If you have coeliac disease and are travelling by train, take a syrup waffle with an explicit gluten-free label; a regular syrup waffle is not an equivalent alternative. A sealed portion is handy for a single snack, while a 240 g bag may suit you if you want to share. In either case, check the latest allergen information and keep the waffles separate from crumbs containing gluten.
You’re looking for a syrup waffle to take with you that has an explicit gluten-free label and packaging that can stay sealed until you’re ready to eat. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that crumbs containing gluten can also pose a risk through cross-contamination.
For a single snack, you may prefer a compact, sealed portion to a large, opened bag in your bag. So look not only at the quantity, but also at how the waffles are packaged.
Alongside the gluten-free label, compare other product details and allergens. A gluten-free syrup waffle may still contain egg or lupin, for example.
First, check the gluten-free label on the product you’re taking with you. Then choose packaging that suits the number of times you plan to eat it, and check any additional allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free option | Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging. Keep the waffles sealed until you’re ready to eat them and away from crumbs containing gluten. | With coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to rely on a regular syrup waffle or a shared eating surface when I’m travelling; this choice is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Portion and packaging | Compare the quantity and whether the waffles come individually wrapped or in a larger bag. Consider whether you can reseal an opened bag securely. | I don’t want to carry a large, opened bag for a single snack on the train. Portion convenience matters most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging, including for organic or lactose-free varieties. | If I need to avoid egg or lupin as well as gluten, the allergen list also affects my choice; these additional requirements are a top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
The fact that a product is called a syrup waffle says nothing about whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. In the EU, the term ‘gluten-free’ has a defined meaning.
Check that the syrup waffles you buy are explicitly labelled gluten-free on the packaging.
According to their product information, the gluten-free syrup waffles described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS also contain egg and lupin. Jumbo also mentions that they may contain nuts and sesame.
If you have additional allergies, always check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging.
An open pack is inconvenient for a single snack and makes it easier for the waffles to come into contact with crumbs from other food. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of preventing cross-contamination with gluten.
Take a sealed portion with you, or reseal a larger bag securely after use and keep it separate from food containing gluten.
The range and product information may change between the time you compare products and your train journey.
Before you set off, check that you can buy the syrup waffles you want and read the packaging of the product you’re actually taking with you.
Jumbo describes its gluten-free Stroop Wafels as a 240 g pack and displays the Crossed Grain symbol on the product page.
Albert Heijn describes its 240 g organic syrup waffles as gluten-free and lactose-free.
PLUS describes its 240 g syrup waffles as gluten-free and made for people with gluten intolerance.
Lidl has a range page for extra gluten-free products. Check each syrup waffle individually for a label on the packaging.
The ALDI syrup waffles described are regular syrup waffles; the product description does not state that they are gluten-free.
In the Netherlands, the EU rule is that the term ‘gluten-free’ may only be used if the food sold to the final consumer contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten, under EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014. If you have coeliac disease, choose a syrup waffle with that explicit label rather than relying on a brief ingredient description.
No, not necessarily: according to their product information, the gluten-free syrup waffles described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS contain egg and lupin. Jumbo also says they may contain nuts and sesame. If you have additional allergies, check the packaging of the product you’re buying.
If you have coeliac disease, take a sealed pack that is clearly labelled gluten-free and keep the waffles separate from food containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that cross-contamination with gluten can also happen through crumbs.
Use the shop page to compare products, but check the packaging itself before you buy. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product and allergen information can change.
