If you want cashews with less fat, choose a variety only when the claim and comparison with regular cashews are substantiated for the exact pack. Unsalted or made without added oil doesn’t automatically mean lower fat; compare the nutrition information per 100 g too, and decide on your portion in advance. If less salt is your main priority, choose based on the salt content and treat it as a separate consideration.
Compare the fat content of the exact variety on a like-for-like basis. The European Commission explains the threshold for the ‘low fat’ claim, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre outlines the requirements for a claim such as ‘reduced’.
Check the nutrition information for the amount you actually eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general information about the energy in cashews; Lidl Netherlands describes a multipack with 25 g portions.
Check the salt content, ingredients and allergen information on the pack. Unsalted doesn’t in itself say anything about the fat content; the NVWA explains how allergens are shown on labels.
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for less fat, a measured portion, less salt, a particular preparation method or clear allergen information. These features aren’t interchangeable.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare the fat per 100 g for the exact variety and check what any claim is based on. | I want to know whether a variety really contains less fat, rather than simply being prepared differently; around 31% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Energy and portion size | Check the kcal per 100 g and work this out for the amount you plan to serve. | I want to decide in advance how much I’ll eat, so I check the energy in my portion; around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Salt | Read the salt content and ingredients list; don’t infer the fat content from the word ‘unsalted’. | If less salt is my main priority, I compare the salt information separately from the fat claim; around 19% of consumers choose based on this need. |
| Preparation method | Check whether the nuts are unroasted, roasted or savoury-seasoned, and which ingredients have been added. | I’m looking for a particular flavour or preparation for a get-together and want to know what else is in the pack besides cashews; around 13% of consumers put this first. |
| Allergens | Read the allergen information and any precautionary warnings on the pack. | Whether I serve them depends on the allergen information for the guests who’ll be there; around 12% of consumers start by checking this. |
‘Unsalted’ describes the salt content, not the fat content. PLUS lists 46.5 g of fat per 100 g for its unsalted, unroasted cashews. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim.
Use the salt information to guide your choice about salt, and assess any fat claim separately against the exact pack.
Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil. That preparation method doesn’t compare the total fat content.
Compare the fat per 100 g of the exact varieties and check the evidence behind any ‘reduced’ claim.
A portion pack helps you measure an amount, but it doesn’t prove that the nuts contain less energy per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 154 kcal per 25 g handful for generic unsalted cashews; this isn’t a figure for every branded product.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and base your portion calculation on the pack you’re buying.
The NVWA warning issued on 20 May 2026 concerns Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The warning applies to that specific pack, not all ALDI cashews.
If you still have that pack, check the barcode and best-before date. Do not eat the affected batch.
Worth considering for roasted, savoury cashews. Duyvis describes Cashews Original as oven-roasted without added oil.
The range includes own-brand varieties with and without salt, as well as different pack sizes.
The range includes unsalted, salted, unroasted and dry-roasted cashews.
Way To Go! Unsalted Cashews is described as a multipack of 3 x 25 g.
Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted cashews are described as coming in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews 200 g is an option to consider if unsalted cashews are your preference.
These Joybuy products provide examples for comparing regular cashew varieties by nutrition information, salt content and preparation method. The values shown are per 100 g and don’t in themselves substantiate a ‘reduced fat’ claim.
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An option for comparing the nutrition information of cashews for snacking straight from the pack.
Nutrition per 100 g: 47.7 g of fat and 604 kcal. The ingredients list states 100% cashew kernels.
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A good fit if you’re looking for roasted cashews without added oil; this preparation method doesn’t prove they contain less fat.
Nutrition per 100 g: 43 g of fat and 586 kcal. The product description states that the pack contains 4–5 portions.
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A salted variety to compare if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat snack to serve at a get-together.
Nutrition per 100 g: 44 g of fat, 578 kcal and 0.9 g of salt. The ingredients list names cashews and salt.
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A roasted, unsalted variety to consider if this preparation suits your get-together.
Nutrition per 100 g: 46.67 g of fat, 596 kcal and 0.067 g of salt. The ingredients list names cashews.
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A salted variety to compare if you want to serve cashews straight from the pack for everyone to share.
Nutrition per 100 g: 60.1 g of fat, 679 kcal and 1.2 g of salt. The ingredients list names cashew kernels and salt.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. A smaller portion doesn’t change whether the product meets that limit.
Not automatically. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that ‘light’, ‘lite’ and ‘reduced’ claims about fat require at least 30% less fat than the regular comparable product. Compare calories separately, as other nutrients also provide energy.
Choose an amount in advance and use the nutrition information on the pack you’ve bought. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 154 kcal per 25 g for generic unsalted cashews; this isn’t a recommendation to keep topping up your portion without limit.
No. Roasting doesn’t make the nut allergen harmless; the Food Allergy Foundation states that the allergen remains stable when heated. Also check the pack for warnings about other allergens.
Do not eat Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. On 20 May 2026, the NVWA warned of possible metal fragments. The warning concerns that specific batch, not all ALDI cashews.
