Parents keeping allergies and school rules in mind
You want to know whether almonds fit your child’s diet and the arrangements in their class. Voedingscentrum lists almonds as an allergen, so first check whether almonds are allowed.
Who is this guide for?
Families looking for gluten-free or lactose-free options
Your child can eat almonds, but you’re looking for information about a specific dietary restriction. Check the claim for the exact substance you want to avoid; ‘unsalted’ or ‘pure’ doesn’t tell you that on its own.
Parents considering form, ingredients and storage
You’re comparing things such as ingredients and packaging, while also thinking about how your child eats. Voedingscentrum warns that whole nuts can cause choking; also follow the warnings and storage instructions on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, consider whether almonds fit your child’s diet and the school’s rules. Then you can compare the specific product claim, ingredients, form and packaging.
A specific gluten-free or lactose-free claim
Choose this option: if your child can eat almonds, the school allows them and you’re specifically looking for one of these claims.
Bear in mind: the claim applies to a specific characteristic; it doesn’t mean the almonds are free from nuts or other allergens.
Unsalted almonds
Choose this option: if almonds are allowed and an unsalted variety with a simple list of ingredients suits your needs.
Bear in mind: unsalted doesn’t automatically mean gluten-free, lactose-free or free from warnings about other nuts and peanuts.
A savoury roasted variety
Choose this option: if you’re after a savoury flavour and the ingredients and allergen information suit your child’s diet.
Bear in mind: a seasoning mix may contain salt and other ingredients. Assess this variety separately from an unsalted product.
Don’t pack almonds
Choose this option: if your child needs to avoid almonds or the school’s policy excludes nuts.
Bear in mind: only choose another snack if it suits your child’s individual diet and the arrangements you’ve made with the school.
| Consideration | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies and school rules | Whether almonds fit the diet; also check the school and class rules. | I first want to know whether almonds are suitable given allergies and school rules. Around 29% of consumers make suitability in this respect their top priority. |
| Specific free-from claim | Check the exact variety and the current claim for the substance you want to avoid. | If my child can eat almonds, information about gluten or lactose may be decisive. Around 24% of consumers prioritise a specific dietary claim like this. |
| Form and eating safely | Check the form and warnings on the packaging, and consider how your child eats. | I want to pack a form that suits the way my child can chew and eat. Around 18% of consumers put eating safely first. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and check whether salt, oil or a seasoning mix has been added. | When almonds are suitable, I may prefer a simple, unsalted product. Around 17% of consumers start by considering the ingredients. |
| Portioning and storage | Compare the pack size and follow the storage instructions after opening. | I want to know how much I’ll need to portion out myself and how to store the rest. Around 12% of consumers give this practical consideration the most weight. |
What to look out for when buying
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Assuming a free-from claim means free from all allergens
A product labelled gluten-free or lactose-free may still contain almonds and carry warnings about other nuts or peanuts.
Assess the specific claim and the allergen information separately. Voedingscentrum lists almonds as an allergen.
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Confusing ‘without oil’ with ‘unsalted’
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the savoury Duyvis Oven roasted variety has a seasoning mix that contains salt. That’s not the same as an unsalted variety.
Compare the ingredients of the exact variety; don’t base your choice on a description of how it’s prepared alone.
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Assuming the serving size on the pack is right for your child
The quantity shown on a pack doesn’t automatically tell you what portion or form is suitable for every child. Voedingscentrum warns that whole nuts can cause choking.
Choose a form and eating environment that suit your child, and follow the warnings on the packaging.
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Using a free-from claim to get around school rules
A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t change the fact that the product contains almonds. School rules can also vary from one school to another.
Check your own school’s rules before buying almonds for the lunchbox.
Brands and product information for reference
Albert Heijn
The product page for AH Amandelen ongebrand 450 g labels this specific variety gluten-free and lactose-free.
- The ingredients list includes almonds.
- The product contains almonds and may contain peanuts and other nuts; the product claim is not an independent analysis.
PLUS
PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten 200 g is an option if you’re looking for a simple, unsalted product.
- The product information lists almonds as an ingredient.
- The allergen information warns about peanuts and several other nuts; a single-ingredient list is not a general guarantee that the product is allergen-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo Ongezouten Amandelen 140 g comes in a smaller pack than the AH and PLUS products mentioned here.
- The product information states that it contains 99% almonds.
- The ingredients also include sunflower oil; the allergen information lists almonds and nuts and warns that the product may contain peanuts.
Duyvis
Duyvis offers separate unsalted and savoury roasted varieties, so check the exact one.
- The manufacturer lists almonds and sunflower oil as ingredients in Unsalted Almonds.
- According to Albert Heijn, the savoury Oven roasted variety has a seasoning mix containing salt and may contain wheat. The varieties are not interchangeable when assessing suitability for a diet.
ALDI
The ALDI product page mentioned here describes TRADER JOE'S Ongebrande amandelen 200 g.
- The product description states that these are unroasted almonds in a resealable pack.
- This packaging information alone doesn’t tell you whether the product is suitable for someone with a specific allergy.
Lidl
The product name Amandelen ongezouten indicates that this is an unsalted variety.
- The product name says ‘unsalted’.
- Unsalted doesn’t automatically mean gluten-free, lactose-free or nut-free.
Almond products at Joybuy
These products are almonds for situations where they fit your child’s diet and are allowed at school. Compare the exact product name, pack size and information on the current packaging; almonds are not a nut-free choice.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
An option if almonds are allowed and you’re looking for whole almond kernels.
The product description says it contains 100% almond kernels and is ready to eat. Whole nuts need extra care because of the risk of choking; Voedingscentrum warns about this.
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g'woon Almonds Raw & Unsalted 200 g
An option if almonds are allowed and you’re looking for a raw, unsalted variety.
The product name says ‘raw’ and ‘unsalted’. It contains almonds, so it isn’t a nut-free choice; check the current packaging for allergen information.
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Anatolia Badem Natural Amandel 500 g
A larger pack to consider if almonds fit your child’s diet and the school’s rules.
The product description lists almonds as the only ingredient and suggests using them as a snack or in cooking and baking. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Does lactose-free mean a snack is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy?
No. Lactose is milk sugar, whereas a cow’s milk allergy is an allergy to milk proteins. HagaZiekenhuis, for example, points out that lactose-free hard cheese may still contain cow’s milk protein. If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and relevant allergen information, not just the term ‘lactose-free’.
What does a gluten-free claim on a product mean?
A gluten-free claim relates to gluten, not to other allergens. The European Commission explains that Regulation (EU) 828/2014 sets conditions for claims such as ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’. So such a claim doesn’t mean the product is free from almonds, peanuts or milk protein.
Are almonds banned in schools across the Netherlands?
Check the rules at your child’s school and in their class; a school rule doesn’t automatically apply nationwide. For example, OBS De Venen publishes a rule against eating peanuts and nuts at that school. If in doubt, ask which rules apply to lunches and treats.
How can you prevent cross-contamination when preparing a lunchbox?
Make sure that traces of an allergen your child needs to avoid don’t get into their lunch through cutlery, sandwich fillings or food remnants. VieCuri gives the example of a knife with peanut butter on it being used in margarine. Agree practical arrangements with the school if food is prepared or shared there.
How should you store an opened pack of almonds?
Follow the storage and resealing instructions on the packaging for the exact variety. Albert Heijn says AH Amandelen ongebrand should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place, and that the pack should be closed securely after use; PLUS says to store its product in a dry, dark place. If you buy a larger pack, it’s also worth thinking about how to store the rest.