Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers checking vegan labels

You don’t want to guess whether a biscuit is vegan based on the words taaitaai or digestive. You’re looking for a clear label and checking the ingredients of the specific variety.

Taaitaai fans with additional requirements

You’re after taaitaai’s chewy texture and aniseed flavour, but also want to check whether it suits a vegan or gluten-free diet.

Shoppers looking for gluten-free biscuits

You’re looking for gluten-free taaitaai or digestives first, then checking the ingredients and any vegan label separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

Digestive biscuits labelled vegan

Choose this if: you’re looking for a crisp biscuit and an explicit vegan label matters more to you than taaitaai’s texture. PLUS labels its standard Digestive biscuit as vegan.

Bear in mind: this digestive isn’t a chewy aniseed biscuit, and the variety described contains wheat.

Taaitaai with vegan checks

Choose this if: you specifically want taaitaai; Albert Heijn lists the gluten-free Consenza Taai taai poppetjes under ‘Gluten-free and vegan’.

Bear in mind: the Consenza variety contains oats and almonds, and the label for one product doesn’t automatically apply to other taaitaai.

First check the requirements that matter most to you for the variety you’ve chosen. Assess vegan suitability, gluten-free status and biscuit type separately.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Vegan suitability Look for an explicit vegan label and read the ingredients, checking in particular for milk ingredients, egg and honey. When I’m choosing a biscuit for vegan shopping, I don’t want to have to rely on the product name. This certainty is a priority for around 36% of shoppers.
Taaitaai or digestive Choose between chewy, aniseed-flavoured taaitaai and a crisp digestive, then check the variety you’ve selected. If you’re mainly after taaitaai’s familiar texture, you don’t want to end up with a different type of biscuit by mistake. For around 29% of shoppers, that eating experience comes first.
Gluten-free and vegan Check both labels separately and read the ingredients and allergen information. Also look out for oats or almonds if they’re relevant to you. I’m looking for a gluten-free biscuit, but don’t want to lose sight of my vegan requirements. Around 21% of shoppers prioritise this combination.
Variety and pack size Compare pack contents and check the ingredients again if there’s a chocolate coating; ‘dark’ doesn’t mean vegan. If I want a different variety or pack size, it still needs to meet my ingredient criteria. For around 14% of shoppers, the variety is the first thing they consider.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all taaitaai is vegan

    Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes contain milk protein. An Albert Heijn taaitaai recipe also includes honey and egg, so the type of biscuit alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s vegan.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack and, if vegan suitability is important, look for an appropriate label.

  • Assuming gluten-free, lactose-free or dark means vegan

    According to the product information, the gluten-free and lactose-free Schär Digestive Landtaler may contain egg. PLUS Digestive Puur Fairtrade lists milk fat.

    Check each attribute separately. Don’t assume a product is vegan based on another dietary label or the word ‘dark’.

  • Relying only on product information you’ve read before

    Ingredients and dietary information can change for a specific variety. This is especially important if you need to avoid particular ingredients.

    When ordering online, read the current product information and check the packaging when your order arrives.

Brands and product ranges to consider

PLUS

The standard PLUS Digestive biscuit is worth considering if you’re looking for a crisp biscuit labelled vegan.

  • PLUS labels its standard Digestive biscuit as vegan and lists the ingredients.
  • The separate PLUS Digestive Puur Fairtrade variety contains milk fat, so always check which variety you’re buying.

Consenza

The Taai taai poppetjes are worth considering if you’re looking for taaitaai that Albert Heijn labels both gluten-free and vegan.

  • The listed ingredients include gluten-free oat flour, syrups, almonds and aniseed.
  • The product contains oats and almonds; check the current packaging if these ingredients matter to you.

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes are an example of taaitaai where checking the specific ingredients is essential.

  • Jumbo lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this variety.
  • This variety contains milk protein, so it isn’t suitable for vegan shopping.

Schär

Digestive Landtaler is worth considering if you’re looking for a gluten-free digestive.

  • The product information describes this digestive as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • The product may contain egg, so you’ll need to assess it separately if vegan suitability is important.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ordinary taaitaai vegan?

Not necessarily: Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes contain milk protein, and honey and egg are used in an Albert Heijn taaitaai recipe. So check the ingredients of the exact variety you want to buy.

Does ‘plant-based’ on a biscuit mean it’s vegan?

No. According to the Dutch Association for Veganism, the word ‘plant-based’ on its own doesn’t guarantee that a product is entirely plant-based. Read the ingredients and check which label is used for the specific product.

Can I choose a gluten-free digestive as vegan without checking anything else?

No, a gluten-free label doesn’t confirm that a digestive is vegan. According to the product information, the gluten-free Schär Digestive Landtaler may contain egg, so check the ingredients and vegan label separately.

Why should I read both the allergen information and the ingredients?

Allergen information helps you identify milk, egg and cereals containing gluten, among other things. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), labelling rules apply to fourteen allergens. For a vegan choice, you’ll also need to look out for animal-derived ingredients such as honey, which may not be clear from the allergen information alone.

Is dark chocolate on a digestive always vegan?

No, ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you enough about the other ingredients. PLUS Digestive Puur Fairtrade contains milk fat, so check the ingredients of the whole biscuit, including the chocolate coating.