Calorie-conscious catering buyers
You want to offer almonds as a snack during breaks and manage the energy content per guest. Start with portion weight and nutritional information, rather than an unsubstantiated claim such as ‘low-calorie’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers responsible for allergen information
You’re providing snacks for a mixed group and want to give guests reliable allergen information before they choose. Almonds are a tree nut allergen; offer guests with an almond allergy an alternative snack.
Caterers who portion snacks themselves
You buy consumer packs and divide their contents for the conference. You’ll need a practical plan for portioning, storage and keeping product and allergen information available.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide on the portion per guest, then choose the composition you want and check how you’ll make the exact product information available when serving.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Check the kcal per 100 g on the label and weigh the portion; then calculate the energy per guest. | If I want to manage the energy content of each snack, I start with the portion weight. Around 40% of consumers prioritise calories per portion. |
| Allergen information | Record the details of the exact product variant and keep them accessible by the serving dish or serving point. | If I’m organising for a mixed group, I want guests to be able to check allergen information before choosing. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Unsalted or savoury | Check the product variant, ingredients and salt content on the packaging; don’t treat ‘no added fat’ as a calorie claim. | If I want to serve unsalted almonds, I make sure this choice isn’t confused with low-calorie. Around 20% of consumers prioritise an unsalted product. |
| Portioning and storage | Match the pack size to the number of portions and follow the storage instructions on the chosen packaging. | If I’m weighing and serving the almonds myself, I want the packaging and preparation to suit my serving process. Around 10% of consumers prioritise portioning and serving. |
Common pitfalls
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Confusing ‘unsalted’ with ‘low-calorie’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, unsalted almonds contain an average of 158 kcal per 25 g. For solid foods, the European threshold for a ‘low-calorie’ claim is a maximum of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g.
Talk about portion control and state the amount used. Don’t use ‘low-calorie’ to describe a small portion.
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Losing allergen information when repacking
Allergen information must be available to guests for unpackaged snacks. Simply keeping the original packaging where guests can’t consult it isn’t enough.
Link each serving dish to the exact product variant and keep the information accessible to guests and staff. The NVWA explains the information requirements for unpackaged products.
Portioning snacks yourself requires preparation and a process for keeping the information available at every serving point.
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Reading ‘no added fat’ as ‘low in calories’
Duyvis describes Almonds Original as roasted without added oil or fat. On its own, this doesn’t tell you how much energy the portion you choose contains.
Check the nutritional information for the exact product variant and assess the preparation method separately from the energy per portion.
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Planning to serve the whole pack as one snack portion
Pack sizes of 125 g, 140 g or 150 g are purchasing units, not defined snack portions. So the pack size doesn’t determine how much you want to serve each guest.
Choose the serving weight first, then calculate the total amount you’ll need and the number of packs to buy.
If the pack size doesn’t match the portion you want, serving may require extra preparation.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis lists both unsalted almonds and Almonds Original.
- The manufacturer says Almonds Original is roasted without added oil or fat and is available in a 125 g pack.
- This preparation information isn’t an independent taste assessment and doesn’t prove that the product is low in calories.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists unsalted almonds and blanched unsalted almonds.
- The product listings make these two specific variants easy to identify.
- Ingredients and nutritional values can change, so check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand Unsalted Almonds in a 140 g pack.
- The product information says to store this variant in a cool, dry and dark place.
- The pack size isn’t an individual portion, and the name ‘unsalted’ doesn’t prove a low energy content.
PLUS
PLUS lists Unsalted Almonds in a 150 g stand-up pouch.
- The product listing specifies the variant and pack size.
- PLUS warns that product and allergy information can change; check the current packaging.
Lidl
Lidl lists a product called Unsalted Almonds.
- The product listing identifies an unsalted variant.
- The listing doesn’t demonstrate any nutritional or price benefit, or confirm availability for a specific conference.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S almonds in roasted salted and smoked flavour variants, in 200 g packs.
- The product information describes a resealable pack.
- The variants described aren’t unsalted; a Nutri-Score B doesn’t prove a low calorie content.
Almonds at Joybuy
This selection includes unsalted and savoury seasoned almonds that you can weigh out yourself for conference catering.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
The stated energy per 100 g gives you a basis for calculating a portion you weigh out yourself.
Pack size: 160 g. Energy: 622 kcal per 100 g. Salt: 0.028 g per 100 g. Ingredients: almond kernels.
Don’t present this product as low-calorie; keep allergen information available at the serving point.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
This raw, unsalted variant may suit you if you want to portion unsalted almonds.
Pack size: 200 g. Energy: 591 kcal per 100 g. Salt: 0.03 g per 100 g.
The ingredients list almonds, while the product description also says the product doesn’t contain any of the 14 major EU allergens. Check the current packaging and allergen information before using it for catering.
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Anatolia roasted salted almonds 500 g
This savoury variant is an option if roasted, salted almonds suit the snack you want to offer.
Pack size: 500 g. Energy: 620 kcal per 100 g. Salt is listed in the ingredients and nutrition table.
Don’t present this product as low-calorie; keep allergen information available at the serving point.
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Anatolia Badem Natural Almonds 500 g
The stated energy per 100 g lets you calculate the energy in a portion you weigh out yourself.
Pack size: 500 g. Energy: 578 kcal per 100 g. The description says 100% almonds and 0.00 g salt per 100 g.
Don’t present this product as low-calorie; keep allergen information available at the serving point.
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g'woon Roasted & Salted Almonds 150 g
This roasted, salted variant may suit you if you want to offer a savoury flavour and weigh out the portions yourself.
Pack size: 150 g. Energy: 667 kcal per 100 g. Salt: 1 g per 100 g. Ingredients: almonds, sunflower oil and salt. The pack is resealable.
Don’t present this product as low-calorie; keep allergen information available at the serving point.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a smaller conference portion without calling almonds low-calorie?
Use the energy per 100 g for the product you’ve chosen and multiply it by the portion weight divided by 100. By way of illustration, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists an average of 158 kcal per 25 g of unsalted almonds: that works out at 63.2 kcal for 10 g and 94.8 kcal for 15 g. These calculations are based on an average for the category, not product-specific label values or personal dietary advice.
How do you provide allergen information for individual serving dishes?
Make sure guests can get allergen information before choosing. The NVWA explains that for unpackaged products, this can be provided in writing, for example on cards or a menu, or verbally under certain conditions. If you provide information verbally, it must be clear that guests can ask for it, and the information must be available in writing or electronically to staff and the NVWA.
What official resources are available for recording allergen information?
The NVWA provides an allergen checklist for your own records and for sharing information with customers. Use details for the exact products you serve, rather than only a general description such as ‘nuts’.
Does roasting make almonds suitable for someone with an almond allergy?
No. Don’t treat roasting as a way to make almonds allergen-free. Stichting Voedselallergie states that the nut allergen remains stable when heated. Choose another snack that’s suitable for the allergies of any guest with an almond allergy.
How should you store almonds for the next serving round?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by information on the packaging you’ve chosen. For Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g, Jumbo recommends storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place. This instruction doesn’t specify a separate shelf life for portions you’ve opened or repacked yourself.