If you’re looking for Fairtrade taaitaai or taaitaai with Fairtrade chocolate as a Sinterklaas gift, check the claim on the packaging of the specific product before choosing. Plain taaitaai and chocolate taaitaai are not the same, and a shop’s Fairtrade policy doesn’t prove anything about an individual product. Also check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
You want a Sinterklaas gift with a Fairtrade claim that you can check on the product itself. According to Fairtrade Nederland, the claim should appear on the packaging alongside the mark; if the logo has an arrow, read the explanation on the back too.
You’re looking for taaitaai that actually contains chocolate. The ingredients listed for the plain taaitaai products from Albert Heijn and PLUS do not include cocoa, whereas the product name Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade indicates a chocolate version. Check the ingredients and Fairtrade claim for that version separately.
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging before using the product. The taaitaai products from Albert Heijn and PLUS mentioned here contain rye, wheat and milk protein. Check the latest packaging for the product you buy, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
First decide whether you want plain taaitaai or a chocolate version. Then check the Fairtrade claim and ingredients on the packaging of that specific product.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the mark and the accompanying claim on the packaging. If the logo has an arrow, read the explanation on the back. | I only want to choose a gift if the Fairtrade claim is on the product itself; this assurance is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Chocolate content | Check the product name and ingredients for chocolate or cocoa; assess its Fairtrade claim separately. | If I want to give chocolate taaitaai, plain aniseed biscuits aren’t what I’m looking for. For around 27% of consumers, this type of product is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, along with any warnings about cross-contamination. | I need to be able to check that the ingredients are suitable for the person the product is intended for; this check matters most to around 27% of consumers. |
PLUS describes its own-brand cocoa as Fairtrade, but that statement doesn’t confirm that an individual pack of taaitaai is certified.
For this gift, check the mark and accompanying claim on the product you’re actually choosing.
The listed ingredients for the plain taaitaai from Albert Heijn and PLUS do not include cocoa. A product name that mentions milk chocolate indicates a different version, but doesn’t in itself say anything about Fairtrade.
First check which type of product you’re buying, then read the ingredients and any Fairtrade information on the packaging.
The taaitaai products mentioned here contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten and milk protein. Ingredients and warnings can vary between products or change over time.
Read the latest packaging before using the product, even if you’ve already checked an online product description.
These product examples help you distinguish plain taaitaai from a chocolate version. The brand name alone doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status for a specific pack.
Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai, 350 g, as a traditional shaped biscuit.
PLUS lists artisan taai-taai biscuits containing ingredients including wheat, rye and aniseed.
Jumbo lists a product called Taai Taai Melkchocolade, 250 g, which may be relevant if you’re looking for a chocolate version.
ALDI describes its 500 g taai-taai as aniseed biscuits in shaped forms.
Check for the relevant FAIRTRADE Mark and accompanying claim on the packaging of the specific product. According to Fairtrade Nederland, the claim goes with the mark; if you see a logo with an arrow, read the explanation on the back too.
No, the logo doesn’t automatically mean this. Fairtrade Nederland explains that mass balance may apply to cocoa and sugar; for a composite product, check the packaging to see which ingredients and sourcing method the claim refers to.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on declaring allergens on food labels; the taaitaai from Albert Heijn and PLUS mentioned here contains, among other things, cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise storing the taaitaai mentioned here in a cool, dark and dry place; Albert Heijn also recommends keeping it in a sealed tin after opening.
