Does ‘medium sliced’ mean the canteen needs filled, sliced portions for lunch? First, clarify whether you mean a whole croissant, croissant loaf or sliced sandwich loaf; these are different products and aren’t interchangeable. Chilled, ready-to-bake croissants may suit smaller quantities, while foodservice croissants are worth comparing for regular service. For your chosen product, confirm the portion weight, preparation method, storage requirements, allergens and ingredients.
They need a portion size and baking process that fit the available refrigeration, freezer and oven capacity. Products from Jumbo, La Lorraine Bakery Group and Europastry show why you should compare the weight and preparation method of each product.
They need to know whether ‘sliced’ means a pre-sliced product, rather than a medium-sized whole croissant. Croissant loaf is a separate product type, so confirm the required cut before ordering.
They need to check the allergens for each product individually and make the information available at the point of service. For example, Consenza’s gluten-free croissants contain egg, milk and soya.
Suitable when: you need smaller quantities and have enough chilled storage; Jumbo lists six 40 g portions in its pack.
Trade-off: Jumbo’s product is a whole croissant, so it won’t meet a requirement for pre-sliced sandwich bread.
Suitable when: you serve croissants regularly and need the weight and preparation method to fit your production schedule. La Lorraine Bakery Group lists several weights in its Dutch range.
Trade-off: storage requirements and oven capacity vary by product. Europastry specifies a baking time of 12–15 minutes at 180–190 °C for its 42.5 g Horeca Croissant.
Suitable when: evenly sized slices that are easy to fill are essential, rather than whole croissants.
Trade-off: check the product type and cut of the product currently available. The croissant loaf shown as an example by Albert Heijn is no longer in its range.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Product type and portion | Specify the required weight in grams and decide whether the product should be whole or sliced. | For filled lunch portions, I want slices that can be portioned consistently. Around 27% of consumers say this serving format is their top priority. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens for each product, including any ‘may contain’ statements. | If staff need to avoid different allergens, I want to be able to give them accurate product information before buying. Around 27% of consumers say this information is their highest priority. |
| Nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per portion, including energy, saturated fat, fibre, protein and salt. | If I serve croissants regularly at lunch, I want to know what each portion contains. Around 20% of consumers give this consideration priority. |
| Preparation and storage | Confirm the storage instructions, baking time and number of portions per pack for the product you choose. | During the lunchtime rush, I want to be able to prepare the portions I need using the oven and storage capacity available. Around 26% of consumers say this is their main concern. |
The description doesn’t make clear whether ‘medium’ refers to the weight or ‘sliced’ means pre-cut portions. Foodservice ranges include different piece weights, while croissant loaf is a different product type.
In your enquiry, specify the required weight in grams, the cut and how you plan to serve it at lunch.
Jumbo’s plant-based croissant contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. Consenza’s gluten-free croissants contain egg, milk and soya. These two claims therefore answer different questions.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each product variant individually.
The portion served may vary from one product to another. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists nutritional values for a 45 g croissant; these won’t automatically apply to a different product or portion size.
Use the nutritional information for the product you choose and compare the values for an actual lunch portion too.
Whether a product contains iodised salt is a product-specific feature; you can’t infer it from the word ‘croissant’.
Check the current ingredients list and, if needed, request a product specification from the supplier for the item your canteen wants to buy.
A retail reference for packaged, ready-to-bake croissants and a plant-based option.
A product reference if you’re considering gluten-free croissants.
A foodservice range with croissants in different weights and product types.
A hospitality range with product-specific preparation information.
A reference for croissant loaf as a separate product type that can be sliced.
No. A whole croissant and sliced sandwich bread need to be filled and served differently. Before ordering, make it clear whether ‘sliced’ is a requirement and ask the supplier which product type and cut they offer.
The canteen must be able to tell customers which allergens are present in the croissants on offer. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that businesses must inform customers about this; use the current information for each product you choose.
Not necessarily. The Jumbo plant-based croissant described contains wheat and gluten and may also contain milk. Check the allergen information for the exact variant.
Not necessarily. The Consenza gluten-free croissants described contain egg, milk and soya. Check the gluten-free claim and other allergens separately against the current label.
You can’t tell from the product category. If the type of salt matters to your canteen, check the ingredients list or ask the supplier for the specification of the product you’ve chosen.
