Travellers who want to compare sugar levels
You want to choose taaitaai before you travel based on the nutrition information per 100 g, rather than relying solely on a description such as ‘less sugar’.
Who is this relevant to?
Travellers with hand luggage only
You’re looking for a solid snack to take with you and want to know how Schiphol distinguishes between food and spreads or liquids.
Travellers who need to check for gluten or allergens
You need a clear dietary label or need to check the ingredients, ‘contains’ statements and possible traces. Even with a gluten-free variety, the sugar content needs to be compared separately.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutrition information for comparable taaitaai. Then check whether the packaging and allergen information meet your needs for the journey.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar taaitaai; check the ingredients list too. | I want to choose a relatively lower sugar figure before travelling without confusing it with a nutrition claim. This is the main consideration for around 50% of consumers. |
| Taking it in hand luggage | Check that the taaitaai is solid and that you can reseal the packaging while travelling. Assess any spreads separately. | With hand luggage only, I want to take a solid snack without treating a spread like an ordinary biscuit. This is the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the current ingredients, dietary labels and statements about allergens present and possible traces. | If I need to avoid gluten or an allergen, the packaging must suit my dietary requirement. Around 20% of consumers give this check top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a lower figure for a ‘reduced sugar’ claim
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list sugar figures of 36 g to 39 g per 100 g for the ordinary taaitaai varieties compared. The ranking between them does not, by itself, substantiate a nutrition claim.
Use the figures to assess comparable products, and check any claim separately on the current packaging.
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Mistaking a product page for confirmation that it’s currently available
The pages consulted mark Bolletje Taai Taai as discontinued and Jumbo De Originele Taai Taai as no longer available in its online range.
Before travelling, check that the variety you want is actually available. If it isn’t, compare the labels of taaitaai that are in stock.
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Assuming gluten-free means lower in sugar
Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij. The same product information says this variety contains milk and lupin, and may contain traces of egg, nuts and sesame.
Check the gluten-free label, sugar figure and all relevant allergen information separately.
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Treating biscuits and spreads in the same way
Schiphol says food is allowed in hand luggage, but spreads are treated as liquids at security.
Take solid taaitaai in a sealed packet, and check the hand luggage rules separately if you want to bring a dip or spread too.
Brands to compare
These product listings can help you compare taaitaai; they don’t tell you which variety is available in your shop.
Albert Heijn
AH Taai taai is a 500 g own-brand variety.
- Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars and 35 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- The product information lists wheat, rye and milk. Check the packaging, as product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo De Originele Taai Taai is a standard 500 g variety with nutrition information per 100 g and per serving.
- Jumbo lists 38.8 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The page consulted says this variety is no longer in the online range. The allergen information lists milk, rye, wheat and gluten, with possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame.
Bolletje
Bolletje Taai Taai is a 350 g branded variety that you can compare by its sugar figure per 100 g.
- Albert Heijn lists 36 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
- The page consulted marks the product as discontinued. The allergen information lists wheat, rye and milk, with possible traces of peanuts and soya.
Maître Mathis
Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij is a separate variety for anyone specifically looking for a gluten-free label.
- The product information lists gluten-free oat flour.
- Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g, milk and lupin, and possible traces of egg, nuts and sesame. The page consulted marks this variety as discontinued.
ALDI
ALDI lists 500 g taai-taai as a seasonal product in its Sinterklaas range.
- The stated pack weight is 500 g.
- Only compare this variety by sugar content after checking the nutrition information on the packaging.
Related Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take packaged taaitaai in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Yes. Schiphol says food is allowed in hand luggage; solid taaitaai isn’t covered by the rules for liquids and spreads. If you’re taking a spread with you, check the liquids rules separately.
How do I compare taaitaai if I want less sugar?
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g across similar taaitaai. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing per 100 g, as serving sizes can vary. Also read the ingredients list if you want to identify sources of sugar.
Is taaitaai with a lower sugar figure automatically ‘reduced sugar’?
No. A lower figure than that of another ordinary taaitaai doesn’t substantiate this nutrition claim. Check whether the current packaging makes the claim; don’t use your own per-100 g comparison as a substitute for substantiating it.
Does gluten-free taaitaai automatically contain less sugar?
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you the sugar content. Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij; check the listed allergens too if they’re relevant to you.
Should I still read the packaging if I’ve already checked the nutrition information online?
Yes. Check the current packaging before eating the product, especially for ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.