If you’re choosing for someone with coeliac disease, pick a syrup waffle whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Also check the allergen information for the exact product, and keep the waffles separate from gluten-containing crumbs when filling the advent calendar. A certification mark or individually portioned packaging may be useful, but neither replaces these checks.
An ordinary syrup waffle isn’t automatically suitable. Look for an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging. If you also want to check for the Crossed Grain mark, make sure it appears on the product you’ve chosen.
When dividing the waffles between calendar days, choosing the right product isn’t the only thing that matters. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that gluten crumbs can also get onto gluten-free food via work surfaces or kitchen utensils.
Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from egg, lupin or other allergens. If it’s a gift, read the allergen information on the exact pack and ask the recipient which ingredients or warnings are relevant to them.
Start with the gluten-free statement and allergen information for the exact product. Then consider whether you can divide the waffles between calendar days without them coming into contact with gluten-containing products.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free statement | Check that ‘gluten-free’ appears on the current packaging for the correct product. If you wish, also check whether the Crossed Grain mark is shown. | If I’m choosing syrup waffles for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the ingredients list alone. For around 42% of consumers, this gluten-free check comes first. |
| Dividing and storing | Check the portion sizes and, when dividing the waffles, use a clean work surface and utensils, and keep the packs sealed separately. | I want to fill the calendar in advance without the syrup waffles coming into contact with ordinary biscuits or crumbs. Around 25% of consumers give top priority to keeping them separate. |
| Other allergens | Read the allergen information for the flavour and pack you’ve chosen, even if it says ‘gluten-free’. | If the recipient also needs to avoid other allergens, I need to know what’s in these specific waffles. This is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check that the exact product is available before planning the calendar around it. | I don’t want to rely on an old product listing when I’m filling every day of the calendar. For around 16% of consumers, current availability matters most. |
The gluten-free own-brand syrup waffles reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list egg and lupin. Some varieties also carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack and, if it’s a gift, ask which allergens the recipient needs to avoid.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs and shared kitchen utensils can contaminate gluten-free food.
Use clean hands, a clean work surface and clean utensils. Once divided, wrap the syrup waffles separately and keep them away from gluten-containing products.
Albert Heijn marked the Leev product reviewed as discontinued; the Jumbo page reviewed said the same about the Consenza salted caramel variety.
Check that the exact product is available before filling the calendar. If you choose a different syrup waffle, check its label again.
These terms describe different characteristics. For example, the organic, lactose-free AH and Leev syrup waffles reviewed still list egg and lupin.
First check the packaging for a gluten-free statement and allergen information. Only then use other product features to help you choose.
Jumbo labels its 240 g syrup waffles as gluten-free and displays the Crossed Grain mark.
Albert Heijn describes its 240 g organic syrup waffles as gluten-free and lactose-free, and lists eight 30 g portions.
PLUS lists a gluten-free own-brand syrup waffle in a 240 g bag.
Albert Heijn described the Leev syrup waffle reviewed as an organic, gluten-free and lactose-free pack of two.
Jumbo described a gluten-free Consenza syrup waffle with salted caramel.
Don’t rely on the ingredients list alone: choose a syrup waffle with an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society says that the ‘gluten-free’ label applies to products containing less than 20 mg of gluten per kg.
Divide them using clean hands and utensils on a clean work surface, then seal each portion separately. Keep them away from ordinary biscuits and gluten-containing crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that cross-contamination can happen via items such as chopping boards and knives.
No. The gluten-free own-brand syrup waffles reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list egg and lupin. For every variety you choose, also check the packaging for any warnings about other allergens.
Use the website to help choose a product, but read the label on the pack you actually buy before using it. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that ingredient and allergen information can change.
