If you want to pack less fat, compare the fat content per 100 g as well as the amount that actually goes into the lunchbox. A smaller portion reduces the amount you pack, not the fat content per 100 g. Unsalted, unroasted and with no added oil are separate characteristics and don’t prove that a product is lower in fat. For an everyday nut snack, choosing an unsalted option can be a separate consideration: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five, but this is not a claim about reduced fat.
You want to pack a snack with less fat, so you look for the nutritional information on the label rather than relying on words such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘oven-roasted’. Compare the fat content per 100 g and check the exact variety.
You want to check first whether cashew nuts are suitable for the pupil and comply with the school’s policies. The NVWA describes allergens as substances that can make consumers seriously ill, so check the label and the school’s current policies.
You’re looking for an unsalted option that you can portion out from a pack. Keep the pack size, the amount you pack and the storage instructions on the label in mind as separate considerations.
First compare the fat content per 100 g, then check the ingredients, allergens and the amount you pack. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. For a reduced-fat claim, also check the relevant reference and basis for comparison.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare the fat per 100 g of the exact variety; consider the portion separately. | I mainly want to pack less fat, so I compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Around 36% of consumers demonstrably rank reducing fat as their top purchasing priority. |
| Allergens and school policies | Check the full allergen label and find out what policies apply at school. | If there’s an allergy or a school policy to consider, I first want to know whether cashews are suitable. Around 29% of consumers put allergy considerations and suitability for school first. |
| Choosing unsalted | Check the ingredients and salt content separately; ‘unsalted’ doesn’t tell you whether oil has been added. | For my everyday lunch snack, I mainly look for an unsalted option, regardless of any reduced-fat claim. Around 21% of consumers give this preference top priority. |
| Packing and storage | Check the net weight and storage instructions; decide for yourself how much to pack. | When packing lunch every day, I want a pack that’s practical to portion and store. Around 14% of consumers give ease of packing and pack choice top priority. |
This could lead you to choose an option that doesn’t match your main purchasing priority. The AH variety checked lists 50 g of fat per 100 g, the Jumbo variety 48.6 g and the PLUS variety 46.5 g; these figures apply to the varieties named.
Check fat per 100 g, ingredients and salt as separate characteristics. Don’t use descriptions of how a product is made as a substitute for nutritional information.
Packs of 170, 200 or 250 g are purchase quantities. The amount of fat you pack also depends on how much you take with you.
Decide in advance how much to pack and use the nutritional information for the exact variety in your calculations. A portion used for calculation isn’t personal dietary advice.
Fat content and allergens are different product characteristics. The way a product is prepared doesn’t change the fact that it may contain cashew as an ingredient.
Check for relevant allergies and school policies before choosing based on fat content or preparation method. Always check the label on the exact pack.
Duyvis Cashews Original is an option if you’re looking for oven-roasted cashew nuts with no added oil.
AH Unsalted Cashew Nuts 170 g is a specific option to assess for its salt, ingredients and nutritional information.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashew Nuts 200 g is worth considering if you want to portion out an unsalted snack yourself.
Lidl features cashew nuts in its Alesto range, including Way To Go cashew nuts.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s Roasted Unsalted Cashew Nuts 250 g.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashew Nuts 200 g is suitable if you’re looking for a simple ingredients list with no added oil.
No. A smaller amount contains less fat than a larger amount of the same product, but it doesn’t change the fat content per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.
No. For unsalted cashew nuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 12.2 g of fat and 2.1 g of saturated fat per 25 g handful. These are general product values, not personal advice or values that apply to every pack.
If a cashew allergy has been diagnosed, don’t pack cashew nuts. For another snack, check the ingredients and allergen warning on the exact pack; a statement about fat content says nothing about whether it contains cashew.
Not necessarily; follow the instructions on the pack. The AH variety checked says to store it in a cool, dark and dry place and to seal the pack tightly. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘store in a cool place’ doesn’t in itself mean that a product needs to go in the fridge.
The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 concerns Trader Joe’s Unsalted Cashew Nuts 170 g with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal particles. That best-before date has passed; don’t eat a pack that exactly matches the warning. The warning doesn’t automatically apply to other packs or the entire ALDI range.
