Who is this important for?

A host with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want to serve taaitaai at your garden party that can genuinely be labelled sugar-free, not just a lower-sugar version.

An organiser who keeps an eye on sweeteners

You want to know which sweeteners or polyols a snack contains, especially if guests might have several portions.

An organiser catering for guests with allergies and dietary requirements

You want to check for gluten, milk, nuts and warnings about possible traces separately, without relying on the product name or a sugar-free claim.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether sugar-free is an essential requirement. Then check the sweeteners, allergens and practical presentation of the snacks for your garden party.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free claim Check the claim on the packaging and make sure the nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This is the threshold for the claim under EU rules. If I promise guests sugar-free taaitaai, I want to be able to see that the product meets this requirement. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the sugar-free claim.
Sweeteners Check which sweeteners or polyols are listed in the ingredients and look for any warning about excessive consumption. I want to know what’s in the snack, especially if guests have several portions. For around 31% of consumers, information about sweeteners matters most.
Allergens and dietary requirements Read the allergen information on the current packaging; check any gluten-free and sugar-free claims separately. When guests have an allergy, I don’t want to assume that a sugar-free label says anything about allergens. Around 23% of consumers prioritise allergens and dietary requirements.
Presentation and alternatives Check the current product information and keep regular taaitaai clearly separate from snacks you’re offering as sugar-free. For my garden party, I want to be able to clearly identify which snack meets the sugar-free requirement. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this practical choice and presentation.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing gluten-free with sugar-free

    A gluten-free label tells you nothing about the sugar content. Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g for Consenza Taai taai poppetjes and 41 g per 100 g for Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij.

    Check each requirement separately on the packaging and in the nutritional information.

  • Reading ‘light’ as ‘sugar-free’

    According to Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ means that a product contains at least 30% less energy, fat or sugars than a comparable product. This is not the same claim as sugar-free.

    If you’ve promised guests a sugar-free option, check the specific claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g.

  • Offering regular taaitaai as a sugar-free option

    Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Taai taai and 36 g per 100 g for Bolletje Taai taai. Neither meets the threshold for a sugar-free claim.

    You can serve regular taaitaai as a standard treat, but don’t label it sugar-free.

  • Relying on out-of-date allergy information

    Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. So a product page you viewed earlier might not match the packaging you buy.

    Before serving, read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.

Relevant brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product information covers its own-brand taaitaai as well as a separate gluten-free taaitaai version.

  • The nutritional information provided lets you compare sugars per 100 g.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Taai taai contains 39 g of sugars per 100 g, so it isn’t a sugar-free choice. Check the current packaging.

Bolletje

Bolletje Taai taai is a regular taaitaai product to consider separately from sugar-free options.

  • Albert Heijn lists the amount of sugars per 100 g for this version.
  • At 36 g of sugars per 100 g according to Albert Heijn, this version doesn’t meet the threshold for sugar-free.

Consenza

Consenza Taai taai poppetjes is labelled gluten-free; check separately whether it meets your sugar requirements.

  • Albert Heijn describes this specific taaitaai product as gluten-free.
  • Albert Heijn lists 29 g of sugars per 100 g and includes oats and almonds among the ingredients. Check the packaging for the guests you’re buying for.

Joybuy products for this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can taaitaai be called sugar-free?

Under EU rules, the ‘sugar-free’ claim can only be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For taaitaai, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value in the nutritional information on the packaging.

Is light taaitaai the same as sugar-free taaitaai?

No. According to Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ means at least 30% less energy, fat or sugars than in a comparable product, with an indication of what has been reduced. For a sugar-free option, check the specific claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g.

What should I look out for if a sugar-free snack contains polyols?

Check which polyols are listed in the ingredients and look for any warnings on the packaging. Voedingscentrum notes that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems, so bear this in mind if guests have several portions.

How should I store taaitaai before a garden party?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you buy. For AH Taai taai, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping it in a sealed tin once opened; the instructions may differ for other taaitaai products.