Who is this choice for?

Organisers looking for a lower-sugar option

You’re looking for taaitaai with a demonstrably lower sugar content than a comparable product. Offering a smaller portion or choosing a different product name doesn’t prove that comparison.

Caterers who need to communicate allergen information

You’re serving taaitaai to a mixed conference audience and want guests to be able to check which allergens are present in the product before choosing it, even when it’s served loose on a platter.

Buyers planning a delivery

You need to match quantities to your estimated attendance. To do this, you’ll need to know the current pack size and shelf life, and have confirmation that your chosen variety is available for delivery.

What should you consider when buying?

Distinguish between a substantiated sugar reduction, suitability for guests with allergies and practical delivery arrangements. Standard or gluten-free taaitaai doesn’t automatically meet a lower-sugar requirement.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Demonstrably lower sugar Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across similar taaitaai products. If there’s a reduction claim, also ask which comparable product it’s based on. I don’t just want to offer a smaller portion; I want taaitaai with a substantiated lower sugar content. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers choosing taaitaai for a conference.
Allergens and dietary suitability Check the current ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety. If serving it loose, make sure guests can access the information before choosing. At a buffet, I want to be able to clearly tell guests which allergens are in the taaitaai, even if the packaging isn’t next to the platter. This is the top priority for around 33% of these consumers.
Delivery and portion planning Confirm the variety, pack size and delivery time. Match quantities to your estimated attendance and check the packaging when it arrives. If the treats need to be ready for a specific conference day, I want to know what will be delivered and how many portions I can plan for. Around 25% of these consumers prioritise that certainty.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘lower in sugar’

    These are different product attributes. Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free Maître Mathis taaitaai; that figure doesn’t prove a sugar reduction.

    Check gluten-free and lower-sugar requirements separately against the current packaging and nutrition information.

  • Mistaking a lower figure on the label for a reduction claim

    Two standard products can have different sugar levels without either being substantiated as ‘reduced in sugar’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘reduced sugar’ claim requires at least 30% less sugar than a comparable product.

    Ask which claim the supplier is making, which product it’s being compared with and what the current values per 100 g are.

  • Serving taaitaai loose without accessible allergen information

    According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, guests must be able to access information about allergens present in unpackaged food before choosing it. Packaging kept out of reach of the buffet won’t help guests make that choice.

    Provide written information by the platter, or make it clear that guests can ask someone who has access to the correct product details.

  • Ordering based on an old product listing

    An online listing doesn’t confirm that the same variety will be available for your conference date. Albert Heijn also points out that ingredients and nutrition information can change.

    Before ordering, confirm the variety and delivery time with the supplier. When the order arrives, compare the packaging with the information you plan to share with guests.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The AH Taai taai listing describes a 350 g pack with a portion size of 14 g. This makes the standard taaitaai a useful point of comparison when planning portions.

  • Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The listing includes milk and cereals containing gluten, among other ingredients. Check the current packaging for all allergens present or that may be present. The sugar level alone doesn’t substantiate a reduction claim.

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is listed as a 500 g pack, with around 36 portions of 14 g. You can factor the pack size into your attendance estimate.

  • Jumbo lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
  • The product information lists gluten and milk, among other ingredients, and also notes that other allergens may be present. This product hasn’t been shown to be a lower-sugar option.

Bolletje

Bolletje taai taai is a standard variety. The nutrition information listed by Albert Heijn can be used as a point of comparison.

  • The Albert Heijn listing gives this product’s sugar content as 36 g per 100 g.
  • The listing includes wheat, rye and milk, and says the product is no longer available online. Confirm both availability and the label of the variety on offer with your supplier.

Maître Mathis

The Maître Mathis taaitaai listed by Albert Heijn is a gluten-free variety. This addresses a different need from a lower-sugar requirement.

  • The product listing makes it easy to identify the gluten-free variety when comparing labels.
  • Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g, milk and lupin as allergens present, and notes that other allergens may be present. The listing says the product is no longer available; confirm the current variety and packaging before planning to use it.

Taaitaai on Joybuy

Matching products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can taaitaai be labelled ‘reduced in sugar’?

For a sugar claim, the product must contain at least 30% less sugar than a comparable product, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So check what the claim refers to, and ask not only for the taaitaai’s nutrition information but also what it’s being compared with.

Does gluten-free taaitaai automatically contain less sugar?

No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean a product has less sugar. Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g for its gluten-free Maître Mathis variety, compared with 36 g per 100 g for the standard Bolletje variety listed there; these figures apply only to those specific products.

How can you provide allergen information when taaitaai is served loose on a platter?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present in unpackaged taaitaai must be available before guests make their choice. It can be provided in writing or verbally, as long as guests are clearly told they can ask for it if it’s given verbally.

Is old product information online enough for conference catering?

No. Confirm which variety is available and check the packaging of the product you receive. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutrition values and allergen information can change, so use the details for the taaitaai you’re actually serving when providing buffet information.