If every conference attendee needs to be able to pick up one sealed snack, only choose taaitaai if you have confirmed that the selected variety is individually wrapped, or opt for a different individually wrapped product. The taaitaai products described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI come in bags or as figures intended to serve more than one person. Taaitaai from this type of packaging is better suited to staffed serving, with the label kept to hand so attendees can check the allergen information.
If every attendee needs to be able to pick up one sealed snack, the packaging makes all the difference. The taaitaai products described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI come in multi-portion packs or as figures; a bag is not the same as individually wrapped portions.
When serving from a bag, it must be clear which ingredients and allergens apply to the product being served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
If someone is handing out the snacks, a multi-portion bag may be suitable. Check the quantity, storage instructions and label of the product you choose in advance, and keep the original packaging available while serving.
Suitable for: a staffed coffee break where someone hands out the portions and keeps the label available.
The trade-off: the bag does not provide a sealed snack for each attendee, so portions need to be prepared on site.
Suitable for: self-service where every attendee needs to be able to pick up one sealed portion.
The trade-off: another product will not necessarily taste like taaitaai; check the packaging and label of the snack you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed portions | Check whether each piece is individually wrapped and how many pieces are in the pack. | For self-service, I want every attendee to be able to pick up one sealed snack without anyone having to portion it out. Individual serving is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Check the current label for the exact variety, including any statements about the possible presence of allergens. | If taaitaai is served from its original bag, I still want to be able to tell attendees which allergens the product contains. This is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the number of portions you need with the pack contents, and read the storage instructions for after opening. | For a small, staffed gathering, I want to avoid opening more than is practical and store any leftovers according to the label. Around 25% of consumers put this consideration first. |
The taaitaai products described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI come in packs ranging from 250 g to 500 g, containing multiple portions or figures. This does not mean every attendee will get a sealed piece.
Before ordering, check whether the variety you have chosen comes in individual wrappers. Otherwise, plan to serve a standard bag with someone on hand.
Serving from a bag also takes time and materials to prepare the portions.
Ingredients and statements about the possible presence of allergens vary from product to product. The label for one variety therefore does not tell you enough about another.
Use the current label for the exact pack you are serving, and check it again if you switch varieties.
When snacks are served loose, attendees cannot automatically check the information on the original bag.
Keep the allergen information for the product being served readily available at the serving point.
Albert Heijn describes Bolletje taai taai as a 350 g pack, with a portion of around 9.5 g per piece.
Jumbo describes 500 g bags of taaitaai figures and a 250 g taaitaai doll.
PLUS describes mini taaitaai in a 500 g bag and taaitaai biscuits in a 250 g bag.
ALDI Netherlands describes 500 g packs of figure-shaped taai-taai with aniseed flavour.
Yes, as long as you organise the serving and make the allergen information for that exact product available to attendees. Keep the original packaging at the serving point so that information about another variety is not mistaken for it.
Do not rely on the product name when making that decision. The varieties described by Bolletje, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye, milk or milk protein. Check the current label for the exact pack, including any statements about the possible presence of other allergens.
Follow the instructions on the label for the variety you have chosen. For the products it describes, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry place or sealing the bag well after opening and keeping it somewhere dark; PLUS recommends cool, dry and dark storage.
