Choose cashew nuts only if you can eat cashew; they are not a suitable lunch snack if you have a cashew allergy. The Food Allergy Foundation points out that someone with an allergy to one type of nut may also react to other nuts, so check the warnings on the exact pack. If you avoid gluten or lactose, check the specific free-from claim and ingredients. For an unsalted snack, also look at how the nuts are prepared and the portion size.
You look for the ingredient you avoid and check the exact pack. Albert Heijn labels its 170 g unsalted cashew nuts as gluten-free and lactose-free; these claims are not a general guarantee that a product is free from all allergens.
You’re looking for unsalted cashew nuts and also check how they’re prepared and what’s in them. PLUS lists cashew nuts as the only ingredient in its 200 g unroasted variety; other varieties reviewed contain sunflower oil.
You want to take a measured portion with you and save the rest of the pack for later. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as one handful in its nutrition table for cashew nuts; Albert Heijn gives the same portion size for its specific 170 g variety.
First, check which ingredient you avoid and what it says on the exact pack. Then look at the salt content, ingredients and the portion you want to take with you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary suitability | Check the free-from claim, as well as the ingredients and allergen information on the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. | I want to know whether this particular variety suits my dietary needs and what warnings apply. Around 38% of consumers put dietary suitability first. |
| Choosing unsalted | Compare the unsalted claim and the salt content per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends unsalted nuts. | For an everyday snack, I prefer unsalted nuts; I consider added oil separately. Around 23% of consumers say unsalted food is their top buying priority. |
| A portion to take on the go | Compare the net weight with the portion you want to take with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as one handful in its nutrition table for cashew nuts. | I want to take a measured portion with me and save the rest for another time. Around 23% of consumers give convenience on the go the highest priority. |
| Ingredients | Read the full ingredients list. PLUS lists only cashew nuts in its 200 g unroasted variety; Jumbo lists cashew and sunflower oil in its 200 g variety. | If I want to avoid extra ingredients, I compare the full list rather than relying on the product name alone. Around 16% of consumers give simple ingredients the highest priority. |
A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t mean a product contains no cashew or other allergens. Cashew itself is an allergen.
Check which ingredient the claim refers to, and read the ingredients list and warnings on the exact pack. If you have a cashew allergy, don’t choose a cashew product.
Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy is an allergy to milk proteins. So a lactose-free claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk-protein allergy.
If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information, and follow the advice that applies to you.
Preparation methods and ingredients vary between varieties. PLUS lists only cashew nuts in its 200 g unroasted variety; AH and Jumbo list sunflower oil among the ingredients of the varieties reviewed.
Check whether a product is unsalted, unroasted or contains added oil as separate characteristics on the pack.
A pack may contain several portions. Albert Heijn gives a portion size of 25 g for its 170 g unsalted cashew nuts.
Measure out a portion in advance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as one handful in its general nutrition table for cashew nuts; this is a reference, not personalised dietary advice.
Albert Heijn’s product page describes AH Unsalted Cashew Nuts 170 g as gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan. These claims apply to this specific variety.
PLUS offers several unsalted varieties: an unroasted option containing only cashew nuts, and a roasted Fairtrade variety.
The 200 g unsalted cashew nuts contain added sunflower oil; Jumbo also sells a separate 130 g pack.
Duyvis offers Cashews Sea Salt and Cashews Original, among other products. These savoury varieties have different ingredients and preparation methods.
Lidl lists cashew nuts in its Alesto range and presents Way To Go cashew nuts as a Fairtrade option.
ALDI’s range page lists TRADER JOE'S Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts in a 250 g pack.
These Joybuy products are different varieties of cashew nuts, with a range of flavours, pack sizes and preparation methods. To check whether a product suits your diet, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack; cashew nuts are not suitable if you have a cashew allergy.
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This variety may suit you if you’re looking for cashew nuts to snack on while out and about and the ingredients meet your needs.
The product name states Original Flavour and a pack size of 160 g. Check the allergen information on the pack; cashew itself is an allergen.
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This roasted, unsalted variety may suit you if you’re looking for unsalted cashew nuts for a snack.
The product name states that these are roasted cashew nuts and that the pack contains 200 g. If you have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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This variety may suit you if you’re looking for salted cashew nuts and don’t need an unsalted option.
The product name states that these are salted cashew nuts and that the pack contains 150 g. The pack is not labelled as unsalted.
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The 500 g pack may suit you if you’re looking for cashew nuts to enjoy on several occasions; measure out a portion to take with you.
The product name states that these are cashew nuts with purple skin, 180 grade, and that the pack contains 500 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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This smaller pack may suit you if you’re looking for a portion of salted cashew nuts to take on the go.
The product name states that these are cashew nuts with skin and that the pack contains 120 g. The product description lists gluten, wheat and peanuts as allergens; if you avoid these ingredients, check the information on the pack you receive.
No. Cashew itself is a tree-nut allergen. The Food Allergy Foundation points out that someone with an allergy to one type of nut may also react to other nuts, so don’t assume a product is automatically suitable; read the warnings on the pack.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy is an allergy to milk proteins. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains this distinction; if you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information rather than relying on a lactose-free claim alone.
No. Gluten-free is a regulated claim under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014. The NVWA explains that a cereal containing gluten, such as wheat, must still be named on the label even when a product meets the requirements for a gluten-free claim. So a gluten-free label does not mean a product is suitable for someone with a wheat allergy.
Measure out a portion at home and seal the rest of the pack carefully, following the instructions on the label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 25 g as one handful in its general nutrition table for cashew nuts; Albert Heijn gives 25 g for its specific 170 g unsalted variety. This is a practical guide, not personalised dietary advice.
The NVWA warning of 20 May 2026 concerned TRADER JOE'S Unsalted Cashew Nuts 170 g with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. Do not eat that specific pack. The best-before date has passed, but that does not make a pack from the warning that may still be at home safe; the warning does not automatically apply to other varieties or batches.
