For children under 4, a small pack of whole cashews is not a suitable ready-to-go nursery snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing nut butter without added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, due to the risk of choking. So check the form of the food and the nursery’s rules first; a serving size on a consumer pack is not dietary advice for a child.
You’re looking for something easy to take to nursery, but for children under 4, the form of the food matters more than the size of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing nut butter instead of whole nuts.
You want to be able to share the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant, and follow the nursery’s individual arrangements.
You compare pack size, ingredients and storage for regular use, without mistaking a consumer serving for advice for a child.
For a nursery lunch, first consider the form of the food and the nursery’s rules. Pack convenience and ingredients come next.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Form of food and age | For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing nut butter without added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts. | When I’m packing something for a young child, I want to check that the form of the food is suitable first. Around 29% of consumers put age suitability at the top of their list when shopping. |
| Allergens and nursery arrangements | Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warning on the exact pack, and discuss any relevant information with the nursery. | Anyone following allergy arrangements needs to be able to share product information carefully. Around 24% of consumers give allergen information and nursery arrangements top priority. |
| Portion packaging | Check the net weight, stated number of servings and whether they are individually wrapped. A product serving is not advice for a child. | If I want something that’s easy to take with me, I want to know whether I’ll need to portion it out myself. Around 18% of consumers prioritise portioning convenience. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients for the exact product variant. ‘Unsalted’ and ‘unroasted’ describe different characteristics. | Anyone who cares about what’s in a product wants to be able to assess any added ingredients rather than relying on the product name alone. Around 18% of consumers put ingredients at the top of their list when shopping. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare pack sizes and follow the storage instructions on the exact pack, including after opening. | For regular lunches, I want to know how much is in a pack and how to store it once opened. Around 11% of consumers prioritise stock management and storage. |
The servings listed on a pack are not advice for a child. For the 170 g pack reviewed, Albert Heijn states a serving size of 25 g and 7 servings. Joybuy’s product information lists 4–5 servings for the 125 g pack of Duyvis Cashews Sea Salt.
Check the net weight, stated servings and packaging separately. The term ‘grab bag’ doesn’t mean it’s a child-sized serving.
If a pack contains several servings, you may need to portion it out and store it after opening.
‘Unsalted’ says nothing about the presence of other allergens. Jumbo’s product information states that its 200 g unsalted variant may contain other nuts and peanuts. PLUS says its 200 g unroasted variant may contain peanuts.
Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack, and share any relevant information in line with your arrangements with the nursery.
In May 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) advised consumers not to eat a specific 170 g pack of Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews. The warning applied to barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026; that date has now passed. The warning does not automatically apply to other packs.
Check the brand, pack size, barcode and best-before date against the warning. Do not eat a pack that matches the batch details listed, and follow the NVWA’s guidance on what to do next.
Duyvis describes Cashews Sea Salt as cashews seasoned with coarsely ground sea salt.
AH Unsalted Cashews is the 170 g pack reviewed.
Jumbo Unsalted Cashews was reviewed in the 200 g pack.
The product name on Lidl’s page is Way To Go! Unsalted Cashews.
The ALDI product page reviewed lists Trader Joe’s Roasted and Unsalted Cashews in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Unsalted Unroasted Cashews was reviewed in the 200 g pack.
For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises choosing nut butter without added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, due to the risk of choking. A small pack doesn’t change the form of the food, so make sure your choice also follows the nursery’s arrangements.
No. Don’t use a consumer serving size as dietary advice for a toddler. For the 170 g pack of cashews reviewed, Albert Heijn lists a product serving of 25 g; that doesn’t make the pack one child-sized serving.
Check the ingredients list and ‘may contain’ warning on the exact pack, and discuss any relevant information with the nursery. The NVWA states that the 14 allergens that must be declared need to appear in the ingredients list; this labelling doesn’t determine whether a product meets your nursery’s requirements.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes the document as an example policy that can be adapted. Ask which food arrangements your nursery follows, including those for allergies and individual needs.
Do not eat the pack if it is the 170 g unsalted variant with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. The NVWA warning from May 2026 applies specifically to that pack; follow the NVWA’s guidance on what to do next.
