Travellers keeping an eye on sugar
You want to take taaitaai with you, but don’t want to rely on a product description that sounds sweet. Compare the sugars per 100 g and check exactly what any claim means.
Who are these points relevant to?
Travellers with allergen or gluten requirements
If you need to avoid an ingredient or allergen, the packaging is the deciding factor. Regular taaitaai may contain wheat, rye or milk, among other ingredients. Even with a gluten-free option, check for other allergens and, if it matters to your choice, the sugar value.
Families who want to share taaitaai
For a journey with several people, the quantity, portions and storage advice after opening all matter. A large bag isn’t automatically convenient if you only want to eat some of it on the way.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether lower sugar or an allergen requirement is your top priority. Then compare the packaging with what you actually want to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g across similar taaitaai products. If a product is labelled ‘light’ or ‘reduced’, check which feature has been reduced and what it is being compared with. | If I want less sugar, a claim on the front alone isn’t enough to help me choose a snack. Around 36% of consumers put this sugar comparison first. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen statement on the packaging you buy; if you choose a gluten-free option, check for other allergens too. | If I need to avoid a particular ingredient, that requirement comes before choosing a familiar flavour. For around 29% of consumers, checking allergens is the first priority. |
| Portions for the journey | Check the net weight, any portion information and the storage advice after opening. | I want to be able to share it on the journey without opening or eating the whole bag straight away. Portions and storage matter most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Seasonal availability | Just before setting off, check whether the option you want is available and whether the pack is suitable for the number of people travelling. | For a planned journey, I want to know whether my chosen taaitaai will be available in time. Current availability or a familiar option comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Calling a small reduction ‘low in sugar’ straight away
The regular options from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Bolletje mentioned here range from 36 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g. A lower figure within this group doesn’t, by itself, support a ‘low in sugar’ claim.
Compare the same type of product per 100 g, and assess any claim separately from a small difference between packs.
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Reading only the front of the pack
Without further explanation, ‘light’ doesn’t tell you whether the sugar content has been reduced. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing labels per 100 g.
Check which feature the packaging says has been reduced, and look at both sugars and energy in the nutrition table.
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Assuming gluten-free means less sugar
A gluten-free label says nothing about the sugar value or other allergens. The Maître Mathis taaitaai described in the research was labelled gluten-free, but according to the product information it also contained milk and lupin.
Check gluten, other allergens and sugars as separate points on the current packaging.
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Relying on an old product listing
An online listing doesn’t always show which option you can actually buy before setting off. Ingredients and nutritional information can also change.
Check availability shortly before your journey, and read the label on the bag you take with you when you buy it.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists its own-brand taaitaai as well as taaitaai from other brands in its product range.
- The product information for AH Taai taai lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g and names wheat, rye and milk among the ingredients and allergens.
- A listing for another option doesn’t confirm that it will be available when you set off.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including Sint Taai Taai Figures in a 500 g pack.
- For these figures, Jumbo lists 38,6 g of sugars per 100 g, along with portion and ingredient information.
- Check which option you’re buying: an older listing for De Originele Taai Taai was no longer in the online range.
PLUS
PLUS lists taaitaai in various pack sizes, including a 500 g bag of St Nicholas and Piet.
- For this 500 g option, PLUS lists 38,594 g of sugars per 100 g and allergens including wheat, rye and milk.
- PLUS notes that product information can change. For a sugar or allergen comparison, read the label on the bag you buy.
ALDI
ALDI has a product listing for a 500 g pack of taaitaai.
- The listed pack size helps you decide how much to take on your journey.
- Check the sugars and allergens on the packaging in store.
Dirk
The search results for Dirk include 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
- The product name and pack size are a useful starting point if you want to take mini taaitaai with you.
- Before assessing this option for sugar content or suitability, check the nutrition information, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does taaitaai with slightly less sugar automatically count as low in sugar?
No. A lower figure than that of another regular taaitaai doesn’t automatically support this claim. The product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Bolletje gives a range of 36 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g for the regular options discussed here. Compare the exact option you buy.
Does ‘light’ on taaitaai mean it contains less sugar?
Not necessarily: check which feature the packaging says has been reduced. For a ‘light’ claim about sugars, the Voedingscentrum refers to a comparison with a similar product containing 30% less sugar. So check the nutrition table as well as the explanation accompanying the claim.
How do I compare taaitaai with different portion sizes?
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for the same type of product. A per-portion value can also help you decide how much to take, but portions in different packs may not be the same size.
Can I take regular taaitaai with me if I need to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume you can without checking the label: the regular options described here list wheat and rye, among other ingredients. If you need to avoid gluten, choose a product labelled as suitable and check the other ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy too.
How should I store opened taaitaai during a car journey?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. The product information discussed here recommends storing it in a cool, dry place, and for some options, keeping it sealed after opening. If you’re taking an opened bag, bring an airtight container or bag if needed.