Only choose taaitaai for a toddler as a Fairtrade option if the packaging for that exact variety carries the FAIRTRADE Mark. Keep it as a small, occasional treat; check the latest allergen information and ask the school or childcare setting about its policies before packing any.
A retailer’s general sustainability claim isn’t enough for you: you want to be able to check the certification on the taaitaai itself. According to Fairtrade International, the FAIRTRADE Mark means that the parties involved have met internationally agreed, independently audited standards.
You want a festive biscuit treat for a young child or toddler, but you don’t want taaitaai to become an everyday habit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends that young children have biscuits about once a week rather than every day.
You need to know which ingredients are in the variety you choose and what the group’s policies are. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk in the regular taaitaai varieties mentioned here. Always check the packaging of the product you’re actually sending in.
When choosing taaitaai for a toddler, certification, portion size and allergens are separate considerations. First decide whether Fairtrade is a must-have, then check the packaging and think about when it will be eaten.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade certification | Look for the FAIRTRADE Mark on the packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen. A retailer’s general Fairtrade statement says nothing about this particular biscuit. | I don’t want to mistake a retailer’s claim for certification on the taaitaai itself. Verifiable Fairtrade certification is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portion and when it’s eaten | Check the portion size and nutritional information per portion on the current label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends giving young children biscuits occasionally rather than every day. | For a special treat, I want to keep the portion small rather than turn it into an everyday snack. Around 33% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Allergens and group policies | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Ask the school or childcare setting what’s allowed in the group. | If allergies or group policies are a concern, I want to know whether I can pack these biscuits. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking allergens and childcare policies. |
A retailer selling Fairtrade products isn’t claiming that every variety of taaitaai is certified. According to Fairtrade International, the FAIRTRADE Mark applies to the product carrying the mark.
So check for the mark on the packaging of the exact taaitaai you want to buy.
Even a small portion of taaitaai is still a biscuit. For young children and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as everyday snacks, with biscuits as an occasional choice.
For a special treat, check the portion size and nutritional information on the packaging.
The regular varieties mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list wheat, rye and milk. Ingredients and warnings may differ between varieties.
Read the latest packaging before giving your child taaitaai or packing it to take with them, and discuss the policies with the school or childcare setting if needed.
These examples can help you compare product information. A brand name or own-brand claim doesn’t confirm Fairtrade certification for a specific taaitaai variety.
AH Taai taai is a regular taaitaai variety sold in a 350 g pack.
Jumbo De Originele Taai Taai is a regular variety sold in a 500 g pack.
PLUS sells own-brand varieties including Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken and Taai taai sint en piet.
ALDI describes Taai-taai 500 g as aniseed-flavoured biscuits shaped like figures.
When the FAIRTRADE Mark appears on the packaging of the specific product. According to Fairtrade International, the mark shows that the parties involved have met internationally agreed, independently audited standards. A general claim about the retailer isn’t enough.
Taaitaai isn’t an obvious everyday snack choice. For young children and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as everyday snacks, and biscuits about once a week rather than every day. If you’re choosing it as a treat, check the portion size on the packaging.
The regular varieties mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and rye. Check the allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’re buying; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
The warning refers to possible cross-contamination with an allergen, not an ingredient deliberately added to the biscuit. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, rules have applied in the Netherlands since 1 January 2026 on when and how producers must warn about such cross-contamination on labels. Read the warning on the packaging you’ve chosen and take account of any policies that apply to your child and their group.
