A 250 g bag is a good choice if you want to keep a smaller supply; you can divide a 500 g bag between several lunchboxes at home. A 2-pack can be handy if you want to use the two units separately, but check how they’re packaged. Before packing, read the current label and check your school or after-school club’s rules: the PLUS varieties reviewed contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose. Offer taaitaai as a small treat from time to time, not instead of a regular lunch.
For anyone who only packs taaitaai after checking the label and the rules at school or their child’s after-school club. The PLUS taaitaai in the 250 g and 500 g sizes reviewed lists wheat, rye, cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose.
For households choosing between a smaller supply, a sharing bag or a 2-pack. The brands mentioned offer 250 g and 500 g bags; Albert Heijn also lists an AH Taai taai 2-pack.
For anyone who wants to pack a small portion now and then, without making it the usual snack or lunch. For school lunches, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends including foods such as vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products, and keeping sweet treats small.
Start with the label and the rules at school or your child’s after-school club. Then choose a size that suits the number of lunchboxes and the portion you want to pack.
When: if you want to open a smaller supply for one child or a few lunches.
Trade-off: there’s less taaitaai to share between several children or occasions than with a 500 g bag.
When: if several children will share the same supply or you’re preparing portions at home for different occasions.
Trade-off: a large bag doesn’t determine how much goes into one lunchbox; portion out the amount you want in advance.
When: if you want to use the two units on separate occasions.
Trade-off: check the pack to see how much it contains and whether the units are individually wrapped.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the current pack. Check the rules at your child’s school or after-school club. | If my child needs to avoid something or the class has rules about food brought in, I want to know before choosing a pack. For around 42% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare the net weight and product format. For a 2-pack, check how the individual units are packaged; if you’ll use it over several days, read the storage instructions. | I want to prepare the right amount for different lunchboxes without opening more than necessary at once. Around 33% of consumers prioritise portioning. |
| Alongside a regular lunch | Check the nutritional information per 100 g and decide at home what small portion you want to pack. | I’m happy to pack a sweet biscuit now and then, but not as a replacement for fruit, vegetables or a regular lunch. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
A familiar name or a pack you’ve bought before doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are listed on the current packaging. The PLUS varieties mentioned list wheat, rye, cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose.
Before packing, check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the exact pack you’re using.
A 500 g bag, even one containing small taaitaai shapes, doesn’t tell you whether the biscuits are individually wrapped or how much is right for one lunchbox.
At home, portion out the amount you want into a clean, tightly sealed container. If you’ll use the bag again later, check the storage instructions too.
Taaitaai is a sweet biscuit. When it comes to food for school, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises foods such as vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products, and recommends keeping sweet treats to a small portion.
Keep a regular lunch as the priority and pack taaitaai only as a small treat from time to time.
PLUS lists taaitaai in a 250 g bag and a 500 g variety, so you can compare both sizes from the same brand.
Jumbo lists its own-brand taaitaai in a 250 g pack and several 500 g products, including Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes.
Albert Heijn lists an AH Taai taai 2-pack as an option if you want to compare two units with a bag.
Jumbo lists Bolletje Taai Taai Poppetjes 350 g as a size between the 250 g and 500 g bags mentioned.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g as a large bag of small taaitaai biscuits.
First check the specific product and the rules at school or your child’s after-school club; the PLUS varieties mentioned contain wheat, rye and cereals containing gluten. Don’t rely on the name ‘taaitaai’ or information from a pack you bought previously.
A 500 g bag is one option if you’re preparing small portions at home for several children. A 250 g bag is better if you want a smaller supply; for a 2-pack, check the packaging to make sure you can use the units as planned.
It’s better to offer taaitaai as a small treat from time to time rather than making it the basis of lunch. For school, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods such as vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products, and advises keeping sweet treats small.
Ingredients and allergy information can change. Albert Heijn advises checking this information on the packaging, so read the label on the pack you’re actually using.
