Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who check allergens carefully

You’re buying for someone with a known allergy or coeliac disease, and want to check the ingredients, ‘may contain’ statements and any additional ingredients needed before use.

Dessert-makers who want to choose their own ingredients

You want to serve celebratory pancakes, but would rather start with a mix suited to the allergy and check the toppings separately than rely on a dessert mix.

Shoppers looking for convenience

You want to add as few ingredients as possible, without assuming that a complete mix is therefore allergen-free. The PLUS Complete mix reviewed requires only water, but contains wheat, milk and egg.

What should you look for when choosing?

First check that the mix is suitable for the allergy in question. Only then compare how it’s prepared and how you could turn it into a dessert.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters most to
The allergy in question or coeliac disease Read the ingredients, allergen information and ‘may contain’ statements on the current pack; don’t assume that a gluten-free label tells you anything about other allergens. If an allergen is my first screening criterion, I want to know whether both the ingredients and possible traces fit my dietary requirements. Around 39% of shoppers prioritise this check.
Preparation and toppings Check what the recipe calls for, and check milk, eggs, cooking fat and your chosen toppings separately. For a celebratory dessert, I want to choose for myself what goes into the batter and on the pancakes. Around 31% of shoppers put control over the preparation first.
Dessert-style options Compare the full label of a dessert mix with that of a suitable plain mix and toppings you’ve checked separately. I’m mainly looking for a celebratory flavour or presentation, as long as all the ingredients are suitable for the allergy. Around 15% of shoppers prioritise this dessert choice.
Convenience Check which ingredients you still need to add, as well as which allergens are already in the mix. If I want to keep preparation to a minimum, a mix that only needs water appeals to me; I still need to check the ingredients. This simple preparation is the top priority for around 15% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    A gluten-free mix can contain other allergens. According to Albert Heijn, the Consenza mix reviewed contains milk, egg and lupin, and may contain traces of soya, nuts and sesame.

    Compare all the ingredients and warnings on the pack with the allergens you need to avoid.

  • Checking only the dry mix

    Milk and eggs in the recipe, or a topping containing a relevant allergen, could make the finished pancakes unsuitable, even if the dry mix is suitable.

    Read the preparation instructions before buying and check every ingredient you plan to add.

  • Relying on product information you read earlier

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. That’s why Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging.

    Check the label on the pack you actually have every time you buy it and before use.

  • Choosing a dessert mix based on appearance alone

    According to Albert Heijn, the Atelier Roger mix reviewed contains wheat and milk. According to Jumbo, the Dr. Oetker Kaiserschmarrn mix reviewed contains wheat, milk and barley, and may contain soya.

    Compare the label of the speciality mix with a suitable plain mix, and check your chosen toppings separately.

Brands and shops to consider

Koopmans

Koopmans offers both an Original and a gluten-free pancake mix; their allergen information differs.

  • Koopmans says its Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij meets the AOECS standard for coeliac disease. Check the label and preparation instructions too.
  • The gluten-free mix reviewed may contain egg and milk, and requires milk and eggs during preparation. According to the product information at Albert Heijn, Koopmans Origineel contains wheat and rye.

Albert Heijn

The product pages reviewed show both a gluten-free mix and a dessert-style mix, with different allergens.

  • The Consenza mix reviewed is labelled gluten-free and wheat-free; the Atelier Roger mix reviewed is a dessert-style option.
  • According to Albert Heijn, Consenza contains milk, egg and lupin, and may contain traces of soya, nuts and sesame. Atelier Roger contains wheat and milk. Always check the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information about the Dr. Oetker Kaiserschmarrn mix reviewed, as well as general information about allergens.

  • The product information makes it clear that Kaiserschmarrn is a mix for dessert-style pieces of pancake.
  • According to Jumbo, this mix contains wheat, milk and barley, and may contain soya. Jumbo says cross-contamination cannot be ruled out for products packed in-store.

PLUS

The PLUS product information reviewed includes a gluten-free Koopmans mix and a Complete mix that only needs water added.

  • The ingredients and possible traces of egg and milk are listed for the Koopmans Glutenvrij product.
  • According to PLUS, PLUS Complete contains wheat, milk and egg, and may contain rye, barley and oats. ‘Complete’ therefore says nothing about whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is gluten-free pancake mix also suitable for other food allergies?

Not automatically: check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging for other allergens. According to the product information, Koopmans Pannenkoeken Glutenvrij may contain egg and milk; according to Albert Heijn, the Consenza mix reviewed contains milk, egg and lupin.

Can I rely on a retailer’s online allergen information?

Use online product information to compare products, but check the packaging you’ve bought before use. Ingredients and allergen information can change, which is why Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging.

What should I check when choosing toppings for a celebratory pancake dessert?

Check each topping and all the other recipe ingredients separately for the allergens you need to avoid. Milk, eggs or cooking fat added during preparation are also part of the finished pancakes.

Is a complete pancake mix that only needs water suitable if you’re allergic to milk or eggs?

The preparation instructions don’t tell you that: the PLUS Complete mix reviewed only needs water, but according to PLUS it contains milk and egg. Read both the ingredients list and the preparation instructions.

How can I identify allergens on the label of a prepacked mix?

Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label; also check for any ‘may contain’ statements in relation to the allergy you need to consider.