Who is this choice for?

Parents stocking up the biscuit tin

They want to divide a family pack into small portions at home and store the rest properly once opened.

Families checking allergens

They need to compare the label of their chosen variety with the pupil’s dietary requirements and any school policies. Product information from Jumbo and PLUS lists wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients.

Parents preparing a daily lunchbox

They want to distinguish an occasional biscuit from the foods that usually go in the lunchbox. The Voedingscentrum lists fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread, among other options, for a snack.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether taaitaai will be an occasional treat and whether your chosen pack fits the pupil’s dietary requirements and the school’s policies. Then consider how many portions you want to divide it into at home.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
When it will be eaten Check the sugar per 100 g and per portion, then decide how the biscuit fits in with the rest of the lunch. If taaitaai is going to school, I want to treat it as an occasional extra, separate from the foods that go in the lunchbox every day. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Allergens and school policies Check the label of the exact variety, including any warnings about possible traces, and ask about the school’s policies. If a pupil has a relevant allergy or dietary requirement, I need to know whether this particular taaitaai is suitable before packing it. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Portions and storage Compare the net weight and any portion information provided, and check how to store the pack once opened. I want to divide a family pack into small portions at home without sending the whole bag to school. Around 21% of consumers say this is their main priority.
Seasonal availability Check shortly before you shop whether your chosen variety is available at your preferred retailer. If I want to buy a specific variety of taaitaai, I need to be able to find it in store in time. Availability is the most important factor for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a family pack is an everyday school snack

    A large bag makes it easy to pack taaitaai more often or in bigger portions. The nutritional information for the Jumbo and PLUS varieties discussed lists around 38–39 g of sugar per 100 g.

    Set aside a small portion for an occasional treat and consider it alongside the rest of the lunch. The Voedingscentrum lists fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread as snack options.

  • Checking just one allergen

    Both Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and PLUS Taai taai sint en piet list cereals containing gluten and milk. Their warnings about possible traces also matter if these are relevant to the pupil.

    Before packing, check the current packaging of the exact variety you have chosen and take account of the policies for the pupil and the school.

  • Assuming a particular variety will always be available

    ALDI includes its taaitaai in its Sinterklaas range. So, seeing a product name before doesn’t mean the pack will be available on your next shopping trip.

    Check the range at the retailer where you plan to shop. If you choose a different variety, check its label again.

Brands compared

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes comes in a 500 g pack.

  • The product information lists around 36 portions and provides nutritional and allergen information.
  • The label lists gluten, milk, rye and wheat; check the warnings about possible traces too.

PLUS

PLUS lists Taai taai sint en piet in a 500 g pack and Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken in a 250 g pack.

  • If you’d prefer to buy less, you could consider the smaller 250 g pack.
  • The product information for both varieties lists wheat, rye and milk or lactose; check the rest of the allergen information on each pack too.

ALDI

ALDI describes its 500 g Taai-taai as aniseed-flavoured biscuits in shaped forms, part of its Sinterklaas range.

  • The 500 g pack can be divided into several small portions at home.
  • Before packing it in a school lunch, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging itself.

1 de Beste (Dirk)

Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack in its product search results.

  • The product name makes both the mini size and pack weight clear.
  • Before packing, check the ingredients, allergens and storage advice on the pack you have chosen.

Bolletje

At 350 g, Bolletje Taai Taai Poppetjes comes in a smaller pack than the 500 g bags mentioned here.

  • Jumbo lists portions of around 9.5 g for this pack.
  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists cereals containing gluten, wheat, rye and milk. Also check whether the variety is available at your preferred retailer.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a pupil who needs to avoid gluten take regular taaitaai to school?

The Jumbo and PLUS varieties mentioned aren’t suitable: their product information lists cereals containing gluten, including wheat and rye. For a different variety, check the current label and information about possible cross-contamination. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease.

Should I check the secondary school’s policies?

Yes. Before packing taaitaai, ask about the food and allergy policies at the pupil’s school. The Voedingscentrum advises parents to check the secondary school’s food policy and ask the school about it.

How should I divide and store a 500 g pack?

At home, set aside the amount you want to pack and seal the rest according to the storage advice on the packaging. Jumbo lists around 36 portions of 14 g in its 500 g pack of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes; PLUS recommends storing its 500 g Taai taai sint en piet in a cool, dry, dark place.

Is taaitaai suitable as an everyday school snack?

It’s better to think of taaitaai as an occasional biscuit than a regular part of the lunchbox. The nutritional information for the Jumbo and PLUS packs discussed lists around 38–39 g of sugar per 100 g. The Voedingscentrum lists fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread, among other options, for a snack.