Only include taaitaai in your child’s school lunchbox as an occasional, small treat, and only if the school’s rules and the allergen information on the packaging allow it. Don’t use it as a replacement for their usual lunch: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products for eating at school.
If your child needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the information on the packaging you actually buy. The taaitaai described here contains wheat and rye; other allergens listed vary by product. Check the rules set by the school or class, too.
A biscuit that can be portioned out individually can be handy for an occasional school treat. Check the size of the variety you choose and wrap the portion separately.
If you’re looking for something to pack every school day, weigh up taaitaai against fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products. These are in line with the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice on food for primary school children.
Check the label and the school’s rules before packing. Then decide whether taaitaai is an occasional extra and which size will be easy to portion and store.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the current packaging. Check what rules apply at the school or in the class. | If my child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether this taaitaai is suitable and allowed at school before I pack it. For around 42% of consumers, allergens and school rules are the main consideration. |
| Its place in the daily lunch | Decide whether the biscuit is an occasional treat or a regular snack for break time. Consider what else is in the lunchbox. | If I pack food for school every day, I don’t want to use a biscuit as a substitute for the main part of lunch. Around 33% of consumers put its role in the daily lunch first. |
| Portion size and storage | Compare the weight or size of each piece, and choose packaging that you can seal properly after opening. | For an occasional school treat, I want to be able to pack a small piece and store the rest. Portion size and ease of storage matter most to around 25% of consumers. |
Bolletje lists its taaitaai figures as weighing around 9.5 g each. This can help you choose a portion, but it tells you nothing about the ingredients in another variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 71 kcal for a 20 g piece of taaitaai. If you’re comparing products, check the nutritional information for the same quantity.
Allergen information varies between taaitaai products. For example, Jumbo lists milk and soya in its Taaitaai Pop, while the varieties checked by PLUS list milk and lactose, among other allergens.
Each time you buy, read the ingredients list and any warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
A sweet biscuit has a different place in the lunchbox from the foods recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre for a school lunch, including fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products.
Put together your child’s usual lunch first, then decide whether a small piece of taaitaai would make a suitable extra under the school’s rules.
If you only pack a piece now and then, an opened pack will be in use for longer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says taaitaai can dry out and should be thrown away if mould appears.
Portion out what you need in advance, then store the rest in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed pack.
Always compare the specific pack and its current label: size and allergen information can vary between varieties.
The taaitaai figures are an example of a variety that can be portioned out individually. Jumbo lists these figures as weighing around 9.5 g each.
PLUS lists taaitaai biscuits in a 250 g bag and mini figures in a 500 g bag, among other products. Pack size is worth considering if you only want to pack a portion occasionally.
Jumbo Bakkers Taaitaai Pop, 250 g, is an example of a supermarket own-brand variety whose product information you can compare with that on other packs.
No, don’t assume it’s allowed. Schools may have their own rules about food and treats, so check the school’s information or ask the teacher before packing taaitaai.
Check the label on the pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods and clearly identified in the ingredients list. Check any warnings for the variety you’ve chosen, too.
Don’t assume it is: the Jumbo, Bolletje and PLUS varieties mentioned list wheat or rye. If you need to avoid cereals containing gluten, check the current allergen information for the specific product you plan to buy.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing taaitaai in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed pack. Check it’s still in good condition before packing another portion, and throw it away if you see mould.
