Families sharing snacks after school
You’re looking for a pack with enough to go round. Choose a size that suits what you’ll actually serve and store.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Occasional snackers
You eat coated peanuts now and then, and may prefer a smaller amount, measured portions or a pack that’s easy to reseal over getting as much as possible.
Parents considering where their child will eat
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the exact product, and whether the snack fits the rules at school or childcare. The Voedingscentrum also warns of the risk of choking on whole nuts and peanuts.
What should you look for when choosing?
If children will be eating them, first check the ingredients and the rules at the place where they’ll eat. Then choose a pack that suits how you’ll use it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Safety and where they’ll be eaten | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, and check the rules at school or childcare. | If my child will eat the snack somewhere else, I want to know what the rules are and whether the ingredients are suitable. Around 29% of consumers give the most weight to safety and where the snack will be eaten. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and choose an amount that suits how often you share the snack. | I want to have enough at home for a family snack, without opening more than we’ll use. Around 36% of consumers prioritise choosing an amount that suits how they’ll use it. |
| Portions and storage | Check the portion size on the label and follow the storage instructions for the pack you choose. | If we eat from the bag at different times, I want to plan how much will be left and how to store it. Around 21% of consumers prioritise portions, stock levels and storage. |
| Flavour and ingredients | Compare the flavour, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. A seasoned coating is not the same as unsalted nuts. | I want to choose a flavour my family enjoys while also knowing what’s in it. Around 14% of consumers give the most weight to flavour and ingredients. |
Common mistakes
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Putting pack size ahead of allergens and where the snack will be eaten
A larger bag doesn’t change the ingredients or the rules at school or childcare. The Voedingscentrum also warns of the risk of choking on whole nuts and peanuts.
First check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product. Ask the school or childcare provider what rules apply before sending anything in.
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Taking the portion size on the label as advice for children
A portion size shown on a product page is information about that pack, not automatically a recommended amount for a child. Jumbo notes alongside its nutrition table that the reference intake is for an average adult.
Use portion information to plan how much is in the pack, not as age-specific dietary advice.
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Assuming a larger bag is always more practical
A larger pack only suits your needs if you’ll actually serve the contents and store them according to the label.
Think about how often you eat the snack, how much you use each time and how you’ll store the pack once opened.
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Assuming a flavour name tells you about allergens
A description such as “Mild” doesn’t tell you whether a product is free from peanuts, milk or other allergens.
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen, even if you already know the flavour name.
Brands to compare
The brands and retailers listed offer different flavours and pack sizes. Always check the information for the exact product: features of one product don’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
Duyvis
Duyvis offers several ranges and pack sizes. The manufacturer describes Provençale as having an onion and garlic flavour.
- For Provençale, the manufacturer lists pack sizes including 125 g, 275 g and 500 g.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for each pack and product; don’t assume they’re all the same.
Albert Heijn
AH Cocktail Coated Peanuts are an option if you’re looking for a smaller pack that you can reseal after use.
- The product information lists a 250 g pack and says it’s resealable.
- This product contains peanuts, wheat and milk. Check the allergen information before sharing it.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells Cocktail Coated Peanuts in 300 g and 500 g packs, including a 500 g value pack.
- The product page for the 500 g pack lists twenty 25 g portions on the label.
- The portion information isn’t age-specific advice. Also check the ingredients and storage instructions for the bag you choose.
PLUS
PLUS Mild Coated Peanuts are a mid-sized 300 g option. There’s also a 300 g Ham and Cheese version.
- The product information for Mild includes ingredients and allergen details.
- Milk and celery are among the allergens relevant to the Mild version. “Mild” doesn’t mean allergen-free.
ALDI
ALDI is the retailer; its official product page lists coated peanuts under the TRADER JOE'S brand.
- The product page lists 300 g bags in bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika flavours.
- When you buy them, check the flavour and the information on the pack you’ve chosen.
Lidl
Alesto is Lidl’s range of nuts and crunchy party snacks, among other products.
- The range page gives you a way to browse Alesto products.
- For a specific pack, check the product name, weight and allergen information. General range information doesn’t describe every product individually.
Coated peanuts at Joybuy
The Joybuy products shown are Duyvis coated peanuts in different flavours and 125 g or 275 g packs. Compare the exact product and its allergens. The Voedingscentrum warns of the risk of choking on whole nuts and peanuts for children.
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Duyvis Borrelnootjes Poeta 275 g
This product could suit you if you’re looking for a seasoned snack to share at home.
Pack size: 275 g. The product information lists peanuts and wheat, and mentions barley; it may also contain milk, nuts or mustard. Check the pack label.
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Duyvis Oriental Borrelnootjes 275 g
This pack could suit you if you’re looking for a seasoned snack to share at home.
Pack size: 275 g. The product information lists peanuts, wheat, milk and celery; it may also contain soya, mustard or another type of nut. Check the pack label.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale 125 g
The smaller pack could suit you if you prefer to keep less in stock at a time.
Pack size: 125 g. The product information lists peanuts and wheat; it may also contain milk, nuts, soya or mustard. Check the pack label.
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Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal 275 g
This product could suit you if you’re looking for Provençal-style coated peanuts to share at home.
Pack size: 275 g. Duyvis describes Provençale as having an onion and garlic flavour. The product information lists peanuts and wheat; it may also contain milk, nuts, soya or mustard. Check the pack label.
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Duyvis Tigernut BBQ Paprika 275 g
This product could suit you if you’re looking for a seasoned snack with BBQ and paprika flavour.
Pack size: 275 g. The product information mentions a double coating and lists peanuts and wheat; it may also contain milk, nuts, soya or mustard. Check the pack label.
Frequently asked questions
Are coated peanuts the same as unsalted nuts?
No. Coated peanuts have a seasoned, crunchy coating. In its guidance for children aged 4 to 12, the Voedingscentrum refers to unsalted nuts. Don’t automatically apply that information to coated peanuts.
Which allergens are in coated peanuts?
It varies by product. The product information listed here, for example, mentions peanuts and wheat, and some products also contain milk or celery. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information is shown on the label of prepacked products. Read the information on the exact pack you’ve chosen.
Are whole coated peanuts suitable for young children?
Not necessarily: the Voedingscentrum warns of the risk of choking on whole nuts and peanuts. A crunchy coating or a small portion size on the label doesn’t remove this concern.
Is a 25 g portion on the label a recommendation for my child?
No, not based on the portion information alone. For the AH and Jumbo products reviewed, 25 g is a portion size shown on the label. Jumbo states that the reference intake in its nutrition table is for an average adult.
How should I store an opened bag of coated peanuts?
Follow the instructions on the pack for your product. Albert Heijn says to close the bag securely after use; Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing it in a cool, dry and dark place.
What should I do if the school or childcare provider has rules about nuts?
Follow the rules set by the school or childcare provider in question and ask which products and eating occasions they apply to. Don’t assume there’s one rule for every school; policies may vary from one location to another.