Only give children almonds if they’re suitable for them and allowed under the school or childcare setting’s policy. The MDL Fonds warns that whole nuts are unsafe for children under four because of the risk of choking; suitability for each recipient is important for older children too. A standard pack or multipack isn’t automatically a set of individual party bags, so check the packaging format and keep the product information if you’re making up portions yourself.
You want to know whether almonds are suitable for the children’s ages, any allergies and the school or childcare setting’s policy. Voedingscentrum explains that policies on treats can vary between settings, so the packaging comes second. MDL Fonds warns against whole nuts for children under four.
You want to divide standard packs into portions and keep the ingredients, allergen information and storage advice with the treats. Product information from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Jumbo can help you compare the exact varieties; a stated serving size or multipack isn’t the same as individual party bags.
You’re comparing unsalted and seasoned varieties and want to know how much preparation the packaging involves. Duyvis® says its almonds are roasted without added oil or fat, but the ingredients also include salt and other flavourings. So this claim about how they’re prepared doesn’t replace checking the ingredients list.
Start by checking whether the almonds are suitable for the children and the setting. Then compare the packaging format, ingredients, quantity needed and storage information.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for children and the setting | Check the children’s ages, any relevant allergies and the school or childcare setting’s policy on treats. | When I’m choosing a treat for a group, I want to know first whether almonds are suitable for the children and allowed at the setting. Around 31% of consumers put suitability at the top of their list when buying. |
| Individual portions or portioning them yourself | Check whether the pack really contains individual portions; don’t assume it does from a multipack or serving-size statement. | When I need to fill several bags, I want to know in advance how much I’ll need to weigh out and pack myself. Around 25% of consumers prioritise convenience when portioning. |
| Ingredients and flavour | Read the ingredients for the exact variety and compare unsalted products with roasted or seasoned ones. | If almonds are suitable for the group, I want to be able to check the ingredients and flavour before choosing. Around 19% of consumers prioritise ingredients and flavour. |
| Quantity needed | Compare the amount in each pack with the number of treats and the quantity you want to give each child. | I want to buy enough for the number of children without having too much left over. Around 13% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need. |
| Storage and product information | Keep the label and follow the storage advice on the pack you choose. | If I prepare the bags in advance, I want the ingredients, allergen and storage information to be available to the adults responsible. Around 12% of consumers prioritise keeping product information and planning ahead. |
A smaller size doesn’t change the risk of choking, possible allergies or the setting’s rules. Voedingscentrum warns against whole nuts, while MDL Fonds says whole nuts are unsafe for children under four.
Check who will receive the treats and the school or childcare setting’s policy first. Don’t give treats containing whole nuts to children under four.
The AH 3-pack reviewed consists of separate standard products. The product’s stated serving size doesn’t prove that the pack contains individual bags.
Check the contents and packaging format of each item before working out how many treats you’ll have.
Portioning and packing the almonds yourself takes extra time and may require additional packaging.
Duyvis says its almonds are roasted without added oil or fat, but the ingredients also include salt and other flavourings.
Read the ingredients list for the exact variety and assess the preparation method and ingredients separately.
When you make up bags yourself, the original label won’t necessarily be visible to the adults handing out or supervising the treats.
Keep the packaging and make sure the product information is available. Also follow the storage advice for the product you’ve chosen.
You may need to look up the information again later if you haven’t kept the label.
The AH own-brand product reviewed is an unsalted, roasted almond variety in a 190 g pack. You can divide it into portions if almonds are suitable for the recipients.
Jumbo Unsalted Almonds was reviewed as a standard 140 g pack.
PLUS Natural and Unsalted Almonds was reviewed as a standard 200 g stand-up pouch for anyone who wants to make up their own portions.
Duyvis® Almonds Original is a roasted, savoury seasoned variety in a 125 g pack.
The ALDI Trader Joe’s varieties reviewed include unroasted almonds and roasted salted or smoke-flavoured varieties, in 200 g packs.
The Lidl variety reviewed is unroasted and listed in a 200 g pack.
These Joybuy options are suitable if you want to make up portions yourself. Check the packaging format rather than assuming it contains individual party bags, and only give almonds to children if they’re suitable for them and allowed at the setting.
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A good fit if you’re looking for an unsalted almond product to weigh out yourself; suitability for the children and setting should remain your priority.
The product description lists 100% almonds, 500 g and 0.00 g salt.
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An option for making up your own portions if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds; first check that almonds are suitable for the recipients.
The product title describes raw, unsalted almonds; the pack contains 200 g.
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The 160 g pack is worth considering when you’re putting portions together yourself, as long as almonds are suitable for the children and setting.
The product description lists 100% almond kernels and says they’re ready to eat.
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A good fit if you prefer a savoury, roasted variety and check the ingredients first; bear in mind how much you’ll need to portion out yourself.
The product title describes roasted, salted almonds. The description lists almonds and salt as ingredients and gives a pack size of 500 g.
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A smaller pack to consider if you’re looking for a roasted, salted variety and making up party portions yourself.
The description lists 97% almonds, sunflower oil, 0.7% salt and a resealable 150 g pack.
No. MDL Fonds warns that whole nuts are unsafe for children under four because of the risk of choking. Voedingscentrum also warns against whole nuts, so don’t give these children treats containing whole almonds.
Check the policy of the school or childcare setting in question. Voedingscentrum explains that it may specify which treats are and aren’t allowed. Don’t give out almonds if the setting doesn’t allow nuts.
No. Albert Heijn lists 25 g as the product’s serving size, not as individual advice for children. It also doesn’t mean the pack contains separate 25 g bags.
No. According to Albert Heijn, the 3-pack reviewed consists of separate standard products. It isn’t proof that the pack contains three individual small portions for children; check the packaging format and divide the almonds yourself if needed.
Keep the original packaging and make sure the ingredients, allergen and best-before information is available to the adults responsible. Also follow the storage advice for the variety you’ve chosen, and don’t make up a new shelf life for a homemade bag.
