Travellers who need to avoid allergens
If you need to avoid cashews or other allergens, check both the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces. The NVWA explains what allergen information must be provided for food products.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Travellers who eat gluten-free
Look for the gluten-free label on the packaging of the specific variety; don’t rely on a plain appearance or a short ingredients list alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains how to identify gluten-free products.
Travellers who plan their snacks in advance
Bringing a snack with you can be useful if you’ll have to rely on what’s available along the way. Schiphol lists AH locations in Plaza, but that doesn’t tell you which products are in stock at any given time. Ask for information if you have questions about unpackaged products.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out what you need to avoid. Then compare the label and warnings on the exact packaging, and only after that consider the flavour and pack size.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding the right allergen | Check whether cashew is listed in the ingredients and read any warnings about peanuts and other nuts. | If I need to avoid cashews or other nuts, I won’t choose a cashew product. I’ll also check for cross-contamination warnings; around 39% of consumers prioritise avoiding allergens. |
| Gluten-free information | Look for the gluten-free label on the exact packaging and read the other allergen information. | If you need to avoid gluten, don’t rely on a plain appearance or a short ingredients list. Around 23% of consumers prioritise gluten-free information. |
| Distinguishing lactose from milk protein | Work out whether you need to avoid lactose or milk protein, and check the relevant product information. | If I’m lactose intolerant, I look for information about lactose. If I have a cow’s milk allergy, information about milk ingredients is also important. Around 15% of consumers prioritise avoiding lactose. |
| Packing suitable snacks for your trip | Choose an amount that suits your journey, and follow the storage and resealing instructions after opening. | If you’re mainly planning ahead for your journey, choose a convenient snack that meets your needs. Around 23% of consumers focus mainly on travel convenience and packaging. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a ‘free from’ label means free from all allergens
A gluten-free or lactose-free label doesn’t mean the product is free from cashews or other allergens. Cashews are an allergen in their own right.
Check what you need to avoid, then read the ingredients and any relevant warnings on the packaging.
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Assuming vegan, plain or oil-free means allergen-safe
These characteristics tell you nothing about possible cross-contamination. For example, the checked PLUS variety states that the product may contain peanuts.
Use these characteristics as additional preferences only; they’re no substitute for checking the allergen information.
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Applying a recall notice to all cashew nuts
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerns Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashews, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning relates to possible metal fragments and applies to the packaging specified, not automatically to all cashew nuts.
Do not eat any packaging that matches this warning. Compare the brand, variety, barcode and best-before date with the warning.
Brands and varieties to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis offers cashew varieties with savoury flavours, among others. The manufacturer describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
- The product information for the Duyvis Oven roasted salted variety mentions a seasoning blend.
- The warning for this variety mentions possible traces of wheat, peanuts and other nuts; the manufacturer’s description is not an independent taste assessment.
Albert Heijn
The 100 g AH Unsalted Cashews are a specific variety to consider if you pay attention to dietary claims.
- Albert Heijn labels this variety gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan.
- These claims don’t automatically apply to other AH products. This variety contains cashews, and the product information warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts. Schiphol lists AH locations in Plaza, but this doesn’t confirm current product availability.
Jumbo
The 200 g Unsalted Cashews are a variety to consider if you’re looking for a simple ingredient list.
- Jumbo lists 99% cashew nuts and sunflower oil.
- The product information warns that it may contain nuts and peanuts. Unsalted doesn’t mean allergen-free.
Lidl
Alesto is the relevant nut range; Lidl also lists Way To Go cashew nuts, which are positioned as Fairtrade.
- The brand and product range information gives you a starting point for comparing varieties.
- Fairtrade information doesn’t prove anything about allergens or dietary suitability. Check ‘free from’ labels on the individual packaging.
ALDI
ALDI lists roasted, unsalted Trader Joe’s cashew nuts in a 250 g pack.
- The product description makes the preparation and pack size clear.
- Roasted and unsalted are not allergen claims. The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerns a separate 170 g Trader Joe’s variety; check the exact packaging against the warning.
PLUS
The 200 g unroasted, unsalted cashew nuts are a variety to consider if you’re looking for a short ingredients list.
- PLUS lists cashew nuts as an ingredient.
- The product information warns that it may contain peanuts. A vegan label doesn’t replace this allergen information.
Cashew nuts at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are cashew nuts for anyone looking for a snack to take along. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety; none of these products is suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
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Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts, 160 g
An option if you want to plan ahead and bring a simple cashew snack; not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
Ingredients: 100% cashew kernels.
Pack size: 160 g. Reseal after opening.
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Verse Klassenoten Salted Cashew Nuts, 150 g
A cashew snack to take with you if the ingredients and warnings suit your diet; not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
The product information lists cashew nuts as an ingredient and recommends resealing the pack securely after opening.
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g’woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted, 200 g
An option if you’re looking for roasted cashews as a snack; not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
Check the current packaging for the ingredients and warnings relevant to your diet.
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Be&Cheery Cashews with Purple Skin, 180 grade, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat cashew snack; not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
The product information lists cashew kernels and salt as ingredients. Check the packaging for any warnings relevant to your diet.
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Xue Ji Chaohuo Salted Cashews with Skin, 120 g
An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat cashew snack; not suitable if you need to avoid cashews.
Ingredients: cashews and salt. Pack size: 120 g. Store in a cool, dry place.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat a gluten-free cashew variety if I have a cashew allergy?
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t change the fact that cashews are an allergen. If you have a cashew allergy, choose a different snack that meets your allergen requirements.
Does lactose-free mean suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy?
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy relates to milk proteins. If you have a cow’s milk allergy, check for milk ingredients and relevant allergen information, not just a lactose-free label.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on packaging?
It warns that an allergen may be present, for example due to cross-contamination. Read the warning alongside the ingredients list and follow your own allergen requirements.
Who should I ask about allergens in an unpackaged snack at Schiphol?
Before buying, ask a member of staff which allergens the product contains, and ask separately about possible cross-contamination. The NVWA explains the information requirements for unpackaged food; Schiphol says that restaurants have an allergen list.
Can I take cashew nuts through airport security?
Schiphol’s published 100ml rule applies to liquids, gels, creams and pastes. Check the rules if you’re taking cashew paste or spread with you; whole cashew nuts are different. Also check your destination’s import rules, as hand luggage rules don’t grant permission to bring food into another country.