Only choose a sugar-free syrup waffle for the school holidays if the label states no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This is the EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim, set out in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 and published on EUR-Lex; ‘less sugar’ does not mean the same thing. If your main aim is to reduce sugar, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion, and check the sweeteners and allergens too.
If ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough, only the current sugar content per 100 g will give you a clear answer. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a syrup waffle must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
A syrup waffle with less sugar may suit what you’re looking for as a holiday treat, even if it isn’t sugar-free. Compare the sugar content and portion size; for example, bol lists 13 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Stroopwafels.
Sweeteners and allergens can affect your choice as well as sugar. Céréal’s product information lists isomalt, while PLUS lists egg and lupin in its gluten-free syrup waffles. So always read the label on the pack you’re buying.
First, decide whether sugar-free is a must. If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion before weighing up the ingredients and pack size.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Truly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a syrup waffle can only be called sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I only want a syrup waffle that meets the sugar-free requirement, a claim such as ‘less sugar’ isn’t enough. This strict requirement is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Less sugar and portion size | Compare the sugars per 100 g and check how many grams are in one portion. Bol lists 13 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Stroopwafels; PLUS lists 36.3 g per 100 g for its regular syrup waffles. | For a holiday treat, I want to be able to choose less sugar without expecting the syrup waffle to be sugar-free. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the label. Céréal’s product information lists isomalt; PLUS lists egg and lupin in its gluten-free syrup waffles. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what else is in the waffle besides sugar. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Holiday supplies | Compare the number of waffles and the pack weight, and check how the product is available. Lidl lists 12 Sondey Roomboter stroopwafels in a 480 g pack, available in store. | If I’m buying snacks for several days of the holidays, I want to choose a pack that suits the treats I have planned. This practical consideration takes priority for around 10% of consumers. |
A relative reduction doesn’t mean a syrup waffle meets the sugar-free threshold. Bol still lists 13 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Stroopwafels.
If you have a strict requirement, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the current pack. The EU threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim is no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Gluten-free describes a different product feature. PLUS lists 41.13 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free syrup waffles, compared with 36.3 g per 100 g for its regular syrup waffles.
If you’re choosing a gluten-free option, check the sugar content and other allergens separately. PLUS also lists egg and lupin in its gluten-free version.
A syrup waffle with less sugar may contain sweeteners. Céréal’s product information lists isomalt and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Before buying, also read the ingredients list, allergen information and warning text, especially if several children will be sharing the same pack.
A lower sugar content doesn’t automatically change the portion size or the rest of the nutritional values. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as suitable snacks for children aged 4 to 12.
Decide how many syrup waffles you want to offer as a treat, and check the nutrition information per portion. Consider other snack times separately from the sugar claim on the waffle.
Céréal Stroopwafels are offered as a lower-sugar option, not as a sugar-free syrup waffle.
Albert Heijn sells a product called AH Roomboter minder suiker stroopwafels.
Daelmans describes its traditional syrup waffles as made with caramel, cinnamon and Bourbon vanilla.
Jumbo lists regular syrup waffles, mini syrup waffles and a separate product called Lekker Vrij van Gluten Stroop Wafels.
Lidl lists Sondey Roomboter stroopwafels as a regular in-store option.
ALDI lists products including Biscotto Mini stroopwafels.
PLUS lists nutrition values for both regular and gluten-free syrup waffles.
No, ‘less sugar’ doesn’t mean a syrup waffle is sugar-free. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used if the product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g; for example, bol lists 13 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Stroopwafels.
Check which sweetener is used and what warnings appear on the pack. Céréal Stroopwafels’ product information lists isomalt and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Also check the sugar content and portion size; a sweetener doesn’t make a syrup waffle sugar-free.
Not necessarily: gluten-free says nothing about the amount of sugar. PLUS lists 41.13 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free syrup waffles and names egg and lupin as allergens. So check the sugar content and allergens separately on the pack.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought. PLUS recommends storing its regular syrup waffles in a cool, dry, dark place; also check the label for instructions on storing an opened pack.
