Only serve almonds to guests for whom almonds themselves are not an allergen to avoid; ‘gluten-free’ or ‘lactose-free’ does not mean a product is free from all allergens. The AH products reviewed explicitly state that they are gluten-free and lactose-free, while the Duyvis Oven roasted almonds reviewed may contain wheat. Check the packaging of the exact product and serve dishes with ingredient information separately.
You want to check who can eat almonds and keep ingredient information with dishes served separately. Almonds are an allergen in their own right; a guest’s advice will determine which nuts they need to avoid. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation offer information about allergens and nuts.
You’re looking for product information that meets a specific dietary need, rather than relying on ‘natural’ alone. The Albert Heijn product pages state that the products described are gluten-free and lactose-free. Lactose intolerance and milk allergy need to be assessed differently.
You can choose between unroasted, roasted unsalted and savoury seasoned almonds without assuming that any of these descriptions means a product is allergen-free. Ingredients and any added salt vary by product.
Start with what a guest needs to avoid according to their dietary advice. Then compare the features and ingredients of the exact product, and plan how you’ll serve it separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds and other nuts | Ask which allergens the guest needs to avoid and read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging. | If I’m considering almonds for a guest with a nut allergy, I first want to know whether they need to avoid almonds themselves and what warnings appear on the product. Around 29% of consumers prioritise allergen suitability. |
| Avoiding gluten | Check the gluten-free claim on the exact product and read any warnings about wheat. | Anyone who needs to avoid gluten will want a clear product claim and to check for warnings about wheat. Around 23% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten. |
| Lactose or milk protein | Distinguish between lactose intolerance and milk allergy; check the relevant ingredient and allergen information accordingly. | For lactose intolerance, I check for lactose; with a milk allergy, milk protein must also be considered. Around 18% of consumers prioritise avoiding lactose or milk. |
| Ingredients and salt | Compare the ingredients in each product; if comparing salt, check the amount per 100 g. | If I’m looking for a simple, unsalted or plant-based snack, I want to know whether it contains just almonds or also ingredients such as oil and seasoning. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this product preference. |
| Serving and storage | Keep the packaging for its ingredient information and follow the storage instructions after opening. | For a mixed buffet, I want to be able to identify and offer dishes for specific dietary needs separately. Around 18% of consumers prioritise how food is served and stored. |
A gluten-free or lactose-free claim does not change the fact that almonds are an allergen in their own right. Warnings about other nuts can also vary from product to product.
Choose according to the guest’s specific needs and read the full ingredient and allergen information on the exact packaging.
The fact that Duyvis Oven roasted almonds are oven-roasted does not remove the seasoning mix or the warning that they may contain wheat.
Assess the ingredients and warnings separately from the preparation method; don’t automatically assume this product is gluten-free.
A brief claim cannot replace all the information on the packaging. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation advises reading the full ingredients list again every time you buy a product.
Check the packaging you receive and any warnings; allow extra time to assess whether you have the right product.
Choosing a product alone won’t prevent cross-contamination during preparation or serving. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation describes using a clean kitchen and serving food separately at its own buffet.
Plan to use separate serving utensils and clear ingredient labels. This takes preparation and, on its own, cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will be avoided.
The AH products described are worth considering if you’re looking for unsalted or unroasted almonds and want to check explicit product claims.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds 140 g is an unsalted product containing almonds and sunflower oil.
PLUS Unsalted Almonds 150 g is a roasted, unsalted product.
Duyvis Oven roasted almonds are a savoury seasoned option for guests who can eat almonds.
The Dutch Lidl page lists a product made with unroasted almonds.
The Dutch ALDI pages describe unroasted and various roasted almond products under the Trader Joe’s name.
These products are options for an almond snack or topping when almonds are suitable for your guests; check the ingredients and warnings for each product.
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These almond kernels are described as suitable for snacking or adding to dishes such as salad or yoghurt.
Ingredient: 100% almond kernels. Contains almonds and is not suitable for guests who need to avoid them.
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This roasted, salted variety makes a savoury snack if its preparation and flavour suit your buffet.
The ingredients list 97% almonds, sunflower oil and 0.7% salt. The product contains almonds and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
Not if they need to avoid almonds according to their dietary advice. A gluten-free claim does not change the fact that almonds are an allergen; if they’re allergic to another nut, check the warnings on the exact packaging too.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a milk allergy relates to milk proteins. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the difference; if you have a milk allergy, check the full ingredient and allergen information and don’t rely on a lactose-free claim alone.
The warning indicates the possible unintentional presence of an allergen, not an ingredient that has been deliberately added. According to the NVWA, a warning about cross-contamination must be based on a risk assessment. The NVWA will oversee the new rules from 1 January 2026; transitional provisions based on the production date may apply to older stock.
Keep the original packaging and clearly label dishes served separately with their ingredients. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation also describes using a clean kitchen and checking for cross-contamination at its own buffet. Labels alone cannot guarantee that cross-contamination will be avoided.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the exact product. For AH Unsalted Almonds, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack securely after use.
