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Trader Joe's Banana Waffles

wschmucks

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wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted

Hey guys!

I was so excited to find gluten free banana waffles at trader joes. I got up this morning ready to make them and did my standard glance at the back-- just to be safe, and WHAM! "processed on the SAME equipment as eggs, soy, and WHEAT". How are they allowed to lable it "Gluten Free" on the front when there is no way it does not have cross contamination when its made ON the same equipment? It had no information on glunten testing or anything. I am taking them back next weekend and am writing a letter of complaint. Glad I checked the back.

Has anyone had these waffles?

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sbj Rookie
sbj
Posted

I haven't had the banana waffles but I tried Trader Joe's other gluten-free waffles (buttermilk?) and they were terrible! I've also tried Vans gluten-free waffles and didn't think much of them, either. I am finding it easiest and best to simply make my own pancakes and syrup at home.

Regarding the "processed on the SAME equipment as eggs, soy, and WHEAT" warning; you are going to run into that a whole heckuva lot. I believe that the gluten-free label only requires that a product test at less than 20 ppm for gluten. In fact, I'm not even sure that there is a standard. Some folks have to avoid any foods processed on such equipment - I hope that I am not one of them!

You should also be aware that virtually ALL supposedly gluten free products - whether processed in a dedicated facility or not - do indeed contain some amount of gluten. Gluten is simply unavoidable. If you'll check out this link from the FDA (Open Original Shared Link) you'll see in Table III that even gluten-free products such as gluten-free flours contain gluten.

626Belle Newbie
626Belle
Posted

I've had these waffles and they tasted pretty good (as gluten-free waffles go) but they are really holey. Syrup drips straight through them, which makes it hard to eat them my usual way of just picking the waffle up whole and taking bites. The banana flavor isn't very pronounced, so to solve that problem and the dripping problem, I would heat them in the microwave and top them with honey.

As far as cross-contamination goes, I didn't have any noted reactions to these. Other people's guts are more sensitive than mine, though, so be careful if you do decide to eat these.

I prefer Van's waffles for sure for flavor and texture.

Silly Yak Pete Rookie
Silly Yak Pete
Posted

I love the banana waffles and find them to taste alot better then Vans. I believe they thoroughly clean the machines to prevent contanimation. I never had a reaction to them.

wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted
  • Author

Has anyone reacted poorly to them? I have eaten buckwheat and other gluten free waffles and really enjoyed them. I am not very sensetive, but regarless of my outward symptoms arent we supose to avoid Gluten at all costs, even if we dont feel it hurting us?? I mean it's a waffle-- I don't need to harm my health (even if i dont feel it) for a waffle.

If anyone could tell me if they've reacted poorly to them that would be helpful.

Thanks!

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Another important thing about those notices regarding shared facilities and equipment is that the are voluntary. There is no requirement in either Canada or the US that such labeling be present.

You can not assume that just because you don't see one of those cautions that it means the facility and/or equipment are not shared with gluten products.

The last I knew, the FDA definition of "gluten free" was still being discussed and had not been finalized. In Canada, there has been a strict rule for years, but it only applies to ingredients intentionally present in the food--cross-contamination risk is not mentioned.

stolly Collaborator
stolly
Posted

Trader Joe's website has a statement that their suppliers follow Good Manufacturing Practices to segregate ingredients on shared equpiment. We like TJ's plain/gluten-free and banana/gluten-free waffles...DD eats them without problems. I think Van's are dry and crumbly.

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wschmucks Contributor
wschmucks
Posted
  • Author

That makes me nervouse though. Remeber that Whole Foods article that revealed that thier lables stating "good manufacturing processes..." were completely false and several people had serious reactions to their products. You have absolutley no garentee that they arent manufacturing their items exactly the same as any other non-gluten-free company. It just makes it more confusing! And all i wanted was a waffle!

purple Community Regular
purple
Posted
Hey guys!

I was so excited to find gluten free banana waffles at trader joes. I got up this morning ready to make them and did my standard glance at the back-- just to be safe, and WHAM! "processed on the SAME equipment as eggs, soy, and WHEAT". How are they allowed to lable it "Gluten Free" on the front when there is no way it does not have cross contamination when its made ON the same equipment? It had no information on glunten testing or anything. I am taking them back next weekend and am writing a letter of complaint. Glad I checked the back.

Has anyone had these waffles?

Here is a great recipe for Banana Nut Waffles:

Open Original Shared Link

I use 1 1/2 cups almond milk and finely chopped almonds. I keep a banana in the freezer, thaw and mash it. Good with berries added too.

