Who is this choice relevant to?

Party organisers who want to make a safe choice

You’re organising a children’s party and want to choose a snack that suits the children’s ages and any allergies. A small sachet doesn’t automatically make whole nuts suitable, so discuss your choice with the parents. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter instead of whole nuts for children under 4.

Parents who want to prepare small portions

You want to divide the snack into portions in advance and find out whether the pack contains individual sachets. A serving size on the label tells you the quantity, but not whether the pack contains individual portions.

Organisers who want to compare ingredients

You’re looking for a plain or seasoned almond option and want to check the ingredients and information about potential allergens. A resealable pack can be handy if there’s anything left after portioning.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the snack is suitable for the children and that it doesn’t contain anything they’re allergic to. Then consider whether you need individual portions, which ingredients you’re looking for and how you’ll store any leftovers.

Portion plain almonds yourself

Choose this when: almonds are suitable for the children and you want to prepare small portions in advance.

Bear in mind: you’ll need to weigh the portions yourself and provide tubs or bags. If you’re not sending the original pack along, you’ll also need to share the product information.

Portion seasoned almonds

Choose this when: you’re specifically looking for a savoury flavour and almonds are suitable for everyone attending.

Bear in mind: a standard pack isn’t a set of individual children’s portions. Check the ingredients too, including salt and sugar-based ingredients.

Don’t serve whole almonds

Choose a different type of snack when: a child is under 4 or needs to avoid almonds because of an allergy.

Bear in mind: a smaller bag doesn’t change the fact that these are whole nuts. Discuss a suitable option with the child’s parent.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Snack type and allergens Agree your choice with the parents; check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. When I’m preparing snacks for children, I want to know whether whole nuts and potential allergens are suitable. Around 34% of consumers put safety and allergens first.
Individual portions Check the net quantity and whether the pack contains individual inner sachets. If I want to hand out small portions straight away, I check that they really are individual sachets. Around 33% of consumers prioritise individual portions.
Ingredients Compare the ingredients of the exact variety, such as added salt, sugar-based ingredients or seasonings. If I’m looking for a plain almond option, I read the ingredients rather than relying on the product name alone. Around 20% of consumers put ingredients first.
Quantity and leftovers Compare the amount you need with the net quantity and check whether the pack is resealable. If I don’t need the whole pack, I want to be able to store the rest properly. Around 13% of consumers prioritise useful leftovers and cost.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a small bag makes the snack suitable

    The size of the pack doesn’t change the fact that it contains whole nuts. For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts.

    Choose the right type of snack first, and make sure children eat sitting down calmly and under supervision.

  • Taking a serving size to mean individual sachets

    Albert Heijn lists a 25 gram serving size on the label of its 190 gram pack. This doesn’t mean the contents are divided into individual sachets.

    Check specifically whether the product pack contains individual inner sachets.

    Portioning the almonds yourself takes preparation and requires separate tubs or bags.

  • Assuming a preparation claim describes all the ingredients

    Duyvis says its Almonds Original are roasted without added oil or fat, but the ingredients list also includes salt and sugar-based ingredients.

    Check the ingredients of the exact variety before you choose.

  • Losing the allergen information when portioning the almonds yourself

    Even packs of plain almonds may state that other nuts or peanuts could be present.

    Keep the original pack and share the relevant product information with the parents.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

Almonds Original is a seasoned almond variety in a 125 gram pack, for anyone specifically looking for a savoury flavour.

  • Duyvis says the almonds are roasted without added oil or fat.
  • The ingredients include salt and sugar-based ingredients. Albert Heijn lists the 4 × 30 gram unsalted pack as discontinued.

Albert Heijn

AH Amandelen ongezouten is a roasted variety in a 190 gram pack for anyone who wants to portion the almonds themselves.

  • The product page lists almonds as the ingredient and 25 gram as the serving size on the label.
  • The serving size on the label doesn’t mean the pack contains individual sachets. The page also states that peanuts and other nuts may be present.

Jumbo

Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen 140 g is a smaller standard pack for anyone looking to limit the total quantity in the bag.

  • This variety contains 99% almonds and sunflower oil.
  • The product page states that peanuts may be present; individual portion sachets are not confirmed.

Lidl

According to the Dutch product page, Alesto Spanish almonds are available in different varieties in 200 gram packs.

  • The product page gives the pack size and confirms that different varieties are available.
  • Don’t assume every variety is unsalted; check the ingredients on the pack you choose.

Aldi

The Dutch ALDI page describes Trader Joe's unroasted almonds in a resealable 200 gram pack.

  • A resealable pack is handy if you want to store any leftovers after portioning.
  • Unroasted doesn’t mean whole almonds are automatically suitable for young children.

PLUS

PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten is a 200 gram stand-up pouch for anyone who wants to portion a plain variety themselves.

  • The ingredients list contains almonds only.
  • The allergen information states that peanuts and other nuts may be present. A simple ingredients list doesn’t rule out cross-contamination.

Almonds at Joybuy

These Joybuy products are standard packs of almonds that you can portion into smaller amounts yourself; they are not confirmed to contain individual children’s sachets.

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g

You can divide the 160 g pack into portions if you want to prepare them yourself.

The product information states that it contains 100% almond kernels and is ready to eat.

Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid them. For whole nuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for children under 4 applies.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g

The 200 g pack is suitable if you want to weigh out portions yourself.

The product name describes raw, unsalted almonds; the description recommends sealing the pack carefully after opening.

Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid them.

View at Joybuy
Anatolia Badem Natural Amandel 500 gr

Anatolia Badem Natural Amandel 500 gr

The 500 gr pack is an option if you want to portion larger quantities yourself.

The product information states that it contains 100% almonds and 0,00 g salt per 100 g.

Contains almonds; not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid them.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can children eat almonds while walking or playing?

Set aside a calm time for them to eat while sitting down, and stay nearby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises children to sit calmly while eating. A bag to take along isn’t a reason to eat while playing.

Is the 25 gram serving size on the AH label the recommended amount for a child?

No. Albert Heijn lists 25 gram as the serving size on the label, not as advice for a specific age group of children. First check that the snack is suitable, and don’t treat the serving size on the label as personal dietary advice.

How do you work out how many almonds you need?

Multiply the amount you’ve chosen per person in grams by the number of people, then divide that by the net quantity of one pack. Round the number of packs up, and remember to allow for the tubs or bags you’ll need if you’re portioning the almonds yourself.

How should you store almonds left over after the party?

Store nuts in a dry place in a well-sealed container, and follow the instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a dry place in a well-sealed container; the ALDI pack reviewed is resealable.

What allergen information must a Dutch retailer provide?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods must appear on the label. For non-prepacked foods, businesses must provide the information before purchase. These requirements for businesses aren’t necessarily the same as the responsibilities of a parent organising a party at home.