Whole almonds are not a suitable lunchbox snack for children under 4: the Voedingscentrum recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts for this age group. If the form of food is suitable for your child’s age and the childcare setting allows almonds, check whether a multipack contains small bags or several standard packs. A smaller bag does not reduce the risk of choking or allergens.
If you’re looking for something for the lunch of a child under 4, consider the form of food first and convenience of packaging second. The Voedingscentrum recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts for this age group.
When buying for several children, your choice and the allergen information need to comply with the setting’s food policy and individual arrangements. The Voedingscentrum presents its policy as an example that childcare organisations can adapt to their own circumstances.
If you want to know whether a multipack contains small bags or several standard packs, check the number of individual packs and the weight of each one. For example, Albert Heijn describes its three-pack of almonds as three of the standard product.
First check that the form of food is suitable for your child’s age and complies with the childcare setting’s arrangements. Then compare the packaging, ingredients and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Form of food and age | Check whether the product contains whole nuts or nut butter, and take your child’s age into account. | If I’m preparing lunch for a child under 4, a suitable form of food comes before a convenient bag. Around 31% of consumers give age suitability top priority. |
| Allergens and childcare arrangements | Read the ingredients and allergen information, and ask what arrangements the childcare setting follows. | If you’re buying for a group, you’ll want to know whether almonds and any cross-contamination warnings comply with the setting’s arrangements. Around 25% of consumers prioritise allergens and childcare arrangements. |
| What’s in the multipack | Check how many individual packs it contains, how many grams are in each pack, and whether it contains almonds only. | If I’m looking for individual lunchbox portions, I don’t want to accidentally buy several large bags. Around 19% of consumers give pack size top priority. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check whether the product contains almonds or a nut mix, and what it says about added salt and sugar. | If you’re looking for simple ingredients, check the label rather than relying on terms such as ‘unsalted’. Around 13% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the net weight and follow the storage and resealing instructions for the exact pack. | If I’m managing supplies for several lunches, I want to know how much will be left after opening and how to store the pack. Around 12% of consumers give quantity and stock management top priority. |
It still contains a whole nut, even if it comes in a small bag. The Voedingscentrum recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts for children under 4.
Check your child’s age and the texture of the food first, then consider the pack size.
According to Albert Heijn, the AH Unsalted Almonds 3-pack contains three of the standard product, not small lunchbox bags.
Check both the number of individual packs and the weight of each one.
Portioning the almonds yourself and storing opened packs properly takes extra effort.
Unsalted says nothing about allergens. Albert Heijn lists almonds as an allergen and also notes that the product may contain other nuts and peanuts.
Read the ingredients and allergen information separately, and make sure your choice complies with the childcare setting’s arrangements.
The Albert Heijn listing checked for Duyvis almond bags and the Jumbo listing for Duyvis nut mix both stated that those versions were no longer in the range.
Check the current availability message for the exact version you’re looking for. A product listing alone does not confirm that it’s available to buy.
Duyvis lists both standard packs of almonds and a multipack of Unsalted Nutmix Walnut. As well as almonds, this nut mix contains walnuts, cashews and hazelnuts.
Albert Heijn lists AH Unsalted Almonds in a standard pack, as well as a bundle of three of the same product.
Jumbo lists unsalted almonds in a standard 140 g pack.
ALDI Netherlands lists roasted, unsalted almonds by TRADER JOE'S; ALDI is the retailer and TRADER JOE'S is the product brand.
PLUS lists unroasted, unsalted almonds in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
These products are standard packs of almonds that you portion yourself; they are not multipacks with individual bags. According to the Voedingscentrum’s advice, whole almonds are not suitable as a snack for children under 4.
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Suitable only if almonds are allowed and portioning them yourself works for you; not suitable as a whole-nut snack for children under 4.
The product description lists 100% almond kernels and a net weight of 160 g. Reseal the pack after opening.
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A standard pack for situations where almonds are allowed and you want to portion them yourself; not suitable as a whole-nut snack for children under 4.
The product name describes raw, unsalted almonds weighing 200 g. The product description advises storing them in a cool, dry place and resealing the pack after opening.
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May be suitable if almonds are allowed and a larger standard pack works for you; not suitable as a whole-nut snack for children under 4.
The product description lists 100% almonds and a net weight of 500 g. This is not a multipack with individual bags.
For children under 4, the Voedingscentrum recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of nuts, because of the risk of choking. A smaller bag does not change the texture of the nut.
Ask children to sit at the table and eat calmly, and stay with them. Amsterdam UMC warns that older children can still choke; supervision does not guarantee that whole nuts are suitable for every child.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the label, and check any separate warnings about allergens that may be present unintentionally. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Since 1 January 2026, Dutch rules have applied to warnings about allergens that may be present unintentionally.
Not necessarily. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion size for AH Unsalted Almonds, while the historical Duyvis listing mentions 30 g bags. These are product details, not personalised nutritional recommendations. For children, follow the Voedingscentrum’s advice on age and form of food.
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. Albert Heijn advises storing AH Unsalted Almonds in a cool, dark and dry place, and closing the pack securely after use. For another product, check its label again.
Don’t assume there is one rule for every childcare setting. Ask what food policy and allergen arrangements apply. The Voedingscentrum describes its childcare policy as an example that organisations can adapt to their own circumstances.
