Only choose almonds if almonds themselves fit your diet: a gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan label does not make almonds suitable if you have an almond allergy. The AH pack reviewed is labelled gluten-free and lactose-free; also check the current packaging and ask the Christmas market stall about ingredients and possible cross-contamination during preparation.
Want to know whether almonds, peanuts or other nuts fit your diet? The plain varieties reviewed contain almonds and carry warnings about peanuts or other nuts. If you have an almond allergy, an almond snack is not a suitable choice. Stichting Voedselallergie identifies nuts as allergens; always check the information for the specific product.
If you’re looking for a snack with clear gluten-free information, also check for possible cross-contamination and how it’s prepared at the stall. A gluten-free label on a packaged variety doesn’t automatically tell you anything about seasoned varieties or snacks prepared on site.
Distinguish between a preference for plant-based food, lactose intolerance and milk allergy. The Voedingscentrum explains that lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a milk allergy involves milk proteins. A vegan label is not a general guarantee that a product is free from allergens.
Start with the ingredient you need to avoid. A label such as gluten-free or vegan doesn’t override warnings about almonds, peanuts or other nuts.
When to choose it: if you can eat almonds and are specifically looking for gluten-free or lactose-free information, the AH pack reviewed is one option.
Bear in mind: the pack contains almonds and warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts.
When to choose it: if you’re looking for a simple plant-based snack and can eat almonds, PLUS lists only almonds as an ingredient and identifies the product as vegan.
Bear in mind: the PLUS label says the product may contain peanuts and other nuts; a short ingredients list is not a general free-from guarantee.
When to choose it: if you can eat almonds and want a ready-to-eat savoury snack, you could consider the Duyvis variety.
Bear in mind: AH’s product information warns that this variety may contain wheat, peanuts and several types of nuts, so don’t treat it as a confirmed gluten-free choice.
When to choose it: if you need to avoid almonds, don’t choose an almond snack, regardless of labels such as gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan.
Bear in mind: assess any other snack separately by checking its ingredients and preparation; the absence of almonds as an ingredient doesn’t prove that cross-contamination has been ruled out.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds and cross-contamination | Check the allergen you need to avoid, the ingredients and the separate ‘may contain’ warning. | If almonds or possible cross-contamination with peanuts and other nuts is decisive for me, I check this before considering flavour or how the snack is prepared. Consumers whose main concern is this are estimated to make up around 31% of people with dietary requirements. |
| Gluten-free information | Check the gluten-free label, warnings about cereals containing gluten, and how the snack is prepared or what is added at the stall. | I want clear gluten-free information and want to know what is added when the snack is served or prepared. This is estimated to be the main purchasing concern for around 31% of consumers with dietary requirements. |
| Lactose or milk | Work out which ingredient you need to avoid and check the relevant label, milk ingredients and allergen warnings. | If my choice depends on lactose or milk, I distinguish between lactose intolerance and milk allergy. Consumers with this priority are estimated to make up around 25% of people with dietary requirements. |
| Plant-based and plain | Check the vegan label, ingredients list and preparation method; check allergen information separately. | I’m mainly looking for a plant-based snack with a simple ingredient list, and avoiding something for medical reasons isn’t my top priority. This is estimated to apply to around 13% of consumers with dietary requirements. |
A gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan label doesn’t change the fact that almonds are present. The AH pack reviewed lists almonds and also warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts.
First, work out which allergen you need to avoid. If it’s almonds, don’t choose an almond snack.
The plain varieties reviewed have short ingredients lists, but also warn that they may contain peanuts or other nuts.
Read the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ warning as two separate checks.
Jumbo’s product information describes the specific Unsalted Almonds 140 g as roasted and lists sunflower oil.
Check the preparation method and ingredients as well as the product name.
Additional ingredients and cross-contamination during preparation can affect whether the snack you actually receive is suitable.
Before buying, ask about the ingredients and allergen information for the product being sold. The NVWA explains that allergen information must also be available for non-prepacked foods.
AH Unroasted Almonds 450 g is a plain variety with specific dietary information on the retailer’s website.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds 200 g is a plain variety to consider if you’re looking for a short ingredients list.
Oven Roasted Almonds 125 g is an example of a savoury-seasoned snack.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a roasted variety to compare with plain products.
The product description for Trader Joe’s Unroasted Almonds 200 g refers to untreated almonds in a resealable pack.
Lidl Unroasted Almonds 200 g is a plain variety with the pack size shown.
This selection at Joybuy includes plain almond kernels and roasted, salted almonds. Check the product information on the page and the packaging for the allergen you need to avoid.
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The product information describes these almond kernels as ready to eat; choose this product only if almonds fit your diet.
Ingredients: 100% almond kernels.
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The product information describes these roasted, salted almonds as ready to eat; choose them only if you can eat almonds.
Ingredients according to the product information: almonds and salt.
The product information warns that this product is not suitable for people with a nut allergy.
Yes. Allergen information must also be available for non-prepacked foods. According to the NVWA, this can be provided in writing, for example on a card, or verbally if it’s clearly indicated that you can ask for it.
No, a lactose-free label alone isn’t enough. Lactose intolerance concerns milk sugar; a milk allergy concerns milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check for milk ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination, including from anything added at the stall.
It’s a warning about possible cross-contamination, not a statement that every pack is proven to contain wheat. AH’s product information for Duyvis Oven Roasted Almonds includes this warning, so this variety isn’t a confirmed gluten-free choice.
Not without also checking how the snack is prepared. Ask what ingredients are added and how cross-contamination is prevented; information about a packaged snack doesn’t automatically apply to a snack prepared differently at a stall.
No. The AH pack reviewed is labelled gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan, but contains almonds and warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts. Always check for the specific ingredient you need to avoid.
