If you want to hand out something to eat, first decide whether you’re looking for taaitaai or chocolate. If you’re buying a gift for one person, a box of chocolates may be a better fit. Then compare products within your chosen category by quantity, allergens and storage instructions. A chocolate assortment, pralines and a wafer product aren’t automatically comparable sharing packs.
If you’re buying for festival-goers, you’ll want to know how much is in a pack, how you can portion it out and how to store it before handing it out. Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows that pack sizes and stated portions vary between taaitaai products.
If you’re buying for people with different dietary needs, check the label on the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) notes that prepacked foods must display allergen information on the label.
A pack of taaitaai to share and a box of chocolates to give as a gift don’t necessarily serve the same purpose. So first decide who you’re buying for and whether you want to hand out the contents there and then.
First choose between a treat to share and a gift. Only then does it make sense to compare the contents, label and storage instructions of individual products.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Product type and purpose | Decide whether you want to hand out taaitaai or give chocolate as a gift, then compare products of the same type. | I want to avoid buying a gift when what I really need is something for festival-goers. For around 36% of consumers, choosing between product types comes first. |
| Allergens | Check the current packaging for ingredients, declared allergens and any warnings about possible traces. | If I’m buying for a group, I want to know which products I can responsibly offer to people who need to avoid certain ingredients. Allergens are the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity and portions | Compare the net weight with the expected number of people, and check whether the product states the number of portions. | I want to take enough to hand out without applying one brand’s portion information to other packs. Portioning matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and shelf life | Read the storage instructions and date on the packaging, and check that the pack is intact. | If I’m shopping in advance, I want to be able to store the product until the festival in line with the label. This is the most important consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
The product information reviewed from Jumbo and Albert Heijn lists different ingredients and warnings for each item. A brand name or product photo won’t tell you what’s on the label of the pack you have.
Check the label on the exact product before buying and handing it out, especially if you’re shopping for people with known allergies.
The product pages for Jumbo Bakkers Taaitaai Pop and Bolletje taai taai at Albert Heijn stated that those items were no longer available online or had been discontinued. That doesn’t confirm that you can buy the product now.
Check the current status with the shop where you plan to order, and choose an alternative in the same product category if needed.
Finding an alternative may take extra preparation time.
You can’t necessarily compare a sharing pack of biscuits and a chocolate gift by portion size or presentation. You could end up choosing a product that isn’t right for the recipient or the occasion.
First decide whether you’re treating festival-goers or giving someone a gift. Then check the features of products in that category.
For Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes, Jumbo lists a 500 g pack with around 36 portions. That’s a useful point of reference if you want to hand out taaitaai, but it isn’t a standard portion size for this type of product.
Albert Heijn’s product page describes Bolletje taai taai as a 350 g pack with around 37 portions of approximately 9.5 g each.
These products suit the choice of chocolate to share or give as a gift. The selection includes different product types, such as a chocolate assortment, pralines and a KitKat wafer product; they aren’t taaitaai products or identical boxes of chocolates. Check the label on each item before offering it to festival-goers.
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A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to offer a selection to several people. The pack contains 143 g; check the label to see what’s included and which allergens are listed.
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A chocolate collection to consider as a small gift. The pack contains 125 g; check the current ingredients and allergen information if the recipient avoids certain ingredients.
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A wafer product with nine pieces, for anyone who wants to know in advance how many there are to share; it isn’t a box of pralines. Check the packaging for allergens and storage instructions, especially if you’ll be taking it outside.
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Pralines with a milk cream filling to consider as a chocolate gift. The pack contains 110 g; check the label for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
Yes, check the label on the exact pack before handing out the product. The NVWA states that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods; don’t rely solely on the product name or an earlier online description.
No, check each product and its current packaging. The Jumbo and Bolletje taaitaai products described list cereals containing gluten and milk; warnings about possible traces can also vary between products.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. Jumbo’s product information gives different instructions for two separate taaitaai products, including keeping them tightly sealed and in a dark place, or storing them in a cool, dry place.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘best before’ date relates to quality up to and including that date. Also read the storage instructions and check which type of date is shown on the product; don’t take a best-before date to mean that every product is automatically suitable to hand out after that date.
