For a child with coeliac disease, choose taaitaai biscuits whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain mark; ordinary taaitaai biscuits are not automatically suitable. Check for other allergens and the school’s rules, and pack the biscuit separately from food containing gluten. Offer taaitaai as a treat, not as a replacement for lunch.
They’re looking for taaitaai biscuits clearly labelled gluten-free and want to prevent the biscuit coming into contact with ordinary bread or biscuit crumbs in the lunchbox. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses that gluten-free food must remain gluten-free at school too.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, they need to read the full allergen information. Albert Heijn’s product details list almonds, milk and lupin among the allergens in the variants shown.
They want to pack taaitaai biscuits now and then without letting them replace the usual lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes fruit and vegetables as part of food for school.
First check the gluten-free label on the packaging, then look at the other allergens and how the taaitaai biscuits will be taken to school.
| What to look out for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and packed separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain mark on the current packaging. Make sure the biscuits are also kept in a clean, separate container. | If my child has coeliac disease, I want the taaitaai biscuits to be suitable for their gluten-free diet and kept away from ordinary bread crumbs; around 46% of consumers put this assurance first. |
| Other allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients, allergen information and ‘may contain’ statements. Check the school’s allergy or food-sharing policy too. | A gluten-free biscuit must also be suitable for the other allergens my child needs to avoid and comply with the classroom rules; this is the most important consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Its place in the lunch | Check the portion size and nutritional information per 100 g, and pack taaitaai alongside the usual lunch. | I’m looking for a little festive treat, but I don’t want a biscuit to replace a proper lunch; this is the first consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
The standard taaitaai biscuits listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat and rye, so they are not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Check the current packaging rather than relying on the product name or the shape of the biscuit.
A gluten-free variant may still contain other allergens. Albert Heijn lists almonds for Consenza and milk and lupin for Maître Mathis; the latter also carries a ‘may contain’ statement for egg, nuts and sesame.
Compare the full allergen information with what the child needs to avoid and with the school’s rules.
Contact with crumbs from bread or biscuits containing gluten can make gluten-free taaitaai unsuitable for a child with coeliac disease.
Use a clean, sealed container and talk to the school about keeping food separate during shared mealtimes.
A piece of taaitaai takes the place of regular lunch items if it replaces the whole meal.
Pack it as a treat alongside a suitable lunch; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends fruit and vegetables as part of food for school.
Albert Heijn lists Consenza Taaitaai Figures, 125 g, as gluten-free.
Albert Heijn listed a 125 g Maître Mathis taaitaai variant described as gluten-free.
Jumbo listed Gluten Free Bakery Holland Taai Taai Gluten-Free, 130 g.
Not if the ingredients or allergen information list wheat, rye or gluten. The standard variants listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain wheat and rye. For a gluten-free option, check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain mark.
No. Other allergens and school rules may also affect your choice. Albert Heijn lists almonds for Consenza and milk and lupin for Maître Mathis; check the packaging for any ‘may contain’ statements too.
Put the taaitaai in a clean, sealed container and keep it away from ordinary sandwiches, biscuits and crumbs. In its guidance for schools, the Dutch Coeliac Society stresses that gluten-free food must remain gluten-free and recommends discussing school meals with parents.
