People with a strict sugar-free requirement
If you only want to serve something that can be labelled sugar-free, the amount of sugars per 100 g is the deciding factor. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g.
Who is this choice important for?
Fans watching the Netherlands who want to share taaitaai
For you, the flavour and chewy texture are part of the occasion. Compare the sugars per 100 g, then decide how much to serve. Don’t mistake regular taaitaai for a sugar-free option.
People comparing supermarkets
If you want to know which taaitaai you can buy, look beyond the product name or packaging. The nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging will help you decide whether a product suits your needs.
What should you look for when choosing?
A sugar-free alternative
When: Choose a different type of snack if being sugar-free matters more than the flavour and texture of taaitaai, and check the sugars per 100 g.
Trade-off: An alternative to taaitaai won’t be the same kind of biscuit. A name or claim alone is no substitute for checking the label.
Regular taaitaai
When: Choose taaitaai if this is the biscuit you want to share and being sugar-free isn’t a strict requirement.
Trade-off: Based on the sugar values listed, the regular varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t meet the sugar-free limit.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing a sugar-free option | Read the label on the packaging and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the sugar-free limit at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a strict requirement for me, I don’t want to rely on a similar-sounding claim. This is a priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Sharing taaitaai | Compare sugars per 100 g, then look at the serving size; Albert Heijn lists 11 g per serving and Jumbo 14 g. | During the match, I mainly want to put a familiar biscuit on the table and decide how much to serve myself. Around 27% of consumers say this is their priority. |
| Comparing products in shops | Check the current range and compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging of the products available to buy. | When choosing between shops, I want to see what’s available and what’s in it before I buy. This is the main thing around 27% of consumers are looking for. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking ‘reduced sugar’ for ‘sugar-free’
These terms don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled sugar-free may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The listed values for regular taaitaai from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are all above this limit.
If sugar-free is a strict requirement, check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the packaging.
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Comparing only the stated serving size
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own serving sizes. This means that the value per serving alone doesn’t tell you which comparable product contains more sugars.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then decide how much taaitaai you want to serve during the match.
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Skipping the ingredients and allergen information
Traditional taaitaai can contain various sources of sugar and allergens. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists ingredients containing sugar, as well as cereals containing gluten and milk.
If you have an allergy or want to avoid a particular ingredient, check the current packaging before serving the biscuits.
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Relying on a search result to choose a product
A product name in a shop listing doesn’t give you all the information you need to assess its sugar or allergen content.
Check the current product details and packaging before deciding whether it meets your requirements.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
AH Taai taai is a regular taaitaai biscuit sold in a 500 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g and a serving size of 11 g, along with ingredients and allergen information.
- At 39 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety isn’t suitable if you want a strictly sugar-free option.
Jumbo
Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is a regular variety sold in a 500 g pack.
- Jumbo lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g and 5.4 g per stated 14 g serving.
- This sugar value per 100 g doesn’t meet a strict sugar-free requirement.
PLUS
PLUS Taai taai sint en piet is a regular variety sold in a 500 g pack.
- PLUS lists 38.594 g of sugars per 100 g and provides ingredients and allergen information to help you compare the product.
- This isn’t a sugar-free option. Check the current packaging, as product information can change.
ALDI
ALDI lists anise-flavoured taaitaai in the shape of figures, in a 500 g pack.
- The product description helps you identify this taaitaai as a regular biscuit.
- If you need a sugar-free option, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the current packaging.
Dirk
Dirk’s product listing includes 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
- The product name and pack size give you a useful starting point when choosing where to shop.
- Before choosing this product as a sugar-free option, check the packaging for sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens.
Joybuy products as alternatives
These products are alternatives to taaitaai for an evening watching the Netherlands; they aren’t taaitaai. If you’re looking for a strictly sugar-free option, check the current nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients for each product. Also look out for any warnings on the packaging.
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Klene Sugarfree Salty Ovals 110 g
A different type of sweet for match time if you don’t specifically want to serve taaitaai.
Pack size: 110 g. Check the ingredients if you want to avoid particular substances.
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Klene Sugarfree Liquorice Hearts 110 g
A liquorice alternative to taaitaai when you fancy putting a different flavour on the table.
Pack size: 110 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect and advises people with high blood pressure to avoid excessive consumption.
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Klene Sugarfree Honey Liquorice 110 g
A liquorice option for anyone who would rather serve sweets than taaitaai while watching the match.
Pack size: 110 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
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Klene Sugar-Free Liquorice with Eucalyptus Flavor 90 g
Eucalyptus-flavoured liquorice for anyone who fancies something other than taaitaai during the match.
Pack size: 90 g. The product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Frequently asked questions
When can you call taaitaai sugar-free?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check this value in the nutritional information for the specific taaitaai you want to buy.
Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. The Diabetes Fund distinguishes between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’: a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally. To check whether something is sugar-free, look at the total ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
How do you compare taaitaai with different serving sizes?
First compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that manufacturers set their own serving sizes; use the value per serving afterwards to work out how much you want to serve.
What should you check if you have a food allergy?
Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the taaitaai you’re going to eat. The product information for the regular varieties mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists cereals containing gluten and milk, among other things. Other varieties may have a different composition.