Only serve almonds to guests whose diet allows them. They’re not suitable for anyone with an almond allergy or following a diet that excludes nuts. For other dietary needs, check the ingredients, specific claims and warnings on the packaging of the exact product you’re buying. Keep suitable snacks separate from other food during the party, and save the packaging so guests can check it.
You’re organising a birthday party and want to check whether individual guests need to avoid gluten, lactose, almonds, peanuts or other nuts. Check the product information on the specific pack; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that allergen information for prepacked products should appear on the label.
You’re serving a range of snacks and want to prevent a suitable option from coming into contact with gluten-containing food while guests are picking things up or passing them around. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains how crumbs and hands can cause cross-contamination.
Your guests can eat almonds and you want to choose between unroasted, roasted and unsalted, or savoury seasoned varieties. Pack size can also help you work out how much you’ll need for the party.
First, work out which ingredients and allergens matter to your guests. Then consider the risk of cross-contamination when serving, and choose a preparation and quantity that suit the party.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds and other allergens | Check whether the guest can eat almonds and read both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. Gluten-free or vegan doesn’t mean nut-free or peanut-free. | If I’m catering for someone with a specific nut or peanut allergy, I first need to know whether the almonds themselves and any warnings are suitable. Around 36% of consumers in this buying context prioritise allergen avoidance. |
| Choosing and serving gluten-free options | Check the claim for the exact product. Serve it separately, using clean dishes and utensils; the Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of contact via crumbs and hands. | If a guest eats gluten-free, I look beyond the packaging and consider what happens when people pick up snacks. Around 29% of consumers prioritise gluten-free suitability and preventing cross-contamination. |
| Lactose-free or plant-based | Check the specific claim and assess allergens separately. A lactose-free claim alone doesn’t establish whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy. | If I’m looking for a lactose-free or plant-based option, I need to distinguish that requirement from other allergy concerns. Around 14% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Quantity and serving style | Compare packs by weight and work out how many guests can eat almonds. For children, follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice about the risk of choking on whole nuts. | When planning the snack table, I want to prepare suitable portions and bear in mind that children may eat whole nuts. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on quantity, packaging and practical serving. |
A product may be labelled gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan and still contain almonds, or carry a warning that it may contain peanuts or other nuts.
Check exactly which claim is being made and which guest it’s relevant to. Don’t present almonds as universally allergen-free.
The unsalted Jumbo variety lists sunflower oil. According to the manufacturer, Duyvis Almonds Original may contain wheat.
Read the full ingredients list and warnings; don’t judge suitability based only on how a product is prepared.
Crumbs, serving utensils or hands can bring gluten-containing snacks into contact with food that was meant to be kept separate.
Plan to use separate bowls and clean serving utensils, and keep the packaging available for guests to check.
Serving food separately takes extra preparation and may require separate bowls or utensils.
The packs mentioned from AH, PLUS and Jumbo contain 190 g, 200 g and 140 g respectively. If you don’t take the pack size into account, it can be difficult to plan how much you’ll need for your guests.
Work out how many guests can eat almonds, then compare the packs by weight. This also helps you plan for any leftovers.
An unsuitable quantity could mean buying extra packs or having leftovers after the party.
AH Unsalted Almonds are a roasted variety in a 190 g pack.
PLUS Unroasted and Unsalted Almonds come in a 200 g stand-up pouch and have a simple ingredients list.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds are a roasted variety in a 140 g pack.
The manufacturer describes Unsalted Almonds and the savoury seasoned Almonds Original, both in 125 g packs.
ALDI describes unroasted almonds under the Trader Joe’s label in a 200 g pack.
Lidl lists Alesto Spanish Almonds in several varieties, in 200 g packs.
These products are intended for guests who can eat almonds. Compare the variety, ingredients and warnings with your guests’ dietary needs.
No image available
The product information describes these almond kernels as ready to eat and suitable for use in dishes.
The ingredients information lists 100% almonds. Contains almonds; not suitable for guests who need to avoid almonds.
No image available
This roasted, salted variety is an option for guests who can eat almonds and salt.
The product information lists almonds and salt as ingredients, and almonds and tree nuts as allergens.
No image available
The product information describes these almonds as ready to eat and also suitable for use in dishes.
The ingredients information lists 100% almonds. Contains almonds; not suitable for guests who need to avoid almonds.
No image available
This roasted variety is intended for guests who can eat almonds and salt.
The product information lists 97% almonds, sunflower oil and 0.7% salt. The product may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
No image available
Check the allergen information on the pack before deciding whether this raw, unsalted variety is suitable.
The product information lists almonds as an ingredient, but also states that none of the 14 main EU allergens are present. That claim conflicts with the listing of almonds; don’t rely on it when choosing a product for someone with an allergy.
No. A lactose-free claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy. Check the ingredients and allergen information separately, and follow the person’s individual dietary advice.
Assess this warning separately from the statement that the product contains almonds. Choosing an unsalted or vegan variety doesn’t change the warning; follow the individual dietary advice for any guest with a peanut allergy.
For a guest who eats gluten-free, choosing a suitable product isn’t enough if it comes into contact with gluten-containing food while being served. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of transfer via crumbs, utensils and hands. Use separate dishes and clean serving utensils.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen, and keep the packaging itself. Albert Heijn advises storing the AH variety mentioned in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use; Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing their products in a dry, dark place.
Not necessarily: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that children can choke on whole nuts. Make sure children eat calmly while sitting down, and supervise them. This is separate from whether almonds are suitable for their diet.
