Only serve cashews to guests who can eat them: they are not nut-free or generally allergen-free. For a gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan option, check the information for the exact product; for example, Albert Heijn lists AH Unsalted Cashews 100 g as meeting these criteria. Also check the allergen warnings and take care to avoid cross-contamination when serving.
You want to check which ingredients and allergens matter to each guest in advance, rather than presenting one bowl as suitable for everyone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that allergen information is provided on pre-packed products.
You’re looking for a specific variety labelled gluten-free and want to prevent gluten from getting onto the snack when it’s served. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains how gluten can be transferred, for example, via a chopping board or knife.
You’re looking for a vegan cashew snack with a clear ingredients list and want to distinguish between unroasted, unsalted and products made with oil. Albert Heijn and PLUS list different ingredients for their specific varieties.
First, decide which dietary need matters most to your guests. Then consider flavour and pack size; these won’t make a product suitable if it doesn’t meet someone’s dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Check for the specific allergen | For the exact variety, check both ‘Contains’ and ‘May contain’, and confirm which allergen the guest needs to avoid. | If I need to avoid cashews, peanuts or another nut, I don’t want to rely on a gluten-free or lactose-free claim. Around 29% of consumers put avoiding the relevant allergen first. |
| Choosing a gluten-free product | Check the gluten-free claim and any warnings about cereals containing gluten on the exact pack. | If I need a gluten-free snack, I want the chosen variety to be clearly labelled and to avoid it coming into contact with gluten at the buffet. Around 24% of consumers prioritise confirmation that a product is gluten-free. |
| Vegan or lactose-free | Check the specific dietary claim and ingredients; don’t take lactose-free to mean suitable for someone with a milk allergy. | If I’m looking for a vegan or lactose-free option, I want that specific attribute to be stated for the product. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this type of recipe or dietary feature. |
| Serving safely | Prepare a separate portion and use clean, separate serving utensils; keep the packaging with the snack. | If I’ve chosen a product suitable for a gluten-free diet, I want to stop crumbs or shared utensils contaminating it during the party. Around 18% of consumers prioritise preventing cross-contamination when serving. |
| Flavour and quantity | Compare the weight in grams and check whether the variety is unroasted, unsalted or seasoned. | Once dietary needs are covered, I want to choose a flavour and quantity that work for my party. Around 11% of consumers pay most attention to flavour and pack size. |
A claim relating to a specific dietary need doesn’t mean cashews, peanuts or other listed nuts are absent. For example, Albert Heijn labels its 100 g variety gluten-free and lactose-free, but it also contains cashews and carries warnings about other nuts.
Check which substance the guest actually needs to avoid, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
Guests who need to avoid cashews or another listed substance may need a separate snack.
An unsalted variety may still be roasted, contain oil or carry allergen warnings. For example, Jumbo Unsalted Cashews 200 g lists sunflower oil; PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashews 200 g warns that it may contain peanuts.
Check the preparation method, ingredients and allergen warnings as separate product details.
Crumbs or shared utensils can transfer gluten to a snack. Choosing a suitable pack alone won’t prevent cross-contamination while serving.
Set aside a separate portion, use clean serving utensils and keep the original packaging with the snack.
Preparing a separate portion and clean serving utensils takes extra time.
The NVWA warning of 20 May 2026 applies to TRADER JOE’S Unsalted Cashews 170 g with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning does not automatically apply to all ALDI cashews. Do not eat a pack that exactly matches the affected variety, even if its best-before date has passed.
Before using a pack you’ve kept at home, compare the brand, product name, weight, barcode and best-before date with the warning.
Duyvis describes its Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil, and its Cashews Sea Salt as seasoned with sea salt. These are the manufacturer’s descriptions, not general claims that the products are allergen-free.
Albert Heijn describes AH Unsalted Cashews 100 g as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashews 200 g is an unsalted variety containing 99% cashews and sunflower oil.
Lidl sells cashews under the Alesto brand and also lists Way To Go cashews with a Fairtrade positioning.
ALDI Netherlands lists TRADER JOE’S Roasted Unsalted Cashews 250 g as a specific variety.
PLUS Unsalted, Unroasted Cashews 200 g is a plain variety that lists cashews as an ingredient; PLUS describes it as vegan.
These Joybuy products are cashews for guests who can eat cashews. Information varies by product and doesn’t confirm that any product is generally allergen-free; always check the latest packaging and your guests’ needs before serving.
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An option for people who can eat cashews and want to check the listed ingredients.
The ingredients list states 100% cashew kernels; pack size 160 g. Check the latest packaging for allergen warnings.
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This seasoned variety is suitable only if cashews and the listed allergens are safe for your guests.
The product information says the cashews are oven-roasted without added fat or oil and seasoned with sea salt. The allergen information lists cashews, gluten, wheat and peanuts; check the latest packaging for the exact warnings.
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A salted cashew variety for guests who can eat cashews and for whom the ingredients are suitable.
The ingredients list states 98% cashews, sunflower oil and 1% salt; pack size 150 g. Check the packaging for allergen information.
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An option for people who can eat cashews and are looking for roasted, unsalted nuts.
The title describes the nuts as roasted and unsalted; the ingredients list includes cashews. Check the latest packaging for allergen warnings.
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This larger pack is for people who can eat cashews and find the listed ingredients suitable.
The ingredients list includes cashew kernels and salt; pack size 500 g. Check the latest packaging for allergen warnings.
No. Cashews are themselves a tree-nut allergen, as the Food Allergy Foundation explains. So a gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t make cashews nut-free or suitable for everyone with a food allergy.
No, treat lactose intolerance and milk allergy as separate issues. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between food intolerance and food allergy. For a guest with a milk allergy, check the relevant allergen information and don’t rely on the lactose-free claim alone.
Use clean, separate serving utensils and keep the portion away from bread crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains how gluten can get onto gluten-free food via, for example, a chopping board or knife. Serving the snack separately helps manage that risk at the buffet.
It’s a warning that a substance may be present unintentionally due to cross-contamination; it isn’t an ingredient that has been deliberately added. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been checking compliance with the rules on cross-contamination warnings during inspections. Take the substance listed into account when considering your guest’s dietary needs, even for a plain variety.
Don’t assume that whole cashews are suitable as a snack for children. Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that young children can choke on nuts; follow the warning on the pack you choose.
