Who are these choices relevant to?

Buying a snack for someone with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a caramel waffle that’s explicitly labelled gluten-free, rather than relying on the usual product name or a recipe suggestion. Some packs also carry the Crossed Grain symbol.

Checking for other allergens

Egg, lupin, milk, nuts, soya or sesame may also be relevant to the person eating them. So check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the variant you choose.

Families taking snacks on an outing

If you’re planning several snack breaks, the pack size, number of waffles and storage instructions matter too. Check these details on the pack before planning your supplies for the autumn half-term.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free claim on the current packaging. Then check for any other relevant allergens, and choose a quantity to suit your holiday plans.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free claim Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current pack. A Crossed Grain symbol, if present, is an additional point of reference, not a substitute for checking other allergens. If I’m taking caramel waffles for someone with coeliac disease, I want to see the gluten-free claim on the pack. For around 50% of consumers, this check comes first.
Other allergens Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for this exact variant. Don’t assume a product is ‘lactose-free’ just because it’s ‘gluten-free’. If egg, lupin or another allergen also needs to be avoided, I don’t want to rely on the gluten-free claim alone. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this extra check.
Packaging and storage Compare the number of waffles, pack size and best-before date. Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. For an outing or several snack breaks, I want to know how many waffles I can take and how to store them. This planning matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a regular caramel waffle for a gluten-free one

    The product name ‘caramel waffle’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether it’s gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that products must meet certain requirements to be labelled ‘gluten-free’.

    Look for this claim on the current pack and check the ingredients and allergens again, even if you’ve bought the product before.

  • Checking for gluten only

    Product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij, AH Glutenvrij Biologisch and PLUS lists egg and lupin. Daelmans also states that the product is made in an environment where soya, milk, nuts and sesame are handled.

    Choose according to all the allergens relevant to the person eating them, and check the information on the specific pack.

  • Relying on an old product listing when planning your holiday

    A variant or pack you looked at previously may not be the same as the product currently available to order or in store.

    Just before you set off, check the current variant, its availability and the gluten-free claim on the pack you’re actually buying.

Brands to consider

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists a 240 g gluten-free caramel waffle in its Lekker Vrij own-brand range.

  • Jumbo says this variant carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • The product information lists egg and lupin, and says it may contain nuts and sesame.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists a 240 g organic caramel waffle described as gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • This organic variant combines these three explicitly stated product attributes.
  • The product information also lists egg and lupin. Check the current pack if these allergens are relevant.

PLUS

PLUS lists a gluten-free own-brand caramel waffle in a 240 g bag.

  • The gluten-free claim applies to this specific caramel waffle variant.
  • The product information lists egg and lupin. Check the pack for the variant you choose before buying.

Daelmans

Daelmans offers gluten-free caramel waffles in a pack containing eight bags, which may suit those planning several snack breaks.

  • The product listing clearly states the number of bags and waffles in each bag.
  • Daelmans says the product is made in an environment where soya, milk, nuts and sesame are also handled.

Markus & Markus

This caramel waffle bakery offers a gluten-free variant and lists eight waffles per pack.

  • Markus & Markus describes its waffle bakery as completely gluten-free.
  • Check the allergen information and details on the current pack before buying.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify a gluten-free caramel waffle for someone with coeliac disease?

Check that the current pack explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says products must meet certain requirements to use this label. A regular caramel waffle without this claim is not a verified alternative.

Are gluten-free caramel waffles also free from egg, lupin or lactose?

Not necessarily: ‘gluten-free’ says nothing about these other attributes. Product information for Jumbo Lekker Vrij, AH Glutenvrij Biologisch and PLUS lists egg and lupin; Albert Heijn also describes its organic variant as lactose-free. Read the allergen information on the pack you buy.

Can I simply choose a caramel waffle at Lidl or ALDI for someone with coeliac disease?

No. Don’t make assumptions based on the shop or product category at either retailer. Only choose a specific caramel waffle if the current pack explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ and the other allergen information is suitable for the person eating it.