Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents specifically looking for sugar-free options

If sugar-free is a must, the name taaitaai is not enough to base your purchase on. According to their product information, both the Albert Heijn and Jumbo products discussed here contain sugars.

Parents looking for a small treat

You could consider taaitaai as a biscuit for an occasional celebration, rather than treating it as an everyday snack. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as snacks.

Parents who need to check allergens

If your child has a relevant allergy, or you’re packing a snack for school or childcare, it’s important to check the current label and the setting’s rules. Even with gluten-free taaitaai, check which other allergens are listed.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is a must or whether you’re mainly looking for an everyday snack. Then check the ingredients and allergens in the product you’re actually planning to pack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free Read the ingredients and compare the amount of sugars per 100 g. A gluten-free label tells you nothing about the amount of sugars. If I’m looking for sugar-free taaitaai, I want to be able to check whether the product I choose meets that requirement. For around 42% of consumers, this is their top priority.
Everyday snack Decide whether you’re looking for something for every day or for an occasional treat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as snacks for toddlers. For a regular snack break, I want to choose something that works as an everyday snack, even if it isn’t taaitaai. Around 33% of consumers give this priority.
Allergens Read the current label, including any warnings, and check the school or childcare setting’s rules before packing the snack. If my child needs to avoid an allergen or I’m packing something for childcare, I want to know what the product contains. For around 25% of consumers, this check is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means sugar-free

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Consenza’s gluten-free taaitaai figures contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g. Gluten-free answers a different question from sugar-free.

    To check the sugar content, look at the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients, even when the packaging says gluten-free.

  • Choosing taaitaai as an everyday snack

    Taaitaai is a biscuit. For babies and toddlers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as snacks.

    Choose one of those options for an everyday snack and, if you like, save taaitaai for a small, occasional treat.

  • Relying only on the front of the packaging

    According to the product information, the regular versions from Albert Heijn and Jumbo discussed here contain cereals with gluten and milk. The gluten-free Consenza version, in turn, lists oats and almonds/nuts.

    Read the current label and any warnings about cross-contamination. If you’re packing a snack for school or childcare, check the setting’s policy too.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Taai taai is a regular taaitaai biscuit sold in a 500 g pack; the product information lists a serving size of 11 g.

  • Albert Heijn lists the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens for this product.
  • With 39 g of sugars per 100 g, this version is not sugar-free. According to the product information, it contains cereals with gluten and milk.

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is sold in a 500 g pack; the stated serving size is 14 g.

  • Jumbo lists 5.4 g of sugars per stated 14 g serving.
  • With 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g, this version is not sugar-free. The product information lists gluten, milk, rye and wheat.

Consenza

According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Consenza Taai taai poppetjes is labelled gluten-free.

  • The gluten-free label is relevant if you’re specifically looking for gluten-free taaitaai.
  • The product contains 29 g of sugars per 100 g and lists oats and almonds/nuts. Here, gluten-free does not mean sugar-free.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is regular taaitaai sugar-free?

The regular versions discussed here are not sugar-free. According to their product information, AH Taai taai contains 39 g of sugars per 100 g, while Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes contains 38.6 g per 100 g. Always check the label of any other product.

What can I give my toddler as an everyday snack?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as snacks for babies and toddlers. If you’re looking for something for every day, these are different choices from taaitaai as an occasional biscuit.

Is gluten-free taaitaai also sugar-free?

No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the gluten-free Consenza taaitaai figures discussed here contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g. The product also lists oats and almonds/nuts, so check all the allergens relevant to your choice.

Can I pack taaitaai for school or childcare?

First check whether taaitaai is allowed under the rules of the school or childcare setting in question. Also read the current label for allergens and any warnings. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods.