If you want a lighter snack with your working-from-home lunch, compare fat and energy per 100 g, then consider how much you actually eat. The European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods. This is different from ‘reduced fat’, where you need to check the claim and comparison for the exact product.
You want to keep eating cocktail nuts, but are looking for a demonstrably lower fat content. Distinguish between a nutrition claim and a preparation description such as ‘oven roasted’. The European Commission sets the threshold for ‘low fat’, while Duyvis distinguishes between product types and preparation methods.
You want a measured savoury snack with lunch and pay attention to portion size and energy, not just the front of the pack. AH Cocktail Nuts lists a 25 g portion; European food labelling information uses per 100 g as the basis for comparison.
Your choice may also depend on salt or an allergen requirement. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour; AH and PLUS product information shows that different varieties can have different declarations. The NVWA explains the rules on providing allergen information.
Start with what matters most to you: a substantiated fat claim, a measured portion, suitable label information or packaging that suits the way you use the product.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat claim | Compare fat per 100 g and check the claim for the exact variety. For solid foods, ‘low fat’ means no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g, according to the European Commission. | If reducing fat is my main goal, I want to know whether the claim applies to these exact cocktail nuts; around 36% of consumers prioritise reducing fat. |
| Portion and energy | First compare energy per 100 g, then work it out for the same portion size. European food labelling information sets out values per 100 g or 100 ml, as well as additional portion information. | With lunch, I want to measure out a portion and know how much energy it contains; around 29% of consumers prioritise portion size and energy. |
| Salt and allergens | Read the nutrition information, ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statement for the exact flavour. The NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly stated on the label. | If salt or an allergen requirement determines my choice, I’d rather check the full label than just the flavour name; around 21% of consumers prioritise label suitability. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a net weight that suits your needs and follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened. AH recommends storing AH Cocktail Nuts in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the bag tightly. | I want a bag size that suits how often I eat them and that I can store properly once opened; around 14% of consumers prioritise packaging and convenience. |
‘Low fat’ is a specific nutrition claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the claim and nutrition information for the exact variety. Don’t treat a preparation description such as ‘oven roasted’ as proof of a nutrition claim in itself.
A 25 g portion contains less product than 100 g, but it doesn’t change the composition per 100 g. Portion information and nutrition values per 100 g describe different amounts.
Compare products on the same basis, then consider how much you want to eat.
The product pages mentioned list Alesto at Lidl and Trader Joe’s at Aldi. So the shop name alone doesn’t tell you which brand or flavour you’re looking at.
Check the product brand, flavour and net weight before comparing labels or products.
The information given applies to the product ranges or varieties described and is not a general assessment of a brand.
Duyvis sells Borrelnootjes in flavours including Cocktail, Provençale, Poesta and Oriental.
The AH Cocktail Nuts pack provides portion and label information.
Jumbo lists own-brand cocktail nuts in flavours including Cocktail, Provençal and Oriental.
Lidl sells cocktail nuts under the Alesto product brand.
The Aldi product page lists Trader Joe’s cocktail nuts in flavours such as Poesta, Paprika and Bacon Cheese.
The PLUS variety reviewed is Ham and Cheese Cocktail Nuts in a 300 g bag.
No. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. Assess a ‘reduced fat’ claim separately and check the product information and comparison for the exact variety.
First compare nutrition values per 100 g, then work them out for the same portion: multiply the value per 100 g by the number of grams in your portion, then divide by 100. The European Union uses per 100 g or 100 ml as the basis for nutrition information; portion details may also be provided.
No. Duyvis describes Borrelnootjes as peanuts with a crisp coating. The Voedingscentrum includes unsalted nuts, kernels and seeds in its Wheel of Five; that advice does not automatically apply to a coated snack.
Follow the storage advice on the exact pack. For AH Cocktail Nuts, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack tightly after use.
Not necessarily. PLUS Ham and Cheese Cocktail Nuts is labelled as vegetarian, but lists milk and lactose as allergens. So check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety; the NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly stated on the label.
