First, consider what your guest needs to avoid: if they have an almond allergy, almonds aren’t a suitable snack, even if they’re labelled gluten-free or lactose-free. If they need to avoid gluten or lactose, the corresponding claim on the exact product variant can be a useful starting point. For example, Albert Heijn labels its AH Unroasted Almonds as both gluten-free and lactose-free, but also check the allergen warnings and the current packaging. Lactose-free does not automatically mean suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy.
You want to serve almonds to someone who needs to avoid gluten. Check the dietary claim and any cross-contamination information for the exact product variant; unroasted or made without added oil doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights cross-contamination during preparation as something to consider.
You’re looking for something for someone who avoids lactose or has a cow’s milk allergy. These are different needs: a lactose-free claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the difference.
You’re welcoming guests with different dietary restrictions and want to check which allergens each product contains or may contain. The Food Allergy Foundation advises checking the full ingredients list again with every purchase; keep product information with each separate snack.
Start with the allergens your guests need to avoid. Then compare how the almonds are prepared, their flavour and the pack size.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding gluten | Check the gluten-free claim and warnings on the exact pack. Albert Heijn labels AH Unroasted Almonds as gluten-free; the Dutch product information for Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds warns that they may contain wheat. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten, I want to be able to check the claim and warnings on that exact pack. Around 28% of consumers start with avoiding gluten as their main purchasing concern. |
| Lactose or milk protein | Ask whether the guest needs to avoid lactose or milk proteins, then check the ingredients and warnings for the variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy. | For lactose intolerance, I look for information about lactose; for a cow’s milk allergy, I check for milk proteins and relevant warnings. Around 22% of consumers start with this distinction. |
| Almonds and other nuts | Check whether the guest can eat almonds, then read the warnings about other nuts and peanuts on the chosen variant. The Food Allergy Foundation lists almonds as a type of nut that should be declared. | If a guest needs to avoid almonds, I choose a different snack for them; gluten-free or lactose-free makes no difference. Around 22% of consumers first check for almonds, other nuts or peanuts. |
| Serving separately | Use a separate, clearly labelled place and prevent crumbs or other foods the guest needs to avoid from getting mixed in. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that cross-contamination during preparation may be a concern. | When I’m serving snacks to different guests, I want to keep the suitable portion clearly identifiable and separate. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this practical serving concern. |
| Flavour and quantity | Once you’ve checked the dietary information, compare unroasted, roasted or seasoned options and check the pack size of the exact product. PLUS lists 200 g for its unroasted, unsalted variant; Jumbo lists 175 g for its organic unroasted variant. | Once I’ve settled on a suitable option, I compare the flavour and quantity with what I want to serve and store. Around 11% of consumers start with these remaining preferences. |
Almonds are an allergen in their own right. A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with an almond allergy or any other allergy.
Find out exactly which ingredient your guest needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and warnings for the chosen variant.
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted without added oil or fat. The Dutch product information for Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds warns that they may contain wheat, peanuts and various nuts.
Assess the preparation method, ingredients and cross-contamination warnings separately.
The Jumbo variants reviewed differ in recipe and warnings. For example, the organic unroasted variant also lists sesame, while the unsalted variant has a different ingredients list and warning.
Check the name, pack size and label of the variant you’re actually buying.
A product that passes an ingredients check could still come into contact with something a guest needs to avoid during preparation or serving.
Serve it separately and keep the original packaging available so you can check the ingredients and warnings.
These brands are useful points of reference when comparing almond products; the features mentioned apply only to the product ranges and variants described.
AH Unroasted Almonds 450 g are a useful reference if you want to compare specific dietary claims.
PLUS Unroasted, Unsalted Almonds 200 g are a useful reference for a simple recipe.
The variants reviewed include 140 g of unsalted almonds and 175 g of organic unroasted almonds.
Duyvis is worth considering if you’re looking for a savoury, roasted almond option.
The Trader Joe’s range on offer includes 200 g packs of described unroasted and roasted unsalted almonds.
Lidl’s Alesto range covers nuts and snacks; the product information lists 200 g packs of Spanish almonds in different varieties.
No. Gluten-free says nothing about the almond allergen. If someone has an almond allergy, don’t choose almonds for them.
No. Lactose is milk sugar; with a cow’s milk allergy, the immune system reacts to milk proteins. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the difference, so don’t use a lactose-free claim as proof that a product is suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy.
No. Those words describe how the almonds are prepared or their flavour, not whether they’re gluten-free. Check the claim and warnings for the exact product; the Dutch product information for Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds says they may contain wheat.
Keep suitable snacks separate and prevent them from mixing with crumbs containing gluten. Keep the packaging nearby so your guest can check the product information. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that cross-contamination during preparation may be a concern; serving food separately isn’t a guarantee against every risk.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Check the full, up-to-date label of the chosen variant every time you buy it.
