If you want to offer a snack that genuinely contains less fat, compare the fat content per 100 g: unsalted or made without added oil does not automatically mean reduced-fat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a handful of unsalted nuts as a possible snack for children aged 4 to 12; only choose cashews if allergies, chewing ability and school or childcare arrangements allow. A smaller portion changes the amount you offer, not the composition of the cashews.
You want less fat in the product itself, not just packaging that says unsalted or oven-roasted. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, and assess any reduction claim separately from the preparation method.
You’re looking for a snack for a school-age child and want to be able to control how much you offer. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists unsalted nuts as an option for children aged 4 to 12; also consider whether your child can eat nuts safely.
You want to check first whether cashews are suitable under any allergy requirements and the arrangements at your child’s school or childcare setting. Check the specific packaging and ask the relevant school or childcare provider about its rules.
If your main priority is less fat in the product itself, start with the nutritional information per 100 g and the evidence behind any reduction claim. If the amount is what matters most, consider portion control separately.
The percentages below relate to consumers considering cashews as an after-school snack.
| Concern | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuinely less fat | Compare the total fat per 100 g and check what any reduction claim is based on. ‘Unsalted’ and ‘made without added oil’ do not, by themselves, prove that the product contains less fat. | I want the product itself to contain less fat, not just to serve a smaller portion. Consumers whose top priority is reducing fat make up around 28%. |
| Safety and suitability | Read the allergen information and warnings on the packaging, and check the arrangements with the school or childcare provider. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against whole nuts and advises supervising children while they eat. | I need to consider allergies, chewing ability or the rules at the snack location before giving my child cashews. Consumers who prioritise suitability and safety make up around 22%. |
| Amount per snack occasion | Check the portion size and nutritional values on the packaging. A portion size is product information, not personal advice for every child. | I want to prepare a suitable amount for after school in advance, without suggesting that a smaller portion changes the product’s composition. Consumers who prioritise portion control make up around 22%. |
| Salt and added flavourings | Check the salt per 100 g and read the ingredients list; don’t rely only on words such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘oven-roasted’ on the front of the pack. | I prefer an unsalted product and want to know what other ingredients have been added. Consumers who prioritise simplicity and unsalted products make up around 17%. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and follow the storage instructions on the label. Seal the pack securely after use if instructed to do so. | I want to buy an amount that will suit several snack occasions and be able to store the packaging properly afterwards. Consumers who prioritise packaging convenience make up around 11%. |
These descriptions don’t answer the same question as a proven reduction in fat content. For example, Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil; that preparation method alone does not prove a reduction in fat.
Compare the fat per 100 g and assess any reduction claim separately from the preparation method and salt content.
Offering a different amount does not change the fat content per 100 g. For the claim ‘low fat’ on solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Describe portion control as a choice about the amount you offer. Don’t use ‘low fat’ to describe a smaller portion.
Allergies, the ability to chew nuts safely and the school or childcare provider’s arrangements can all determine whether cashews are suitable for that snack occasion. The rules at one school do not automatically apply elsewhere.
Check the allergen information, consider your child’s chewing ability and ask the relevant school or childcare provider about its arrangements.
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 does not automatically apply to other packs or varieties.
Compare the product name, pack size, barcode and best-before date with the warning. Do not eat the pack covered by the warning.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted and made without added oil.
AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g provides specific information about ingredients, nutritional values and portion size.
Jumbo Cashewnoten Ongezouten 200 g is a standard unsalted variety with stated nutritional values.
PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g is a standard, unroasted variety.
Lidl is the retailer selling the unsalted cashews listed in a 500 g pack.
ALDI is the retailer; the listed 250 g pack of roasted, unsalted cashews carries the product brand name Trader Joe’s.
No. For the claim ‘low fat’ on solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. A reduction claim compares a product with similar products; the Dutch Bakery Centre’s industry guidance specifies at least 30% less of the nutrient in question. That does not automatically make a product low-fat, and the basis for the claim needs to be assessed for the specific product.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a handful of unsalted nuts as one possible snack for children aged 4 to 12. Also consider allergies and chewing ability: make sure your child sits calmly while eating and stay nearby.
Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the pack you’re buying. The NVWA states that allergen labelling is mandatory for 14 allergens and that allergens must be listed in the ingredients list. If your child has a relevant allergy, also discuss their individual requirements with the school or childcare provider.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. For the AH Cashewnoten ongezouten product reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack securely after use.
