If sugar-free is essential for your autumn half-term snack, only choose packaged taaitaai if its nutrition table lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets this limit for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. The regular varieties listed by Jumbo and PLUS each contain around 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g, so they don’t meet the requirement. Baking your own gives you more control over the ingredients, but the sugar content of the finished product still determines whether the taaitaai meets the requirement.
You want to know how much sugar the taaitaai contains per 100 g, whatever the wording on the front of the packet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods.
You’re after a ready-to-eat snack for an outing or a moment together, and regular taaitaai is fine. If so, check the serving size, ingredients and allergens too. Jumbo and PLUS are among the retailers that list these products in their ranges.
You want to decide for yourself which ingredients and sweeteners to use. A recipe gives you that choice, but its title alone won’t tell you how much sugar the baked taaitaai contains per 100 g.
Best for: You want a ready-to-eat snack and sugar-free isn’t essential.
The trade-off: Jumbo and PLUS each list around 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the regular varieties mentioned.
Best for: You want to choose the ingredients and sweetener yourself.
The trade-off: Baking takes time to prepare. Even a recipe with no added sugar doesn’t prove that the finished product is sugar-free.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Verified sugar-free | Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘sugar-free’ claim on solid foods. | If sugar-free is essential for me, I don’t want to rely on a small serving size or the name of a recipe. This requirement is the deciding factor for an estimated 50% of consumers. |
| Convenience and sharing | Check the pack weight, serving size and ingredients of the taaitaai you choose. | For an outing, I want something ready to eat and share, and regular taaitaai is fine. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Choice of ingredients | Read the allergen information for packaged taaitaai, or check every ingredient in a recipe, including the sweetener. | If I want to choose the ingredients myself because of allergens or a particular sweetener, I’m happy to do the baking. An estimated 20% of consumers put that control first. |
Ingredients such as honey and syrup can also contribute sugars. A statement about the type of sugar used doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains overall.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with the limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets for ‘sugar-free’.
A smaller serving may contain less sugar, even when the sugar content per 100 g remains high. So serving size isn’t a substitute for comparing products.
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g, then decide how much you want to serve.
According to their product information, the regular taaitaai varieties mentioned from Jumbo and PLUS contain cereals containing gluten and milk. PLUS also lists possible traces of egg and nuts, among other things.
Always read the latest allergen information on each packet. If you’re baking your own, check the individual ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Taai taai.
Jumbo lists Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack.
PLUS lists Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken in a 250 g bag.
ALDI lists regular anise-flavoured taai-taai in a 500 g pack.
Dirk lists regular mini-taaitaai in a 500 g pack.
Lidl is one of the supermarkets you could visit while doing your autumn half-term food shop.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a solid food can be called ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table per 100 g. ‘Less sugar’ or ‘no refined sugar’ doesn’t mean the same thing on its own.
No, not the regular varieties mentioned here. Jumbo lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes, while PLUS lists 38.594 g per 100 g for Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken. Always check the latest packaging for the variety you choose when you buy it.
No. Choosing a sweetener or a recipe with no added sugar doesn’t tell you how much sugar all the ingredients contribute to the finished product. Check the ingredients and assess the nutrition per 100 g of the baked taaitaai.
Read the allergen information for the product you’re actually buying, or for each ingredient you use when baking. According to their product information, the regular varieties mentioned from Jumbo and PLUS contain cereals containing gluten and milk. PLUS also lists possible traces of egg and nuts, among other things.
