Households with regular snack times
If you regularly serve cashew nuts after school, a larger pack may be practical. Choose a pack size that matches how much you use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Who is this relevant for?
Parents looking for an unsalted option
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, unsalted nuts are included in the Dutch Wheel of Five. Also check how they’re prepared and, for young children, bear in mind the recommended way to serve them.
Families with school or allergy rules to consider
If your child has a diagnosed allergy or their school or after-school club has rules in place, a snack that’s suitable at home won’t necessarily be suitable to take in or share. Check the label and ask about the rules at the relevant location.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide which type you want, then choose a pack size that matches how much you’ll actually use. Separately, check that the form is suitable for the child’s age, read the allergen information and check any school rules.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight of the same type and choose a size that matches how much your household eats. | If I serve cashew nuts regularly, I want a pack that suits how much we need to keep in stock. Around 36% of consumers give priority to choosing a suitable pack size. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Read the product name and ingredients list. Unroasted, roasted and made without added oil are different characteristics. | If you’re looking for an unsalted snack, you’ll want to be able to identify the ingredients on the label. For around 29% of consumers, an unsalted option and clear ingredients are the top priorities. |
| How much you use and storage | Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging, including after opening. | If we only eat cashew nuts occasionally, I don’t want to open more than we’ll use. Around 21% of consumers prioritise choosing a suitable amount and storing it conveniently. |
| Form and allergens | Check the allergen information, that the form is suitable for the child’s age and any rules set by their school or after-school club. | If you need to take an allergy, a young child or rules at a particular location into account, suitability is essential. Around 14% of consumers say these considerations are their top buying priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming unsalted means suitable for every child
Unsalted doesn’t mean allergen-free or remove the risk of choking. Cashew is a tree nut and remains an allergen.
Consider the way the nuts are served and any allergy requirements separately from the flavour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter or peanut butter with no added sugar or salt, rather than whole nuts, for children up to and including the age of 4.
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Automatically choosing the biggest bag
A larger pack means keeping more in stock at once and portioning it yourself. Whether it’s practical depends on how much you actually use and the storage instructions.
Compare the net weight of the packs you’re considering and choose an amount that suits your household. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a cool, dark and dry place; also follow the specific instructions on the packaging.
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Treating a sea salt variety as unsalted cashew nuts
Duyvis says its Cashews Sea Salt are flavoured with sea salt. This is a different variety from unsalted cashew nuts.
Read the exact product name and ingredients list before choosing a bag for a regular snack.
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Assuming a snack can be taken to school
Schools and after-school clubs may have their own rules because of allergies. A policy at one location won’t necessarily apply at another.
Before taking in or sharing a snack, ask about the rules at the relevant school or after-school club.
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Assuming a specific product recall applies to other packs
The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 concerns 170 g packs of Trader Joe’s unsalted cashew nuts with barcode 2003020120930 and a best-before date of 23-09-2026. The warning mentions possible metal fragments.
Do not eat the cashew nuts if the pack has exactly that barcode and best-before date. The warning applies to that specific product and date combination, not to all ALDI cashew nuts.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Terra unroasted cashew nuts in a 500 g pack.
- The product listing clearly states that they’re unroasted and gives the pack size.
- This product listing isn’t a brand-wide comparison of flavour or suitability.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists unsalted cashew nuts in a 500 g value pack, as well as a smaller pack.
- You can choose between a larger or smaller pack in this range.
- Choose a pack size that matches how much you use; a larger pack isn’t automatically more practical.
ALDI
ALDI’s Trader Joe’s range includes 250 g packs of roasted unsalted cashew nuts, as well as a 500 g range with salted and unsalted options.
- The products listed come in different pack sizes and varieties.
- Check the exact product name and packaging. A warning about one specific pack doesn’t apply to the whole range.
PLUS
PLUS lists 200 g packs of unsalted, unroasted cashew nuts and a 200 g unsalted option with a Fairtrade label.
- The product names make the preparation method and label easy to identify.
- The Fairtrade label on one product doesn’t, by itself, tell you which pack size suits how much you use.
Lidl
Lidl sells cashew nuts under the Alesto brand. A published product description for Alesto roasted unsalted cashew nuts lists a 500 g pack with no added salt or oil.
- The product description gives the preparation method, pack size and named additions.
- The description isn’t an independent assessment of flavour or health, and doesn’t necessarily apply to all Alesto products.
Duyvis
Duyvis lists a Cashews Sea Salt variety which, according to the manufacturer, is flavoured with sea salt.
- The manufacturer clearly identifies it as a sea salt variety.
- This salted variety isn’t the same as unsalted cashew nuts for a regular snack.
Cashew nuts at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products includes smaller packs and a few larger options. Check the preparation method and ingredients on each pack to see whether it suits your snack time.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Cashew Nuts 160 g
The 160 g pack may suit a smaller snack occasion.
The product name gives the pack size as 160 g. If you’re looking for a specific variety, check the ingredients and preparation method on the packaging.
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g'woon roasted unsalted cashew nuts 200 g
This option may suit you if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted cashew nuts in a smaller pack.
The product name states that they’re 200 g, roasted and unsalted.
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Three Squirrels Purple-Shell Cashews 500 g
The 500 g pack may suit a household that serves cashew nuts regularly.
The product name states that it’s 500 g. Check the ingredients if you prefer unsalted cashew nuts.
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BE&CHEERY Premium Cashews with Purple Skin 500 g
This 500 g pack may suit households where several people eat cashew nuts regularly.
The product name states that it’s 500 g. Check the ingredients on the packaging if you’re specifically looking for unsalted cashew nuts.
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Duyvis Dry Roasted Cashews 125 g
The 125 g pack may suit you if you’re looking for a smaller amount.
The product information lists salt, so don’t choose this variety if you’re specifically looking for unsalted cashew nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is the biggest pack always the most convenient?
No, it depends on how many cashew nuts your household actually uses. Choose a pack size that matches how often you eat them, and follow the storage instructions for the pack you choose.
How can I work out how many snack times a bag will last?
Divide the net weight by the amount you actually serve at each snack time. Don’t automatically use a general adult portion as a guide for a child.
How should I store an opened pack of cashew nuts?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘store in a cool place’ means somewhere cool, dark and dry. Check separately for any instructions about storage after opening.
Can children take cashew nuts to school or an after-school club?
Check the rules at the relevant location before sending in or sharing cashew nuts. For example, OBS De Venen publishes rules for its younger classes because of diagnosed allergies. This policy doesn’t automatically apply at other locations.
What should I do with the recalled 170 g Trader Joe’s cashew nuts?
Do not eat the contents if the barcode is 2003020120930 and the best-before date is 23-09-2026. The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 concerns possible metal fragments and applies to that specific product and date combination.