When choosing Taaitaai for after school, don’t rely on the words ‘lower sugar’ alone. Compare the sugars per 100 g and the amount per portion in similar products. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists 36 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g for three standard varieties. Also check the current label for allergens, and ask about the school or after-school club’s policy before sending Taaitaai in with your child.
When comparing similar Taaitaai products, you want to look at their sugars per 100 g side by side, then check how much a portion contains. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo provides figures for individual varieties.
You want to know which allergens are listed on the packaging and whether Taaitaai is suitable under your school or after-school club’s rules. Also check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
You’re looking for a clearly defined occasion to enjoy a seasonal biscuit after school. The stated portion size can help you choose how much to serve; for everyday snacks, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends fruit and vegetables.
Start with the current label: the sugar level, allergens and portion size each answer a different question about Taaitaai for after school.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g across Taaitaai products, then check the stated portion. | If I’m looking for a variety with less sugar, I want to compare products on the same basis. An estimated 42% of consumers put this sugar comparison first. |
| Allergens and school policy | Read ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the current label; ask the school or after-school club what rules apply. | If I want to send Taaitaai in with my child, I need to know whether the ingredients and possible allergens are suitable for the child and the setting. An estimated 33% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Portion and treat occasion | Check the portion size on the packaging and decide in advance how much Taaitaai you want to give. | If you want to offer a seasonal biscuit after school, you can decide on an amount and an occasion first. For an estimated 25% of consumers, the portion for a treat matters most. |
Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists 36 g, 38.6 g and 39 g of sugars per 100 g for three standard Taaitaai varieties. These differences between products do not prove that a product meets the requirements for the ‘reduced sugar’ nutrition claim.
First compare the same value on the label per 100 g, then check separately which claim actually appears on the packaging.
Gluten-free tells you nothing about the sugar level or other allergens. The Albert Heijn listing for Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij names milk and lupin, and warns of the possible presence of egg, nuts and sesame.
Check the current packaging for every allergen relevant to your child, even if the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.
A lower sugar level within the Taaitaai category doesn’t change the place a biscuit should have in your everyday snack choices. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks for children.
If you want to give your child Taaitaai, choose a treat occasion and portion in advance rather than automatically packing it for every school day.
AH Taai taai is a supermarket own-brand variety in a 350 g pack; the product information gives a portion size of 14 g.
Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is an own-brand product in a 500 g pack, with a stated portion size of 14 g.
Bolletje Taai Taai comes in the shape of little figures; the Albert Heijn product listing stated that each one weighed around 9.5 g.
The Albert Heijn listing for Maître Mathis Taai taai was for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.
No. A small difference between Taaitaai products isn’t enough to prove this. Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 requires, among other things, that a product making a ‘reduced sugar’ claim contains at least 30% less sugar than a comparable product. You should also check that the other requirements for the claim are met.
A lower sugar level within the Taaitaai category doesn’t automatically make a biscuit a good choice for every school day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks for children; if you want to offer Taaitaai as a treat, decide on the portion in advance.
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo product listings name cereals containing gluten, including wheat and rye, for the standard AH, Bolletje and Jumbo varieties discussed here. Always read the current label on your chosen pack before sending it in with your child.
Not necessarily: the Albert Heijn listing for Maître Mathis Taai taai glutenvrij stated 41 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 36 to 39 g for the three standard varieties discussed here. Compare sugar levels and allergens separately on the current packaging.
