Who is this choice relevant to?

Pupils taking in a treat for Sinterklaas

They’re looking for a small snack to go with their usual lunch and want to know how much to take and how to pack it.

Parents checking allergens

They want to read the label on the chosen product before packing it and check the rules at school or in the classroom. Chocolate-coated taaitaai isn’t automatically suitable for everyone.

Families keeping their usual lunch as the main meal

They’re looking for a little extra that won’t replace the lunch they’ve packed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis for a school lunch.

What should you look out for when choosing?

For chocolate-coated taaitaai, check the label and school rules first. Then decide what role the snack will play alongside lunch and how much you want to take.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Allergens and school rules Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen. If necessary, ask about the rules for bringing in or sharing food. If you need to take allergens or classroom rules into account, you’ll want to know whether the snack is allowed before thinking about flavour or convenience. Around 45% of consumers put this check first.
A little extra alongside lunch Choose a small portion and pack the usual lunch as well. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis for a school lunch. If you want to pack a festive treat without it replacing lunch, make the main lunch your priority. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Portion size and availability Divide the pack into the portions you want at home, and check that you’ve chosen the chocolate-coated version rather than plain taaitaai. If you want a snack that’s easy to take along, you’ll want to be able to pack a portion in advance and find the right seasonal variety. This is the first consideration for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all taaitaai contains the same allergens

    Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250 g contains ingredients with milk, soya, wheat and rye. Plain taaitaai from Albert Heijn and PLUS also lists allergens, but the information for one product doesn’t apply to another variety.

    Read the label on the exact pack you’re taking, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens.

  • Packing taaitaai instead of lunch

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis for a school lunch. A piece of taaitaai doesn’t replace that lunch.

    If you like, pack taaitaai as a small extra alongside the usual lunch.

  • Confusing plain taaitaai with the chocolate-coated variety

    A product page for plain taaitaai doesn’t confirm that the same product is also available with a chocolate coating. Albert Heijn, PLUS and ALDI show plain varieties; the chocolate-coated variety mentioned here is from Jumbo.

    Check the full product name and ingredients if the chocolate coating is the reason you’re choosing it.

Brands compared

Jumbo

Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250 g is a specific chocolate-coated variety.

  • The ingredients list milk chocolate, soya lecithin, wheat flour and rye flour.
  • Not suitable if you need to avoid milk, soya, wheat, rye or gluten; check the current label.

Albert Heijn

AH Taai taai is plain taaitaai for anyone who isn’t looking for a confirmed chocolate-coated variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists a serving size of 11 g for this variety and recommends storing it in a cool, dry place.
  • The allergen information lists milk, cereals containing gluten, rye and wheat, among other ingredients. Plain taaitaai isn’t automatically an alternative for people with allergies.

PLUS

PLUS Taai taai is a plain, non-chocolate-coated variety in its Sinterklaas range.

  • The product information lists details including the pack size and a Nutri-Score of D.
  • The allergen information lists cereals containing gluten and milk; the label also warrants checking for possible traces of ingredients such as egg and nuts.

ALDI

ALDI offers plain, figure-shaped taai-taai in a 500 g pack as part of its Sinterklaas range.

  • An option to compare if you don’t need a chocolate coating.
  • Before buying, check the pack of your chosen variety for its ingredients and allergens.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can chocolate-coated taaitaai replace a school lunch?

No. At most, pack taaitaai as a small extra alongside the usual lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes foods from the Wheel of Five, including wholegrain products, vegetables and fruit, as the basis for a school lunch.

Which allergens are relevant to Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250 g?

The ingredients list milk, soya lecithin, wheat flour and rye flour, among other ingredients. Check the label on the pack you’ve bought, including any warnings about possible traces of other allergens.

How should I store taaitaai until lunchtime?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack of the variety you’re taking, and keep the snack wrapped. Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend storing their plain taaitaai in a cool, dry place; don’t automatically apply those instructions to a chocolate-coated variety.