  • 2 weeks later...
Happy Holly Apprentice
Happy Holly
Posted

The absolutely best pancakes ever are "Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix."

I think there is also a recipe on the back for waffles, but these pancakes are the best ever. Texture and taste are all perfect. You'd never know they were wheat and gluten free, and they're not difficult to make at all. ;)

I haven't had the banana waffles but I tried Trader Joe's other gluten-free waffles (buttermilk?) and they were terrible! I've also tried Vans gluten-free waffles and didn't think much of them, either. I am finding it easiest and best to simply make my own pancakes and syrup at home.

Regarding the "processed on the SAME equipment as eggs, soy, and WHEAT" warning; you are going to run into that a whole heckuva lot. I believe that the gluten-free label only requires that a product test at less than 20 ppm for gluten. In fact, I'm not even sure that there is a standard. Some folks have to avoid any foods processed on such equipment - I hope that I am not one of them!

You should also be aware that virtually ALL supposedly gluten free products - whether processed in a dedicated facility or not - do indeed contain some amount of gluten. Gluten is simply unavoidable. If you'll check out this link from the FDA (Open Original Shared Link) you'll see in Table III that even gluten-free products such as gluten-free flours contain gluten.

sbj Rookie
sbj
Posted
The absolutely best pancakes ever are "Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix."

I think there is also a recipe on the back for waffles, but these pancakes are the best ever. Texture and taste are all perfect. You'd never know they were wheat and gluten free, and they're not difficult to make at all. ;)

Thanks Holly. I'll try this mix someday - as soon as I see it on sale for a decent price at Sprouts! I am finding it difficult to spend on these mixes - especially when I am going to douse my pancakes with homemade pineapple syrup.

I can make some pancakes that are pretty good and I think my ingredients almost match up with Pamela's: brown rice flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca starch, baking powder, baking soda, etc. I don't use almond flour and haven't yet bitten the bullet to buy xanthan gum. I like to use white corn meal and a small amount of oatmeal, cinnamon, and vanilla, too. I notice that a few mixes and recipes call for buttermilk - I wonder if that adds some 'wheat' flavor? I know it would add richness - and fat! - but one thing I miss about cooking without flour is the 'taste' of wheat flour, you know what I mean? Sort of like how the 'fake' pastas all taste pretty good - but none are quite the same as a good old semolina-based pasta?

I wonder if there is some simple additive that we can use to add the taste of wheat flour? You know, like almond extract but for wheat?

Is there such a thing as wheat extract?

  • 1 month later...
majicbunnies Contributor
majicbunnies
Posted
Hey guys!

I was so excited to find gluten free banana waffles at trader joes. I got up this morning ready to make them and did my standard glance at the back-- just to be safe, and WHAM! "processed on the SAME equipment as eggs, soy, and WHEAT". How are they allowed to lable it "Gluten Free" on the front when there is no way it does not have cross contamination when its made ON the same equipment? It had no information on glunten testing or anything. I am taking them back next weekend and am writing a letter of complaint. Glad I checked the back.

Has anyone had these waffles?

Hey, I don't know if some one has mentioned this or not, but TJ's doesn't label gluten free. Their 'gluten free' label only states that there are no gluten INGREDIENTS.

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted

I love love love love love TJ's banana waffles! I put peanut butter on them. YUM. I choose to believe that their manufacturer follows protocol and cleans thoroughly in between batches. Hopefully, they actually do.

  • 5 months later...
dishyb Newbie
dishyb
Posted

I've been having the JT's Banana Waffles for my toast in the morning and just found out they've discontinued the product. Does anyone know if they are carried elsewhere.

Thanks!

captaincrab55 Collaborator
captaincrab55
Posted
Hey, I don't know if some one has mentioned this or not, but TJ's doesn't label gluten free. Their 'gluten free' label only states that there are no gluten INGREDIENTS.
WOW!!!!! TJ's charges more for the "gluten free" products, but then want to remove the liability of cc... Just makes one wonder if their Organic Labels can be fully trusted????..
Mskedi Newbie
Mskedi
Posted
I've been having the JT's Banana Waffles for my toast in the morning and just found out they've discontinued the product. Does anyone know if they are carried elsewhere.

Thanks!

Oh no! They were my favorite even before going gluten-free. Last time I was there, I noticed they were out (so I got their plain gluten-free waffles which are unfortunately nasty), but I was hoping they were going to reorder them. :( I'll write to them, but I doubt that'll do much good.

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