Only choose cashew nuts if they’re suitable for the children and allowed by the school or childcare setting. Don’t give whole nuts to children under 4; older children can choke on them too. Then work out how much you need and compare the exact pack size, ingredients and variety, so you don’t end up with more than you can store or use.
First check whether nuts and party treats are suitable for the children and allowed by the school. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts can cause choking, including in older children; schools may have their own rules about treats, according to the Association for Public Education.
The net weight can help you work out how many packs you’ll need. Choose the quantity based on the number of party bags, and remember to factor in any leftovers.
Check the exact product description and ingredients: unsalted, unroasted and roasted refer to different characteristics. Also check the information on the pack you’re actually buying.
First check whether handing out treats is suitable for the children and allowed by the school. Then decide which variety and quantity you want, and plan how you’ll portion and store the nuts.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Age, allergies and school rules | Check the rules and the allergen information on the exact pack. Don’t give whole nuts to children under 4. | When I’m putting together treats for children, I check their age, allergies and school rules first; around 31% of consumers put suitability and safety first. |
| How much you need | Calculate the total amount you need based on the number of bags and how much you want to portion into each one; compare this with the net weight. | When I’m filling several bags, I want to buy enough without having lots left over; around 31% of consumers prioritise buying the right amount. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Read the ingredients and salt information; check whether the pack says unsalted, unroasted or roasted. | When I’m specifically looking for an unsalted variety, I check the exact pack and ingredients; around 19% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Portioning and storage | Check whether it’s a bulk pack or individual portions. Store any leftovers in a cool, dry place in a sealed container, following the instructions on the pack. | When I make party bags myself, I want to know how much time portioning and storage will take; around 19% of consumers prioritise convenient portioning and minimal leftovers. |
Unsalted nuts are still whole nuts. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that they can cause choking in young children and older children alike.
First check the children’s ages, allergies and the rules at the school or childcare setting. If in doubt, ask which treats are allowed.
A large pack doesn’t automatically mean there’s the right amount for the number of party bags you want to fill.
Work out the total amount you need and compare it with the net weight of the pack.
A bulk pack may take extra preparation, and you may have nuts left over that need to be stored properly.
A bag of cashew nuts isn’t automatically a set of individually wrapped treats.
Check the type of packaging and allow for the time and materials you’ll need to portion the nuts yourself.
You’ll need party bags if you’re filling them yourself; store any leftovers in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Unroasted, unsalted, roasted and made without added oil are different product descriptions. Ingredients can vary between products.
Check the exact product name and ingredients list on the pack; don’t assume a feature of one variety applies to another.
Worth considering for oven-roasted cashew snacks, including a salted 125 g option listed by Jumbo.
The range includes unsalted cashew nuts and AH Terra unroasted cashew nuts; the Terra pack is listed as 500 g.
Lists unsalted cashew nuts in 200 g and 500 g packs.
Has a product page for unsalted cashew nuts and also lists Alesto and Way To Go cashew products.
Sells Trader Joe’s cashew nuts, with product pages for a 250 g roasted, unsalted variety and 500 g varieties.
Lists unsalted Fairtrade cashew nuts and unsalted unroasted cashew nuts, both in 200 g bags.
These Joybuy products are packs of cashew nuts that you can portion yourself; check the quantity and salt information for each variety.
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A bulk pack to portion yourself if a salted variety suits your party bag plans.
The product information lists cashews and salt as ingredients and gives a net weight of 500 g.
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The 500 g pack may be suitable if you’re making several party bags yourself and are looking for a salted variety.
The product information lists cashew kernels and salt as ingredients.
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The smaller pack may suit you if you need fewer cashew nuts to portion yourself.
The product information lists 160 g, cashew kernels as an ingredient and 0.028 g of salt per 100 g.
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A 200 g pack to portion yourself if you’re looking for a roasted variety described as unsalted.
The product information lists cashew nuts as an ingredient. Reseal the pack securely after opening and follow the storage advice.
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The smaller pack may suit you if you only need a limited amount and a salted variety fits your plans.
The product information lists 125 g, 98% cashews and a seasoning mix containing salt. The allergen information lists gluten, wheat and peanuts.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole nuts or peanuts to children under 4 because of the choking risk. Only choose a treat if it’s also allowed by the school or childcare setting.
No. Turning 4 doesn’t mean whole nuts are suitable for every child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that older children can choke too, and recommends chopping nuts into pieces as a precaution.
No. Schools can set their own rules about treats. The Association for Public Education explains that schools can decide what pupils are allowed to hand out for their birthdays. So check the rules at the school in question.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack and keep the original label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the information requirements for businesses; its guidance doesn’t establish which labelling requirements apply to a parent filling party bags privately.
Multiply the number of bags by the amount you want to portion into each one, then divide the total by the net weight of one pack. Round up to the next whole pack. The amount you choose is for planning purposes, not a recommended portion for children.
Store nuts in a sealed container in a cool, dry place and follow the instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts dry and well sealed; the 500 g Jumbo pack also recommends storing them in a cool, dark place.
Do not eat the 170 g pack of Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashews with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. On 20 May 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority warned that this specific pack may contain metal fragments; the warning doesn’t apply to all Trader Joe’s cashew nuts. For further instructions, follow the information from ALDI included with the warning.
