Choose taaitaai that is clearly labelled as individually wrapped if each child needs their own sealed biscuit. A bag of taaitaai may be enough if the school allows you to portion it out yourself. Either way, check the label on the exact product before packing, and ask about the school’s rules on allergens and treats.
If each child is given an individually wrapped biscuit, you won’t need to hand out loose taaitaai at school. Van Delft describes its individually wrapped taaitaai figures as suitable for handing out at school.
When packing treats for a class, it’s important to check the label on the taaitaai you’ve chosen and the school’s rules. The PLUS varieties we reviewed list cereals containing gluten and milk, among other ingredients; some varieties also carry warnings about other allergens.
A bag can be handy for a larger group if individual wrappers aren’t needed. PLUS lists taaitaai in 250 g and 500 g bags; don’t assume that biscuits in a bag are individually wrapped.
First decide whether each child needs a sealed portion, then check that your chosen taaitaai meets the school’s rules on allergens and treats.
Choose this if: each child needs their own sealed biscuit.
Bear in mind: there will be individual wrappers left over after handing them out; the wrapper doesn’t change the allergens in the biscuit.
Choose this if: the school allows you to portion out the biscuits yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to portion and carry the loose biscuits; a bag isn’t necessarily a collection of individually wrapped portions.
Choose this if: you want to decide the shape and number of biscuits yourself and have time to wrap them individually.
Bear in mind: this takes extra preparation and packaging; wrapping them yourself won’t remove allergens from the ingredients or baking mix.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A sealed portion for each child | Look for the words ‘individually wrapped’ or ‘wrapped individually’ on the packaging or in the product description. | If I want to give every child a sealed biscuit, I don’t want to hand out loose biscuits at school; this individual portion is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current label; ask about the rules for the class or school. | When I’m packing treats for a class, I want to know which allergens are relevant and what I’m allowed to hand out; this is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the number of biscuits or the pack weight with the size of the group, and check the best-before date. | When buying for a group, I want to take enough biscuits without having lots left over; the quantity needed matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Small biscuits aren’t necessarily wrapped individually. The PLUS varieties we reviewed are listed in 250 g and 500 g bags.
Check that the exact product you’ve chosen is explicitly labelled ‘individually wrapped’ or ‘wrapped individually’.
A sealed wrapper doesn’t change the ingredients. The PLUS and Jumbo taaitaai we reviewed list cereals containing gluten and milk; warnings about other allergens vary by product.
Check with the school before choosing a treat, and read the full label on the product you buy.
On the page we viewed for a 500 g product, Jumbo said it was no longer part of its online range. A page like this doesn’t tell you which varieties are available to buy now.
Check the current range and packaging information at the shop where you plan to order.
Individually wrapped biscuits leave loose wrappers behind after they’ve been handed out.
Take something to collect the wrappers in, and follow the school’s and local council’s instructions for disposing of them.
Van Delft describes its taaitaai figures as suitable for handing out.
PLUS lists the taaitaai bag varieties we reviewed in 250 g and 500 g sizes.
We reviewed a listing for Jumbo’s De Originele Taai Taai in a 500 g pack.
Choose it if each child needs their own sealed biscuit under the school’s rules or for the occasion. Van Delft describes its individually wrapped taaitaai figures as handy for school; if you’re allowed to portion the biscuits out yourself, a bag may be enough.
The PLUS and Jumbo taaitaai varieties we reviewed list wheat and rye, and contain cereals with gluten. Always check the label on the exact product, as ingredients can vary between products.
Read the ingredients list, the allergens listed and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’ve bought. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens used as ingredients must be clearly shown on the label; also ask what rules the school has for the class.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. The PLUS product pages we reviewed say to store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place; if you’re buying them in advance, check the best-before date too.
Collect the wrappers and follow the school’s and local council’s instructions for disposing of them. The waste-sorting guide explains how plastic film and bags can be collected for recycling, but local collection methods may vary.
