Choose taaitaai with chocolate for the school fair only if the packaging for that exact variety confirms that the chocolate or cocoa used is Fairtrade-certified. A supermarket’s Fairtrade range doesn’t prove that the taaitaai is Fairtrade-certified. Before packing it up, check the latest allergen information and the school’s policy too; taaitaai made with wheat or rye isn’t gluten-free.
If Fairtrade-certified chocolate is a requirement, you’ll need a claim that applies to the exact taaitaai product. Information about a Fairtrade range from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, ALDI or Lidl isn’t enough.
You’ll want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed on the latest packaging before handing it out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label. PLUS lists wheat, rye and milk protein among the ingredients in its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken.
You’re comparing pack sizes and deciding how to hand out the taaitaai. ALDI and Dirk show examples of 500 g packs; check the packaging and the number of portions you can use when you buy it.
First decide whether Fairtrade-certified chocolate is a requirement. Then check the allergen information on each pack you’re considering, and think about how you’ll hand out the taaitaai at school.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade chocolate or cocoa | Check the ingredients and look for an explicit Fairtrade claim for the chocolate or cocoa on the exact variety. | I need to be able to verify the Fairtrade requirement for the taaitaai we’re selling. This evidence is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Gluten and other allergens | Read the latest ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings; make sure your choice complies with the school’s policy. | If children with allergies are taking part, I want to know what information I can share before packing the products. Allergens are the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Packaging and quantity | Compare the net weight and check whether the number of pieces suits the way you plan to hand them out. | I need to be able to plan enough individual portions without losing access to the product information. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
A supermarket may sell Fairtrade chocolate without the chocolate in a particular taaitaai product being Fairtrade-certified. The product name ‘milk chocolate’ doesn’t tell you anything about its certification either.
Check the ingredients and the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or in the latest product information for the exact variety you’re buying.
Taaitaai may contain gluten-containing cereals and other allergens. PLUS lists wheat, rye and milk protein in its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, and warns that they may also contain barley, oats, egg, almonds and hazelnuts.
Check the label before you buy and again before packing the products. Ask the school what information needs to be kept available and whether you need a separate alternative clearly labelled as gluten-free.
A 500 g pack doesn’t tell you how many individual portions you can make. Once you open the original packaging, customers no longer have the information on it readily available.
Check the physical packaging and keep the ingredients and allergen information clearly available when handing out individual pieces of taaitaai.
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Taai taai; Fairtrade Nederland also cites AH chocolate as an example from its Fairtrade range.
Jumbo lists Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250 g and also has a Fairtrade range.
PLUS lists ingredients and allergens for its 250 g Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken.
ALDI lists 500 g taai-taai. Fairtrade Nederland separately describes chocolate in ALDI’s range.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, 500 g.
Fairtrade Nederland describes Lidl Way To Go! chocolate bars as a separate chocolate range.
No: taaitaai made with wheat or rye isn’t gluten-free. PLUS lists both cereals in its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken. If you need a gluten-free option, look for an alternative clearly labelled as gluten-free and check the latest packaging.
No. A range page doesn’t tell you whether the chocolate or cocoa in your variety of taaitaai is Fairtrade-certified. Check the packaging or the latest product information for that exact variety.
Keep the information from the original packaging clearly available for customers, and discuss your distribution plan with the school in advance. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods appears on the label, so don’t put it away once you’ve opened the pack.
Yes. Check the latest packaging for warnings about the possible presence of allergens too. For example, PLUS says its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken may contain almonds and hazelnuts. If someone has a relevant allergy, discuss your choice with the school and the parents concerned.
