Who is this relevant to?

Parents of toddlers with coeliac disease

A clear gluten-free claim is essential. The stroopwafel must also stay gluten-free when it is stored and handed out, for example at nursery.

Parents who want to keep treats small

A stroopwafel can be an occasional treat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends biscuits for young children weekly rather than daily; the amount you give matters too.

Families checking for other allergens

Ingredients other than gluten may also affect your choice. If your child has another allergy, check the current ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the current gluten-free claim, then consider the amount for the treat and any other relevant allergens. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food sold in the EU may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free claim Read the current packaging and agree with the nursery how the snack will be stored and handed out to keep it gluten-free. If my toddler has coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the ingredients list alone: the stroopwafel must be explicitly labelled gluten-free. This check is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Portion and frequency Compare the nutrition information per 100 g with the amount you plan to give, and decide on the portion in advance. I want to keep treat time small without making stroopwafels a daily snack. Around 33% of consumers give portion size and frequency top priority.
Other allergens Check the current ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for any allergens that are relevant to your child. If my child needs to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, the packaging will tell me whether this stroopwafel is suitable. This additional allergen check is the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘suitable every day’

    A gluten-free claim says nothing about where a biscuit fits into your child’s daily diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends biscuits for young children once a week rather than every day.

    Save the stroopwafel for an occasional treat and choose something that suits your child’s nutritional needs and gluten-free diet for everyday snacks.

  • Assuming the stated portion is right for a toddler

    Albert Heijn lists a 30 g portion for AH Glutenvrij Biologisch stroopwafels. At 481 kcal per 100 g, that stated portion contains around 144 kcal.

    Think about how much you actually want to give; the portion shown on the packaging isn’t automatically the right amount for a toddler.

  • Checking for gluten only

    Product information for the gluten-free stroopwafels listed by Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn also mentions egg and lupin.

    Check the current allergen information every time you buy, including ‘may contain’ statements if other allergens matter for your child.

  • Relying on an old packet

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. A previous purchase or product photo is no substitute for checking the label on the packet you receive.

    Check the packaging again before giving your child a stroopwafel, even if you already know the brand.

Brands compared

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Biologisch stroopwafels in a 240 g pack and describes the product as gluten-free, organic and lactose-free.

  • The stated portion is 30 g, which lets you compare the nutrition information with the amount you plan to give.
  • The product information lists egg and lupin. At 481 kcal per 100 g, the stated 30 g portion contains around 144 kcal.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists a 240 g pack of gluten-free stroopwafels in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten range.

  • The product information states both ‘gluten-free’ and the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • Jumbo lists egg and lupin as allergens present, and possible traces of nuts and sesame. Check the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS lists 240 g own-brand packs of gluten-free stroopwafels.

  • The product information explicitly describes the stroopwafels as gluten-free.
  • PLUS lists egg and lupin. Check the current packaging for ingredients and nutrition information.

Products related to this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a stroopwafel be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used in the EU when the food, as sold, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If your toddler has coeliac disease, check the current claim on the packaging.

Is a gluten-free stroopwafel a daily snack for a toddler?

Not as a regular daily treat: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends biscuits for young children once a week rather than every day. The ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t change how often or how much you should give.

Can I use the portion shown on the packaging?

A stated product portion isn’t automatically the right portion for a toddler. Albert Heijn lists 30 g per portion for AH Glutenvrij Biologisch stroopwafels; compare this with the amount you plan to give as a treat.

Which allergens should I check as well as gluten?

Check the current packaging for any allergens that are relevant to your child. The gluten-free stroopwafels listed by Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn mention egg and lupin; possible traces vary by product.

What should I agree with the nursery if my toddler is given a stroopwafel there?

Agree in advance which gluten-free snack your child can have and how it will be stored and handed out. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses in its guidance for nurseries and schools that food must remain gluten-free during preparation and serving too.