Who is this choice relevant to?

Gift buyers who know about the allergy

You know which allergen the recipient needs to avoid and want to check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the gift’s packaging.

People who need to avoid gluten or milk

You’re considering taaitaai as a gift. The products mentioned on the Albert Heijn and Jumbo product pages list wheat, rye and milk, so check the exact variety before choosing.

Gift-givers who don’t know about the allergy

You’d like to give an edible gift, but don’t know which allergen is relevant. Ask the recipient first. Without that information, you can’t assess whether a particular taaitaai or box of chocolates is suitable.

What should you consider when choosing?

Start with the allergen the recipient needs to avoid. Then choose a product variety and check the pack you’re actually buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
The specific allergen Compare the allergen to be avoided with the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety. If I know which substance the recipient needs to avoid, I want to check it on the gift’s label first. Around 42% of consumers put this specific allergen first.
Cross-contamination and the current packaging Read any warning about possible cross-contamination and check the packaging again, even if you’ve bought the product before. If traces also matter for a gift, I want to know what the warning says on the pack I’ve bought. For around 33% of consumers, this is their main concern.
Choosing a suitable gift Ask about the relevant allergy, then check the information for the taaitaai or box of chocolates you’ve chosen. I’d like to give something edible, but without knowing the recipient’s allergy, I can’t choose a product. Around 25% of consumers prioritise having this information when choosing a gift.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming taaitaai is gluten- or milk-free

    The Bolletje and Jumbo taaitaai products mentioned list wheat, rye and milk. So the product type’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens a particular variety contains.

    For every variety, check both the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging.

  • Relying only on the online product page

    Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergy information can change. A product page you looked at previously is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’ve bought.

    Check that label again before giving the gift.

  • Not asking about loose products

    For unpackaged products, you need information about the exact item. Jumbo also says that cross-contamination cannot be ruled out for certain bake-off products.

    Before buying, ask about allergens and possible cross-contamination if this is relevant to the recipient.

  • Choosing an edible gift without knowing about the allergy

    Without knowing which allergen the recipient needs to avoid, you can’t assess whether a particular taaitaai or box of chocolates is suitable.

    Ask first or choose a non-edible alternative.

Shops and brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Product pages can help you check ingredients and allergens in advance.

  • Albert Heijn displays allergen information for the Bolletje taaitaai product mentioned.
  • Albert Heijn says product information can change, so read the packaging of the item you’ve bought.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides allergen information for packaged products and information about some unpackaged items.

  • The Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes product page lists wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients.
  • Jumbo says that cross-contamination cannot be ruled out for certain bake-off products.

Lidl

Checking the packaging is important when assessing a specific food product.

  • Lidl says the ingredients of food products are shown on the packaging.
  • Lidl doesn’t provide a general online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products.

Aldi

Assess a gift based on the exact product you want to buy.

  • Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
  • Don’t rely on information for another variety or a similar gift pack.

Plus

A product page can be a useful first check when choosing a packaged gift.

  • PLUS product pages may show allergen information.
  • PLUS recommends reading the packaging before using a product.

Dirk

For a gift, check the packaging of the taaitaai or box of chocolates you’re actually choosing.

  • If necessary, ask for information about the exact item before buying it.
  • Don’t infer a product’s allergens from its name or gift packaging alone.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do allergens have to be listed on pre-packed taaitaai or a box of chocolates?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any allergens that must be declared have to be clearly distinguishable in the ingredients list on the label of a pre-packed food product. Check the label on the exact variety you’re buying.

Is a supermarket’s online ingredients information enough?

Use it as an initial check, not your only check. Albert Heijn says ingredients and allergy information can change and recommends reading the packaging.

What should I check for unpackaged taaitaai or bake-off products?

Ask for allergen information about the exact product before buying. If possible cross-contamination matters to the recipient, ask about that too. Jumbo says this cannot be ruled out for certain bake-off products.

Are the taaitaai products mentioned suitable for someone who needs to avoid wheat, rye or milk?

Not if the recipient needs to avoid any of these listed allergens. The product pages for Bolletje Taai Taai at Albert Heijn and Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes list wheat, rye and milk. Always check the packaging of the variety you want to buy as well.

What should I do if there’s a warning about possible cross-contamination?

Take the warning into account when assessing the exact product, and ask the recipient whether that information is relevant to them. Don’t treat the absence of an ingredient from the list as an answer to a separate warning about possible cross-contamination.