Who is this choice important for?

A guest with coeliac disease

They’re looking for a syrup waffle that is explicitly labelled gluten-free and will check the current label before eating it. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends checking the label carefully every time.

A host serving a mixed drinks platter

They want to serve a clearly identifiable gluten-free sweet option and keep the packaging handy so guests can check the other allergens too.

A shopper with additional product requirements

As well as checking for a gluten-free label, they might look for organic or lactose-free options, or need to check the allergen information because of another allergy.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you’re buying syrup waffles for someone with coeliac disease, first check the current gluten-free label. Then consider any other allergens, the packaging and any additional product features that matter for your drinks party.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free label Read the current gluten-free label on the packaging and check for a Crossed Grain symbol. If I want to eat a syrup waffle at a drinks party and have coeliac disease, I want to see the gluten-free label on the packaging for myself. For around 36% of shoppers, this reassurance comes first.
Other allergens Check the allergen list and any warnings, and keep the packaging by the serving plate. Guests with different allergies are sharing my drinks platter, so I don’t want to overlook egg or lupin. Around 29% of shoppers give checking for these allergens top priority.
Availability Check whether the gluten-free option you want is available and whether the pack size suits your drinks party. I want to be able to finish my drinks-party shopping and know how many syrup waffles I’m buying. Availability matters most to around 21% of shoppers.
Additional product requirements Check whether the option you’ve chosen is labelled organic or lactose-free; also read the allergen list. As well as gluten-free, I’m looking for organic or lactose-free options, without confusing those labels with being allergen-free. Around 14% of shoppers prioritise additional requirements like these.

What mistakes can you avoid?

  • Relying on the word ‘waffle’ or where it sits on the shelf

    The product category and shelf position don’t tell you whether a syrup waffle is gluten-free. If you’re buying for a guest with coeliac disease, you shouldn’t base your choice on that assumption.

    Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and allergen information too. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends checking the label every time.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from other allergens

    The syrup waffles described from AH, Jumbo and PLUS contain egg and lupin. Jumbo also states that they may contain nuts and sesame.

    Check the relevant allergens on the packaging you’ve chosen for each guest, and keep it with the gluten-free syrup waffles.

  • Relying on packaging you’ve seen before

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. Information you remember from a previous purchase may not match the packaging on the table.

    Read the label on the pack you’re actually using just before buying and serving it.

  • Assuming regular syrup waffles are a suitable alternative

    A regular syrup waffle without an explicit gluten-free label isn’t a suitable substitute when you’re shopping for someone with coeliac disease.

    For that guest, only choose syrup waffles with a current gluten-free label, and keep regular and gluten-free options clearly separate when serving.

Brands to consider

These product ranges show the features you can compare on the packaging. Whenever you buy one, check that the listed features still apply to the option you’ve chosen.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels in a 240 g pack, with a gluten-free label and the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Worth considering if the stated symbol is an important factor in your choice.
  • The syrup waffles contain egg and lupin; according to the product information, they may also contain nuts and sesame.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn also lists its 240 g organic gluten-free syrup waffles as lactose-free and vegetarian.

  • The combination of gluten-free, organic and lactose-free is useful if all these features are on your shopping list.
  • This option contains egg and lupin. Albert Heijn notes that product and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.

PLUS

PLUS describes its gluten-free syrup waffles as a 240 g pack made with rice flour.

  • A supermarket own-brand option to consider if you’re doing your drinks-party shopping at PLUS.
  • The syrup waffles contain egg and lupin. Check the current packaging, as product information may change.

Daelmans

Daelmans describes its 240 g gluten-free option, containing eight syrup waffles, as organic and lactose-free too.

  • A pack of eight may be useful if you want to work out how many syrup waffles you’ll need for your drinks party in advance.
  • Before buying, check the current ingredients and allergen information for this specific option.

Joybuy products for your drinks party

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I serve regular syrup waffles to someone with coeliac disease?

Don’t serve regular syrup waffles without an explicit gluten-free label to that guest. Read the current packaging for the option you want to serve; the Dutch Coeliac Society says checking the label is important when deciding whether a product is suitable.

Does a gluten-free syrup waffle need to have the Crossed Grain symbol?

No, the symbol isn’t the only label you can look for. The Dutch Coeliac Society prefers it, but says another gluten-free logo or an explicit gluten-free label can be used as an alternative if the symbol isn’t available. Always check the packaging of the option you’ve chosen.

Are gluten-free syrup waffles suitable for guests with other allergies too?

Not automatically: the options described from AH, Jumbo and PLUS contain egg and lupin, while Jumbo’s may also contain nuts and sesame. Check the allergen information on the current packaging for each guest.

How can I make gluten-free syrup waffles easy to identify on a drinks platter?

Serve the gluten-free option separately from regular syrup waffles, where it’s easy to identify, and keep the packaging by the plate. That way, guests can check the gluten-free label and other allergens for themselves.