Who is this choice relevant to?

Travellers choosing strictly sugar-free snacks

You want to take taai-taai with you that meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A different sugar-related claim on the front of the pack isn’t enough.

Travellers avoiding gluten

You’re looking for gluten-free taai-taai and also want to check the sugar content and other allergens separately.

Travellers planning portions

You don’t need to choose a strictly sugar-free snack, but want to decide how much taai-taai to take before setting off and understand what the nutritional information per serving means.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is an essential requirement. Then check allergens, portions and what to look for on the pack before you set off.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the maximum threshold of 0.5 g per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. If I want to take strictly sugar-free taai-taai with me, the product itself must meet this threshold. This requirement is a top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Gluten and allergens Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings; check the sugar information separately. If I need to avoid gluten or another allergen, I want to be able to assess the information on the pack I’ve chosen. This need comes first for around 20% of consumers.
Serving size Compare sugars per 100 g and per stated serving; decide how many pieces to take. For a snack that can be shared, I want to know in advance how much everyone can have, without mistaking a small serving for a sugar-free product. Around 27% of consumers say portion planning is their priority.
Packaging and shelf life Check the use-by date, storage instructions and current availability before you set off. If I shop well before the journey, I want to know whether the pack will still be suitable on the day and how to store it. This practical planning matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means sugar-free

    These are different product qualities. According to Albert Heijn, the gluten-free Consenza Taai Taai Poppetjes contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g.

    If you’re choosing a gluten-free product, also check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g separately.

  • Calling a small serving sugar-free

    A smaller serving doesn’t change the taai-taai’s nutritional value per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 7.5 g of sugars as a reference amount for a 20 g piece of taai-taai.

    Use the serving information to plan how much to take, not to describe a product containing sugar as sugar-free.

  • Relying on the product title alone

    Your choice should be based on the nutritional information, ingredients and use-by date on the pack. An online title doesn’t show all of these details.

    Read the current packaging and check that the item is available before you set off.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Other allergens may also matter in gluten-free taai-taai: Albert Heijn’s product information lists oats and almonds among the ingredients for Consenza.

    Ask every traveller who needs to avoid allergens to check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’ve chosen.

Brands and product ranges compared

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes are an example of regular taai-taai in a larger pack.

  • Jumbo states that this pack contains 500 g, or around 36 servings, which makes it easier to work out how to share it on the go.
  • With 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety doesn’t meet the threshold for ‘sugar-free’.

Consenza

Albert Heijn describes the Taai Taai Poppetjes as gluten-free.

  • This variety is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for gluten-free taai-taai.
  • Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g. Also check the listed allergens, including oats and almonds.

Maître Mathis

Taai taai glutenvrij is another example where gluten and sugars need to be assessed separately.

  • Albert Heijn’s product description identifies this variety as gluten-free.
  • Albert Heijn lists 41 g of sugars per 100 g. The product page also says the item is no longer in the range.

Van Delft

Taaikoeken Naturel is an option if you’re looking for traditional spiced biscuits, but not if you need a strictly sugar-free product.

  • Van Delft describes this plain variety as a spiced biscuit with aniseed and spices.
  • Van Delft lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g. For this variety, also read the information about wheat, rye and milk protein.

Taai-taai at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can taai-taai be called sugar-free?

Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, taai-taai must contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim. So compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with this threshold.

Is gluten-free taai-taai also sugar-free?

No, gluten-free doesn’t tell you anything about the sugar content. Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for the gluten-free Consenza Taai Taai Poppetjes and 41 g per 100 g for the gluten-free Maître Mathis variety.

Can I take regular taai-taai if I want to plan portions?

Yes. If you’re not looking for a strictly sugar-free snack, you can decide in advance how many pieces to take. Check the nutritional information for your chosen product per serving and per 100 g; a smaller serving doesn’t make the product sugar-free.

What should I check on the pack before setting off?

Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for your chosen taai-taai, as well as the use-by date and any storage instructions. If you need to avoid allergens, also check for warnings about possible cross-contamination.