At the Christmas market, choose based on the substance you need to avoid and check the exact product variant, not just a general label such as ‘free from’. The Duyvis, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS variants reviewed contain peanuts and wheat; information about milk and precautionary warnings varies by product. These specific variants are not suitable if you have a peanut allergy or follow a gluten-free diet. If snacks are sold loose, ask about allergen information and how they are served before you buy.
If you need to avoid peanuts or milk, for example, check the ingredients and precautionary warnings for the exact variant. The coated peanuts reviewed are not all suitable for every dietary requirement; product information from Duyvis, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS varies by variant.
If you need to eat gluten-free, check the crispy coating too, and find out how loose snacks are served. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that coated peanuts are usually not gluten-free and advises asking for a fresh bag and a clean scoop when buying loose snacks.
If you’re choosing snacks for people with different dietary requirements, ask for information about the specific variant on offer before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) emphasises that consumers must be able to get this information before making a choice.
Start with the substance you need to avoid, then check the current label. The NVWA says allergen information must be available before purchase; the Dutch Coeliac Society advises asking for a fresh bag and a clean scoop when buying loose gluten-free snacks.
| What to consider | What to look out for | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| The substance you need to avoid | Check the exact variant and read both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the packaging. | If I need to avoid peanuts or another allergen, I want to be able to review the full product information. Around 31% of consumers prioritise avoiding the allergen they need to exclude. |
| Gluten in the coating | Check the coating ingredients and the current product description. | If I eat gluten-free, I check the crispy coating as well as the flavour. Around 25% of consumers give gluten-free suitability top priority. |
| Milk and lactose | Check milk ingredients and warnings separately; base any decision about lactose on your personal dietary advice. | If I need to consider milk or lactose, I don’t want to assume they mean the same thing. Around 19% of consumers prioritise avoiding milk or lactose. |
| Serving loose snacks | Ask for information about the exact variant and find out what serving utensil is used. | At an open stall, I want to see the product information and know how the snack is served before choosing. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking information and serving practices. |
One variant may contain ingredients or warnings that matter for your diet, while another variant may have a different label.
Be specific when you choose: which substance do you need to avoid, and what does the full information for this variant say?
Duyvis Provencale’s ingredient information says the product may contain milk. A shorter allergen statement does not always tell you everything included in the full product information.
Read the full packaging and check the warnings before you choose.
Lactose is milk sugar, while a milk allergy involves milk proteins. So choosing a lactose-focused product does not automatically mean it is suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
Check milk ingredients and warnings separately, and follow the advice that applies to your dietary requirements.
A taste ranking cannot tell you whether the ingredients or warnings are suitable for your diet.
Check the current product information first, then compare flavours.
Coated peanuts with a peanut centre. Oriental and Provencale are separate variants, so check the label for each one individually.
AH Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g is a specific variant whose ingredients and allergens are worth checking individually.
Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g is a variant where you should check the ingredients and allergen information for each substance separately.
PLUS Borrelnoten Ham Kaas 300 g shows why flavouring ingredients matter too.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S coated peanuts in Oriental, Provencale and Cocktail flavours, in a 300 g pack.
Lidl sells coated peanuts; use the specific packaging as your source for ingredients and allergen information.
Yes. The seller must provide information about any allergens present before you buy. According to the NVWA, it must also be clear which cereals or nuts are involved when the allergens are gluten-containing cereals or nuts.
No. Lactose intolerance affects the digestion of milk sugar, while a milk allergy involves milk proteins. HagaZiekenhuis says that choosing a lactose-focused product is therefore no proof that it is suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
Ask to see the product information and whether the snack can be served from a fresh bag using a clean scoop. This follows the Dutch Coeliac Society’s advice for loose snacks, but it does not make a coated peanut with a wheat-containing coating gluten-free.
Don’t buy anything until you have the information you need to assess whether it suits your diet. You can report missing allergen information at shops or catering businesses to the NVWA.
Yes. The new rules on precautionary allergen labelling have been in force since 1 January 2026, and the NVWA monitors compliance. Read any warning about possible allergens alongside the ingredients list.
