Is sugar-free a must for the taaitaai biscuits you serve at Christmas dinner? If so, only choose a product whose current packaging carries the ‘sugar-free’ claim and states that it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This limit comes from the EU rules on nutrition claims in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Don’t assume that regular, gluten-free or homemade taaitaai is sugar-free. Before choosing an option for your guests, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information too.
You want taaitaai biscuits to enjoy with coffee or serve as part of Christmas dinner, and you know the difference between ‘sugar-free’, ‘reduced sugar’ and ‘no added sugars’. The claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g are what matter most to you.
You look beyond the front of the pack and check the carbohydrates, sugars and size of the portion you plan to serve.
You’re choosing for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, allergens or sweeteners. To do that, you’ll need the information on the packaging of the product you buy.
First decide whether sugar-free is a must. Then you can weigh up whether packaged taaitaai, a regular version or an adapted recipe is right for your Christmas dinner.
When: choose this option if sugar-free is a must and the current packaging confirms both the claim and a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Bear in mind: the claim alone tells you nothing about total carbohydrates, portion size or allergens.
When: this may be an option if sugar-free isn’t essential and you’re happy to serve a portion of regular taaitaai.
Bear in mind: don’t present this as sugar-free unless the current packaging carries an appropriate claim and nutritional information.
When: baking it yourself lets you choose the ingredients and portions for your Christmas dinner.
Bear in mind: an adapted recipe isn’t automatically sugar-free; the finished product must also meet the limit for that claim.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Check for the ‘sugar-free’ claim and a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this is the limit for the claim. | I want to serve taaitaai that can genuinely be described as sugar-free, not just a version with a different sugar claim. For around 36% of consumers, this is the most important requirement. |
| Carbohydrates and portion size | Compare the carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll serve per portion. | If I keep track of carbohydrates, I want to know what a portion of taaitaai adds to my meal. For around 29% of consumers, carbohydrates and portion size come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check whether the packaging carries a warning about polyols. | I want to be able to check which ingredients and sweeteners are in the taaitaai I serve my guests. Around 21% of consumers give this their top priority. |
| Availability | Before planning your menu, check the packaging of the specific product and whether the taaitaai you want is available. | I don’t want to count on a particular product for Christmas dinner without knowing whether I can buy it. For around 14% of consumers, this practical certainty is the main concern. |
A product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Under the EU rules on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ has a separate limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
If sugar-free is essential for your choice, check the exact claim and the product’s nutrition table.
Gluten-free describes a different property. A homemade recipe without granulated sugar can still contain ingredients that contribute sugars; for example, recipes from Albert Heijn and Jumbo use honey or soft brown sugar.
Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific taaitaai. Don’t describe an adapted recipe as ‘sugar-free’ unless you can substantiate the claim for the finished product.
Some products containing sweeteners also contain polyols. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that if more than 10% added polyols are present, the label carries a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.
Read the ingredients and warnings before serving the taaitaai, especially if this is relevant to one of your guests.
Taaitaai and the information on product pages can vary from one product to another and over time. A listing for regular taaitaai or sugar-free sweets tells you nothing about the sugar claim for a specific taaitaai product.
Check the product you plan to buy shortly before purchasing, and have a suitable alternative ready that you can describe accurately.
These listings can help you tell the difference between regular taaitaai, gluten-free versions and a genuine sugar-free claim. Always check the packaging of the specific product before making your choice.
Albert Heijn lists AH taaitaai and Bolletje taaitaai, as well as separate gluten-free taaitaai products.
Jumbo lists, among other products, 500 g packs of taaitaai figures, a 250 g taaitaai figure and 350 g packs of Bolletje taaitaai.
PLUS lists taaitaai in a 500 g pack and artisan taaitaai in a 250 g pack.
ALDI lists a 500 g pack of Taai-taai.
Under the EU rules on nutrition claims in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a food can carry this claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. For packaged taaitaai, check the claim and nutrition table on the product you’re buying.
No. Taaitaai with no added sugars can still contain sugars. Under the EU rules on nutrition claims, ‘sugar-free’ has its own limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
No. The ‘sugar-free’ claim relates to sugars, not the total amount of carbohydrates or the size of a portion. To check those, compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the portion you plan to serve.
Read the ingredients list and check for any warning on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that foods with more than 10% added polyols carry a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
No. Ingredients and allergen information can change. Before serving the taaitaai, check the packaging of the product you actually bought.
