Who are these biscuits for?

People with coeliac disease who check gluten status

You first check whether the exact packaging is labelled gluten-free, then read the current ingredients.

Anyone looking for a digestive to enjoy with tea or use as a cheesecake base

You want a crisp, gluten-free biscuit to enjoy with a hot drink or use as a biscuit base, rather than the spiced flavour of taaitaai.

Taaitaai fans with coeliac disease

You’re specifically looking for that spiced anise flavour. If you also have an allergy to oats or almonds, take extra care with the Consenza variety listed by Albert Heijn.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check that the exact variety is labelled gluten-free. Then decide whether you want taaitaai or a digestive, and which other allergens you need to avoid.

What to look for What to check when buying Most relevant for
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the exact packaging and read the ingredients; don’t rely on the biscuit’s name alone. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the gluten content must be no more than 20 mg/kg for this label to be used. If you have coeliac disease, you’ll want to check that the specific variety you’re buying is labelled gluten-free, rather than relying on the words ‘digestive’ or ‘taaitaai’. This check comes first for around 50% of consumers.
Type of biscuit and how you’ll use it Choose between spiced taaitaai and a crisp digestive biscuit. Jumbo also lists the gluten-free Schär Digestive Landtaler as suitable for use as a biscuit base. You’ll want a different biscuit for tea or a cheesecake base than when you fancy the anise flavour of taaitaai. For around 30% of consumers, this difference in use or flavour is the deciding factor.
Other allergens Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for your chosen variety, especially if oats, nuts, soya, milk, egg or lupin are relevant to you. If you need to avoid anything besides gluten, you’ll want to know what each taaitaai or digestive variety contains. Around 20% of consumers put this additional allergen check first.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘digestive’ or ‘taaitaai’ means gluten-free

    The standard PLUS Digestive biscuit lists wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour. So the type of biscuit doesn’t tell you whether a product is a gluten-free choice.

    Check for the ‘gluten-free’ label on the exact packaging and read the ingredients too.

  • Overlooking other allergens in a gluten-free biscuit

    The Consenza taaitaai listed by Albert Heijn contains oats and almonds. The Schär digestives listed have different allergen profiles, including soya and, in the chocolate variety, milk.

    For the variety you’re buying, compare the ingredients and ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements with any other allergies you have.

  • Treating an old product listing as a guarantee that it’s available to buy

    Jumbo says that Gluten Free Bakery Holland Taai Taai Glutenvrij 130 g is no longer in its online range.

    Check that your chosen variety is available shortly before buying, and read the information on the current packaging.

Brands with relevant product varieties

Consenza

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

  • This specific variety contains ingredients including aniseed and buckwheat flour, making it a good option if you’re looking for spiced taaitaai.
  • The ingredients also include gluten-free oats and almonds; check these if you have any other allergies.

Schär

Jumbo lists the gluten-free Digestive Landtaler to enjoy with tea or use as a biscuit base; PLUS lists a gluten-free digestive with milk chocolate.

  • The two varieties listed give you a choice between a digestive without a chocolate coating and one with milk chocolate.
  • The Landtaler contains soya and may contain egg and lupin. The chocolate variety contains milk and soya, and may also contain egg and lupin; check the label for the variety you choose.

Gluten Free Bakery Holland

Jumbo lists Gluten Free Bakery Holland Taai Taai Glutenvrij 130 g, but says this product is no longer in its online range.

  • The listed variety is taaitaai, not a digestive biscuit.
  • Don’t assume it’s available online just because it has a product listing. If you find a pack elsewhere, check the current ingredients and allergen information.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a biscuit pack if you have coeliac disease?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label may be used when the gluten content of the food sold to consumers is no more than 20 mg/kg. Check that the label appears on the exact packaging you’re buying, and read the current ingredients too.

Are all digestives gluten-free?

No. The standard PLUS Digestive biscuit lists wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour. Check the packaging of every other digestive you consider; the name tells you nothing about its gluten status.

When should you choose gluten-free taaitaai rather than a digestive?

Choose gluten-free taaitaai if you’re specifically looking for a spiced anise flavour. If you want a crisp biscuit to enjoy with tea or use as a biscuit base, a gluten-free digestive is a better fit; in either case, check the exact variety.

Do you also need to check for other allergens in gluten-free taaitaai and digestives?

Yes, if you have any other allergies. The Consenza taaitaai listed by Albert Heijn contains oats and almonds, while the Schär digestives listed contain soya and, in the chocolate variety, milk. Check each pack for statements about the possible presence of other allergens too.