Consumers with a strict sugar-free requirement
You don’t want to confuse ‘sugar-free’ with ‘no added sugars’, so you check the amount of sugars per 100 g.
Only buy taaitaai biscuits for a quick breakfast on the go as a sugar-free option if the nutrition information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Under European rules on nutrition claims, ‘no added sugars’ does not mean the same thing. The product information for the regular taaitaai biscuits from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists 39 g, 38.6 g and 38.594 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, so none of these varieties meets this requirement. If you want breakfast with no preparation, consider another easy-to-carry combination too, such as wholemeal bread and fruit, in line with the breakfast examples from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You don’t want to confuse ‘sugar-free’ with ‘no added sugars’, so you check the amount of sugars per 100 g.
You’re looking for something ready to eat and easy to portion, but you don’t want to mistake convenient packaging for a sugar-free recipe.
You want to know what to take with you alongside a possible sweet snack, while also considering the nutritional value of your breakfast as a whole.
If ‘sugar-free’ is a firm requirement, start by checking the sugars per 100 g. Then consider whether you can take the option with you without any preparation, and what else you’d like to have for breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free | Read the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g. Under EUR-Lex rules, the ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a firm requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on a differently worded claim. Around 46% of consumers put this check first. |
| Ready to take with you | Check whether the product is ready to eat and how you can portion it; a recipe needs to be prepared in advance. | On a morning when I don’t have time to bake, I need something I can take with me straight away. For around 36% of consumers, this convenience matters most. |
| Breakfast combination | Check the nutrition information per portion and decide what to take alongside a possible biscuit, such as fruit or a wholegrain product. | If I eat taaitaai biscuits as part of my breakfast, I also want to think about the rest of the meal. This breakfast combination is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Under European rules on nutrition claims, a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. There is a separate limit for ‘sugar-free’.
If you have a strict sugar-free requirement for taaitaai biscuits, check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g and look for no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
A small or easy-to-carry pack says nothing about the sugar content. The regular taaitaai biscuits shown on the Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS product pages do not meet the sugar-free limit.
Check the nutrition information for the specific variety before choosing it as a sugar-free option.
A lower sugar content on its own doesn’t tell you what else you’re eating for breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes wholegrain products and fruit in its breakfast examples.
Decide whether taaitaai is an accompaniment, and take other breakfast items with you if needed.
The product information for the regular varieties discussed lists cereals containing gluten, and several varieties also contain milk. The ingredients in the pack you buy are what matter.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging every time you buy.
AH Taai taai in a 350 g pack is a typical example of regular taaitaai biscuits.
Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is a regular variety in a 500 g pack.
PLUS sells its own-brand taaitaai biscuits in a 500 g bag.
Bolletje Taai Taai is a branded variety for which Albert Heijn lists a 350 g pack.
No. Under European rules on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. ‘No added sugars’ is a different claim, so if you have a strict sugar-free requirement for taaitaai biscuits, always check the amount of sugars per 100 g.
No, not the varieties discussed here. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Taai taai, Jumbo lists 38.6 g for Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and PLUS lists 38.594 g for the variety described; all these figures are above 0.5 g per 100 g.
The term ‘sugar-free’ tells you only about the sugar content, not about your breakfast as a whole. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholegrain products, yoghurt or a suitable dairy alternative, and fruit among its breakfast options. So think about what you’d like to eat alongside a possible biscuit.
Yes. The regular taaitaai varieties discussed list cereals containing gluten, and several varieties also list milk. Check the current packaging for the specific product you’re buying.