Don’t choose regular taai-taai if sugar-free is a must: the products listed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain 38.594 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g, while EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. If your main aim is to have less sugar during a study break, compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the portion size and allergens. If sugar-free is non-negotiable, consider a different type of snack and check its claim and label.
You only want to consider a snack for your study break if it meets the requirements for a ‘sugar-free’ claim. The regular taai-taai listed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS doesn’t meet them, so a different type of snack may be an option.
You don’t necessarily need a sugar-free product, but you do want to see how much sugar different snacks contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as manufacturers set their own portion sizes.
Start by checking the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. A gluten-free option isn’t automatically sugar-free: the Consenza Taai taai poppetjes listed by Albert Heijn contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g and include oats and almonds, among other ingredients.
First decide whether sugar-free is a must. If it isn’t, compare the sugar levels of similar snacks, then consider which allergens and portion size matter to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Truly sugar-free | Check both the claim and the sugar value per 100 g. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, a solid food carrying a ‘sugar-free’ claim may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I only want a sugar-free snack while studying, regular taai-taai is out. For around 37% of consumers, this strict requirement would come first. |
| Less sugar | Compare similar products by their sugar content per 100 g; don’t rely solely on the values for the portion size chosen by the manufacturer. | I want to be able to choose taai-taai or another snack by comparing like-for-like sugar values. For around 27% of consumers, this comparison would be the main consideration. |
| Allergens and gluten | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statements. Check the sugar content of gluten-free products separately. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, the label determines which products I can consider. For around 18% of consumers, this restriction would matter most. |
| Portion size | Check the stated portion size alongside the nutritional information per 100 g and decide how much you want to have during one study break. | For a short break, I want to be able to choose a convenient amount and keep the rest for later. For around 18% of consumers, a manageable portion would come first. |
The gluten-free Consenza Taai taai poppetjes listed by Albert Heijn contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g. A gluten-free label therefore tells you nothing about the sugar content of that product.
If you’re looking for a sugar-free option, check the separate claim and the sugar value per 100 g.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own portion sizes. This means that two values per portion aren’t necessarily directly comparable.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then use the portion information to decide how much you want to have.
The regular taai-taai listed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contains 38.594 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g. These products therefore don’t meet the EU threshold for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
If sugar-free is your priority, look at a different type of snack and check its claim and nutritional information table too.
The regular taai-taai listed contains cereals containing gluten and milk, among other ingredients; the gluten-free Consenza option listed includes oats and almonds, among other ingredients.
Before eating, check the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve actually chosen.
When comparing taai-taai, check the information for the specific product, not just the shop name: sugar values, ingredients and allergens can vary between options.
Albert Heijn lists regular AH Taai taai in 350 g and 500 g packs, as well as a 125 g gluten-free Consenza option.
Jumbo lists 500 g packs of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes, with nutritional information per 100 g.
PLUS lists 250 g packs of Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, with nutritional information per 100 g.
ALDI lists taai-taai in a 500 g pack.
Dirk lists the product 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g.
Lidl Recepten has a recipe for mini taai-taai.
These are different types of snack from taai-taai. Consider them only if you’re willing to choose something other than taai-taai to find a product labelled sugar-free; before buying, check the nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
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Honey liquorice for anyone looking for a different type of snack from taai-taai while studying. Check the sugar content per 100 g and allergens on the packaging; the product information warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
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Consider this product only if it’s a suitable alternative to taai-taai for you. The product title says biscuits, while the description also mentions liquorice, so check the product type, flavour, sugar content per 100 g and allergens on the packaging before choosing.
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Mint liquorice for anyone who’d prefer a different type of snack from taai-taai during a study break. Check the sugar content per 100 g and allergens on the packaging; according to the product information, excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, taai-taai can only carry a ‘sugar-free’ claim if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the claim and nutritional information table for the product you want to buy.
No, not the products listed: Albert Heijn states 39 g, Jumbo 38.6 g and PLUS 38.594 g of sugars per 100 g. These values are above the EU threshold for a ‘sugar-free’ claim.
No. The gluten-free Consenza Taai taai poppetjes listed by Albert Heijn contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g. So compare gluten and sugar as separate properties, and if you have an allergy, check the other allergen information too.
First compare the values per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers choose their own portion sizes; use the value per portion afterwards to work out how much you want to have during a study break.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The regular taai-taai listed contains cereals containing gluten and milk, among other ingredients, while the gluten-free Consenza option listed includes oats and almonds, among other ingredients; the ingredients can vary in other options.
