Buyers stocking a shared platter
You want to put out a treat that colleagues can help themselves to easily. The number of portions, the packaging and a clear label can all help you choose for a mixed team.
Who is this choice relevant for?
People buying a small team gift
You’re looking for a box to give as a thank-you or farewell gift, where presentation and how it will be handed out both matter.
Buyers catering for someone who eats gluten-free
You need a product that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Even with this type of product, it’s important to check the other ingredients and allergens.
What should you consider when choosing?
Let the occasion guide your first choice: a platter of taaitaai is ideal for an informal break, while a box of chocolates with individually wrapped pieces works well as a thank-you or for a planned treat. Then check the exact packaging for allergens, quantity and nutritional information.
Taaitaai
When: for an informal, seasonal biscuit treat on a shared platter.
Consider: if someone needs a gluten-free option, don’t assume the whole product category is suitable. Choose a variant explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Box of chocolates
When: when the treat is also a thank-you or farewell gift; according to its product page, the Merci Gift Box at Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped bars.
Consider: not every box of chocolates has the same format for sharing or the same allergen profile.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and warnings on the exact pack. Check for a gluten-free label if needed. | If a colleague needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know before handing out the treats which pack is suitable for them. For around 40% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Sharing and gifting | Check the number of pieces or portions, whether they’re individually wrapped and how the box is presented. | For a thank-you, I want to be able to give or share the treat in a way that suits the team occasion. This is the main consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portions and nutritional information | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the weight per portion or piece. | When I regularly put out snacks at the office, I want to understand what each piece contains. Around 20% of consumers give this top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every product in a category has the same allergen profile
Taaitaai and boxes of chocolates vary by recipe and packaging. Even two products in the same category can list different ingredients or warnings.
Just before buying and handing out the treats, read the label on the product you’ve actually chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
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Assuming a gluten-free label means allergen-free
A gluten-free label answers the question about gluten; it doesn’t automatically rule out other ingredients a colleague may need to avoid.
As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the full ingredients and allergen information for the taaitaai you’ve chosen.
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Comparing only the size of the box
Packaging alone doesn’t tell you how many colleagues you can offer a treat to. Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai as containing 25 portions; according to its product page, the Merci Gift Box contains 32 individually wrapped bars.
Compare the number of pieces or portions available to share, the weight and the type of presentation you want.
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Giving the front of the pack more weight than the nutritional information
A description on the front doesn’t show how the nutritional values of two differently packaged products compare.
Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g first, then checking the portion size on the label.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
A taaitaai option for a seasonal biscuit treat.
- The Bolletje taai taai reviewed is intended to be shared as a biscuit.
- The product information at Albert Heijn says this taaitaai is made in a bakery that also processes peanuts and soya.
Merci
A box of chocolates that could suit a thank-you or gift-giving occasion.
- According to Albert Heijn, the Merci Gift Box contains 32 individually wrapped bars.
- Check the allergens on the current packaging before sharing this box with a mixed team.
Consenza
A taaitaai option for occasions when you need a gluten-free choice.
- Albert Heijn describes the Consenza Taai taai poppetjes reviewed as gluten-free and organic.
- A gluten-free label doesn’t replace the need to check other ingredients and allergens.
Celebrations
A chocolate mix that the manufacturer presents as a sharing pack.
- The assortment is well suited to a team occasion where you’re sharing different chocolates.
- With a mixed selection, don’t assume every piece has the same allergen profile. Check the packaging of the assortment you choose.
Chocolate products for an office occasion
These Joybuy products are chocolate options for a small thank-you or an informal sharing occasion. Check the number of pieces to share and the allergens on each pack. Multi-packs aren’t necessarily gift boxes with individually wrapped pieces.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A box of chocolates for a small thank-you, containing 125 g. Check how many pieces there are and whether they’re individually wrapped if you want to set one out for each colleague. Read the current allergen label before sharing.
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Kitkat Strawberry Flavor, 10 pieces, 113 g
A multi-pack of chocolate wafers for an informal sharing occasion, with 10 pieces and a total weight of 113 g. Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped if you want to hand them out separately, and read the current allergen label.
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KitKat Gold Wafer Chocolate Salted Caramel Flavor, 9 pieces
A pack of 9 chocolate wafers for sharing. Check whether the pieces are individually wrapped if needed for handing them out, and check the allergens on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare the nutritional value of taaitaai and chocolate?
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then look at the portion you want to hand out. Voedingscentrum recommends comparing products per 100 g when they’re packaged differently; the per-100 g figure alone won’t tell you what’s in one piece.
Can I hand out regular taaitaai if a colleague eats gluten-free?
If so, don’t simply choose regular taaitaai. Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging. Check the other ingredients and allergens too: a gluten-free label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.
Are all boxes of chocolates suitable for handing out to each colleague?
No. Check how many pieces are in each box and whether they’re individually wrapped. The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped bars, but you can’t assume another box of chocolates has the same feature.
Where can I find allergen information for packaged office treats?
Read the label on the exact pack before handing out the treat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods; also check for any warnings on the product you’ve chosen.