Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone buying a gift for someone with coeliac disease

Even for a small treat, you’ll want to know what the current packaging says about gluten and possible cross-contamination.

Anyone looking for taaitaai for Sinterklaas

You’re looking specifically for taaitaai, but don’t want to mistake a standard version for a gluten-free one. The taaitaai recipe published by Jumbo uses wheat, while the standard Bolletje product listed by Jumbo contains wheat and rye flour.

Anyone who would rather give chocolate

You’re looking for a chocolate gift and want to check whether other allergens, such as milk, soya or nuts, matter to the recipient as well as gluten.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the recipient is expecting taaitaai, chocolate or specifically a box of chocolates. Then check the current packaging for the product you’ve chosen. A gluten-free chocolate bar won’t necessarily be suitable for someone with other allergies.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free product information Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a gift’s name or appearance alone. For around 50% of consumers, clear evidence that a product is gluten-free comes first.
Taaitaai as a treat Check that it really is gluten-free taaitaai, and also read the information about oats and nuts. For a Sinterklaas treat, I want to give familiar taaitaai without assuming that a standard version is interchangeable. For around 30% of consumers, finding taaitaai is the top priority.
Chocolate as a gift Check whether a bar is the right kind of gift, and read both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information for other relevant allergens. I’d rather give chocolate, and want both the format and allergen information to suit the recipient. For around 20% of consumers, that combination is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking standard taaitaai for a gluten-free treat

    The standard Bolletje product listed by Jumbo contains wheat and rye flour. So the product type alone won’t tell you whether a particular version is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check the ingredients and gluten-free label on the packaging of the exact version you want to give.

  • Relying only on an online product description

    Ingredients and allergen information can change, so an older description is no substitute for checking the current packaging.

    Before giving the product, check its packaging, including the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    The gluten-free Céréal milk chocolate listed by Jumbo contains milk and soya, and may also contain nuts, egg, lupin, peanuts and sesame.

    Ask which other allergens matter to the recipient and compare them with the current allergen information.

  • Treating a chocolate bar as if it were a box of chocolates

    The Céréal chocolate listed by Jumbo is a 100 g bar. That’s a different kind of gift from a box of chocolates.

    If a box of chocolates is important, check the format and gluten-free label on the specific box before choosing.

Brands to consider

Consenza

Albert Heijn lists Consenza Taai taai poppetjes as gluten-free taaitaai.

  • The listed pack contains 125 g; the ingredients include gluten-free oat flour, buckwheat flour and almonds.
  • This isn’t a box of chocolates. Check that oats and almonds are suitable for the recipient.

Céréal

Jumbo lists a gluten-free and lactose-free Céréal milk chocolate bar as a chocolate option.

  • The bar contains 100 g and offers a different kind of product from taaitaai.
  • It isn’t a box of chocolates. The listed chocolate contains milk and soya, and may contain other allergens.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s range of sweet products includes gluten-free brownies and cakes, among other things.

  • A different kind of product may work if the recipient isn’t specifically looking for taaitaai or chocolate.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for the individual product; the range name doesn’t tell you anything about a specific box of chocolates.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s range includes various gluten-free sweet treats, such as brownies, speculaas and syrup waffles.

  • The range offers other types of sweet treats that you can check individually.
  • Check the current packaging of each product for its ingredients and allergen information; don’t assume that the range name tells you anything about a taaitaai or box of chocolates.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give standard taaitaai to someone with coeliac disease?

Don’t choose standard taaitaai if the ingredients list cereals containing gluten. The recipe published by Jumbo uses wheat, and the standard Bolletje product listed by Jumbo contains wheat and rye flour. Check the exact version against its current packaging.

What if a product carries a cross-contamination warning for gluten?

Take the warning into account when choosing, even if gluten isn’t listed as an ingredient. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains that cross-contamination can introduce gluten into a product. If you’re unsure about a gift, check with the recipient.

Is gluten-free chocolate also free from milk, soya or nuts?

No. A gluten-free label says nothing about those other allergens. The Céréal milk chocolate listed by Jumbo contains milk and soya, and may also contain nuts; check the current ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information for the recipient.