace bread on regular lunch days. | I want to add variety without inadvertently replacing the usual bread-based lunch. This could be the main consideration for around 23% of the consumers concerned. |
| Purchasing and variety | Check the current range before planning, and keep a suitable bread option in reserve. | If I’m planning lunches for the nursery, I need an alternative in case the croissant I want isn’t available. For around 15% of the consumers concerned, being able to shop practically could be the top priority. |
A multiseed croissant or a dark bread roll isn’t necessarily wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product cannot be called wholemeal if its grain ingredient is not made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Check for an explicit label and see which types of flour are listed in the ingredients.
A product’s ingredients and allergen information can change. So an earlier check is no substitute for checking the information on the croissants you’re about to hand out.
Read the latest packaging when you buy or receive the product, and follow the individual requirements and the nursery’s policy.
A wholemeal label alone doesn’t tell you what place a croissant should have in the daily lunch menu. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread as part of breakfast and lunch for children aged 1 to 3.
Plan a croissant as a change, and consider the regular basis of the lunch separately.
Albert Heijn stocks an AH multiseed croissant.
Jumbo provides information about some bake-at-home products and also stocks wholemeal rolls.
Lidl lists a butter croissant and provides information on the ingredients and allergens in its freshly baked bread.
ALDI lists croissants, bake-at-home rolls and wholemeal bread products as separate options.
PLUS lists wholemeal bread and wholemeal crackers online.
Dirk lists croissants alongside wholemeal rolls and bread rolls.
No. Seeds and a dark colour don’t tell you whether the grain ingredient is made entirely from wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority links the wholemeal label to that grain ingredient, so check for an explicit label and read the ingredients list.
A croissant could be considered as a change, but it isn’t automatically a daily substitute for bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes bread as part of breakfast and lunch for children aged 1 to 3. Also check the information for the croissant you choose and the nursery’s policies.
Read the latest packaging and compare the listed allergens and any cross-contamination warnings with the individual requirements and the nursery’s policy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Use it as a starting point, but check the packaging of the product you’re actually going to hand out when you buy or receive it. Albert Heijn, for example, points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
