If you want to give attendees a snack they can take away straight away, choose an individually wrapped portion and check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. If you can weigh and pack portions in advance, larger bags are an option; just factor in the recipe, extra work and how you’ll provide the information. A statement that a pack contains several servings, or that it’s a multipack, doesn’t mean it contains individual snack bags.
You want to give attendees a snack without having to weigh it out at the point of service. So, look out for the difference between servings in a bag and individual packs for handing out; the Duyvis and Jumbo packs reviewed contain several servings.
You can weigh out and divide larger packs in advance. Your choice will depend on factors including the ingredients, storage instructions and your working procedures under the applicable food safety plan or hygiene code set out by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
You want attendees to be able to check in advance whether a snack suits their diet. Almonds are covered by the allergen information requirements for nuts; seasoned varieties may also list other ingredients or warnings.
First decide whether you want to hand out portions straight away or prepare them yourself. Then compare the ingredients, allergen information and costs based on the portion you actually want to give each attendee.
Choose this when: attendees need to be able to take their snack with them without weighing or repacking it.
Bear in mind: check that each pack really contains one portion of the size you want; a serving size given for nutritional information doesn’t prove this.
Choose this when: the caterer can weigh and pack portions in advance as part of its food safety procedures.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to organise the preparation, individual packs and allergen information yourself.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion format | Check the number of individual packs and the weight of each pack for handing out; a stated number of servings doesn’t prove that there are separate bags. | If I want to give attendees something they can take with them straight away, I don’t want to have to weigh it out on the spot. Around 33% of consumers prioritise quick service. |
| Allergen information | Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact product packaging, and make sure the information is available in the format you choose for handing out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirements for prepacked and non-prepacked products. | If I need to take dietary requests into account, I want attendees to be able to check the relevant allergen information. Around 27% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
| Recipe | Read the ingredients and salt content for the exact variety; ‘no added oil’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘unsalted’. | If I’m putting together an unsalted selection or a savoury snack for a break, I want to know what’s in the variety I’ve chosen. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the recipe. |
| Total cost per portion | Compare packs based on the same planned portion size, and include the labour and packaging costs if you’re portioning them yourself. | If I want to manage the cost of the portions actually handed out, I look beyond the shop-bought pack alone. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the total cost per portion. |
A pack labelled as containing four to five servings, or around six servings, could still be one large bag. Those numbers don’t tell you how many individual packs you can hand out.
Before ordering, check how many separate packs there are and how many grams each one contains.
If your stock is in larger bags, you’ll need to allow extra time for weighing and packing portions.
According to Duyvis, the Duyvis Oven roasted variety reviewed is roasted without added oil or fat, but the product information also lists a savoury seasoning mix containing salt.
Choose based on the full ingredients list for the exact variety, not just one statement on the front of the pack.
Larger shop-bought packs don’t automatically give you individual snacks. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires professional caterers to work with a food safety plan or hygiene code based on HACCP.
Decide in advance who will weigh, pack and store the portions, and make the allergen information available.
Remember to include the individual packs and preparation time in your plans.
Attendees must be able to access relevant allergen information even when portions are assembled in-house or offered unpackaged. Information about almonds and any additional warnings remains relevant.
Keep the product information and make sure it’s available for the final serving format in line with the applicable requirements.
The Oven roasted almonds reviewed are a savoury variety in a 125 g pack.
The AH Unsalted Almonds reviewed are roasted almonds in a 190 g pack.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is a roasted, unsalted variety.
The Lidl listing for Alesto Spanish almonds mentions various varieties and a pack size of 200 g.
ALDI describes Trader Joe’s unroasted almonds as a 200 g multipurpose pack.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds is a 200 g stand-up pouch.
These Joybuy products are larger packs of almonds for portioning yourself, including both unsalted and savoury salted varieties.
No image available
A good choice for portioning in advance if you want a pack that can be resealed after opening.
160 g; the product description lists 100% almond kernels and a resealable pack.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving the portions.
No image available
A good choice for an unsalted almond selection that you can divide into portions in advance.
200 g; the title describes raw, unsalted almonds. The product information advises resealing the pack securely after opening and storing it in a cool, dry place.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving the portions.
No image available
A good choice for a savoury almond snack that you can divide into individual portions in advance.
500 g; the product information lists roasted almonds with salt and advises storing them in a cool, dry place and sealing the pack securely after opening.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving the portions.
No image available
A good choice if you want a larger pack to divide into portions yourself in advance.
500 g; the ingredients list states 100% almonds. The product information advises storing them in a cool, dry place and sealing the pack securely after opening.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving the portions.
No image available
A good choice for a savoury snack that you can divide into portions in advance and reseal between servings.
150 g; the product information lists 97% almonds, sunflower oil and salt, plus a resealable bag.
Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving the portions.
No, the AH Unsalted Almonds 4-pack reviewed contains four separate 190 g products. Check the contents of each product, not just the number of items in the multipack.
No, Jumbo uses 25 g as the serving size for its nutritional information; it isn’t a legal catering standard. Decide on the amount you want for your event, and don’t present it as a legal requirement.
Professional caterers must work with a food safety plan or hygiene code based on HACCP, as set out by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Include weighing, packing, storage and allergen management in the applicable working procedures, and make sure the information provided suits the final serving format.
Verbal information may be used for non-prepacked products, subject to certain conditions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority mentions, among other things, displaying a notice telling customers they can ask for allergen information. For prepacked products, the relevant information must appear on the label.
Multiply the number of attendees receiving a portion by the number of portions planned per attendee and the weight of each portion. For 100 attendees, one portion per person and 25 g per portion, you’ll need 2,500 g, before adding any reserve you choose to allow for. For larger packs, calculate the number of complete portions and round up the number of packs you need to buy.
