Hosts who want to verify a Fairtrade claim
You want to know which product the claim applies to. Check the packaging of the taaitaai itself, or choose a separate cocoa or chocolate product that is explicitly labelled Fairtrade.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Taaitaai fans who enjoy it with coffee
You’re mainly looking for a biscuit to share with friends. Check the pack size and ingredients; for example, the product information for PLUS Taai taai sint en piet lists wheat and rye flour.
Hosts who need to consider allergens
Before serving, you want to check whether the taaitaai and any chocolate are suitable for guests who need to avoid certain ingredients. Read the current labels on both products, even if you’ve bought them before.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the Fairtrade claim needs to be on the taaitaai itself, or whether a separate cocoa or chocolate product alongside your coffee will do. Then consider what’s easy to serve and which ingredients matter to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Look for the claim on the exact product and check the packaging too. A claim for cocoa or chocolate does not automatically apply to taaitaai. | If I want to serve Fairtrade, I want to be able to point out which product bears the claim; for around 42% of consumers, being able to verify it matters most. |
| Serving with coffee | Check the pack size and decide whether to serve taaitaai on its own or with separate chocolate or prepared cocoa. | When friends come round, I want to share a treat that suits our coffee break; around 33% of consumers give this priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on every pack, including any warnings about traces. If you have leftovers, check the storage advice too. | When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in both the biscuit and anything served alongside it; around 25% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming Fairtrade chocolate means Fairtrade taaitaai
Fairtrade International’s cocoa standard applies to cocoa and processed cocoa products. A claim on separate chocolate tells you nothing about the taaitaai you serve with it.
Keep the products and their claims separate. If you specifically want Fairtrade taaitaai, check that the claim appears on the biscuit’s own packaging.
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Applying a supermarket’s general claim to every biscuit
PLUS describes its own-brand products containing cocoa as using Fairtrade cocoa. That doesn’t automatically make a separate taaitaai product one with a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
Compare the exact product name and ingredients with the claim on the pack you’re buying. Albert Heijn also points out that product information can change.
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Reading only the taaitaai label
If you also serve chocolate or cocoa, you’re adding a second product with its own ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly labelled on prepacked foods.
Ask your guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, and read the labels on all the products you’re serving before you put them out.
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Forgetting about leftover taaitaai
If the pack is bigger than you need for your coffee break, you’ll also need somewhere to store the leftovers.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping taaitaai in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Also follow the instructions on the packaging.
Brands to consider
These retailers provide product information that you can use to compare taaitaai or separate cocoa products. Always assess a Fairtrade claim product by product, not by retailer.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has a product listing for AH Taai taai.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as ingredients, nutrition and allergen information can change.
- The product listing for AH Taai taai does not, by itself, justify calling this biscuit Fairtrade.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists De Originele Taai Taai 500 g and, separately, Fairtrade Original Cacao Poeder 125 g.
- For the cocoa powder, Jumbo states that the cocoa was sourced on Fairtrade terms under the mass balance principle.
- That cocoa claim does not apply to Jumbo De Originele Taai Taai.
PLUS
PLUS provides product information for taaitaai and also lists separate chocolate with a Fairtrade cocoa claim.
- The ingredients list for PLUS Taai taai sint en piet includes wheat and rye flour, among other ingredients; the chocolate page mentions Fairtrade cocoa.
- The claim for the chocolate must not be applied to the taaitaai.
Cocoa product at Joybuy
This cocoa powder suits the option of preparing a separate cocoa drink or using cocoa in a bake alongside your taaitaai. It isn’t taaitaai, and a Fairtrade claim for the cocoa powder does not change the status of the biscuit.
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Fairtrade cocoa powder 125 g
For anyone who’d like to make hot chocolate or use cocoa in a bake to serve alongside taaitaai.
The product name says Fairtrade; check the claim and the current allergen information on the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fairtrade chocolate the same as Fairtrade taaitaai?
No. A Fairtrade claim on chocolate does not automatically apply to a separate pack of taaitaai. Fairtrade International’s cocoa standard covers cocoa and processed cocoa products, so check the claim on the product you’re actually serving.
Which allergens should I check when serving taaitaai to guests?
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. PLUS lists wheat and rye flour, among other ingredients, in its Taai taai sint en piet; if you’re serving chocolate too, check the label on that separate pack as well.
Should I also check for a warning about possible traces?
Yes, check any warning about possible cross-contamination if it’s relevant to your guests. Look for it on the specific pack alongside the ingredients list, rather than relying on information about another product.
How should I store taaitaai left over after coffee?
Store leftover taaitaai in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also check the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging.