Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents of a child with coeliac disease

For them, choosing starts with the gluten-free statement on the current packaging. The ingredients and any cross-contamination warning also deserve a close look.

Parents packing a snack for school or an after-school club

If your child is taking it in or sharing it, you also need to consider allergens that may affect other children, as well as the school or club’s rules. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies in advance.

Families looking for a small sweet snack

For an after-school snack, consider the amount of taaitaai per portion and its nutritional value. A gluten-free statement alone tells you nothing about its nutritional value.

What should you look for when choosing?

If coeliac disease is a factor, start by checking for a gluten-free statement. Then check the other allergens and, if your child is taking the taaitaai in, the school’s rules. Finally, decide what portion you want to pack.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free statement Look for an explicit statement on the current packaging and check which grains are listed in the ingredients. Oats must be specifically labelled as gluten-free. If a child has coeliac disease, I wouldn’t rely on the product name when choosing taaitaai. Around 50% of consumers put this check first.
Other allergens and school rules Read the listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces. If your child is taking it in or sharing it, ask about the school or after-school club’s rules. If I want to share taaitaai with other children, I need to take their allergies and the school’s rules into account. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Portion and nutritional value Check the nutritional information per 100 g and decide how much taaitaai to pack for one snack break. For an after-school snack, I want to pack a set portion without assuming that gluten-free means anything about nutritional value. This is a top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming standard taaitaai is gluten-free

    The product name alone doesn’t tell you whether it is suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Jumbo lists wheat, rye and gluten for De Originele Taai Taai.

    Use an explicit gluten-free statement on the packaging as your first criterion.

  • Stopping at ‘gluten-free’

    A gluten-free version may contain other allergens. Albert Heijn lists almonds in the Consenza version and milk and lupin in Maître Mathis.

    For the exact version, check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging.

  • Relying on an old product listing

    Albert Heijn marks the Maître Mathis version as discontinued; Jumbo says the Gluten Free Bakery Holland version is no longer available online.

    Before buying, check whether the version you want is available and read the label on the pack you actually choose.

  • Overlooking school or after-school club rules

    A snack that’s suitable for a child at home isn’t automatically suitable for sharing at school. Rules about treats and other children’s allergies may also apply.

    Check in advance what your child is allowed to bring and look for relevant allergens if others will be eating the taaitaai.

Brands to consider

The information below relates to specific taaitaai versions, not every product from these brands.

Consenza

Albert Heijn lists Consenza Taai taai poppetjes, 125 g, as gluten-free and organic.

  • The listed ingredients include gluten-free oat flour.
  • This version contains almonds. Check the current packaging if almonds or any other listed allergens are relevant.

Maître Mathis

Albert Heijn lists a 125 g gluten-free taaitaai version, but marks it as discontinued.

  • The product information lists gluten-free oat flour.
  • According to Albert Heijn, this version contains milk and lupin and may contain egg, nuts and sesame. Check the label if you find it elsewhere.

Gluten Free Bakery Holland

Jumbo lists a 130 g gluten-free taaitaai version, but says it is no longer available online.

  • The product name identifies this version as gluten-free taaitaai.
  • If you come across it in a shop, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is standard taaitaai suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Don’t assume it is: choose taaitaai with an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging. Jumbo lists wheat and rye flour for De Originele Taai Taai and names gluten as an allergen.

Is gluten-free taaitaai also free from other allergens?

No. The Consenza version listed by Albert Heijn contains almonds; the Maître Mathis version contains milk and lupin and may contain egg, nuts and sesame. So always read the label of the exact version you’re buying.

Can my child take gluten-free taaitaai to school or an after-school club?

Check the rules first, especially if the taaitaai will be shared. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking in advance about other children’s allergies when bringing in treats.

What should I look out for when packing it to avoid cross-contamination?

Keep the gluten-free taaitaai separate from food containing gluten and any crumbs while packing it. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that gluten can get into food that should be gluten-free through cross-contamination.