If you’re avoiding lactose, AH Borrelnoten paprika smaak 150 g may be an option, provided peanuts, wheat/gluten and the possible presence of nuts aren’t a concern. Albert Heijn describes this variety as lactose-free and vegan, but neither claim means the product is allergen-free. If you need to avoid peanuts or gluten, the AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties reviewed aren’t suitable, as they list peanuts and wheat/gluten. Cocktail nuts containing whole peanuts aren’t suitable for babies. Whether you need to follow a particular diet while breastfeeding depends on your circumstances, such as whether your baby has a cow’s milk allergy.
If you need to avoid lactose, gluten, milk or peanuts, check the exact flavour and packaging. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list different allergens for the varieties reviewed, so a general claim such as ‘lactose-free’ doesn’t tell you everything about other ingredients.
If your baby has, or is being tested for, a cow’s milk allergy, the milk in your diet may be relevant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises mothers breastfeeding a baby with a cow’s milk allergy to avoid milk. If you suspect an allergy, speak to your health visitor.
If you’re putting out snacks for adults in a home with a young child, allergen information isn’t the only thing to consider. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking.
First, check which ingredient you need to avoid and who the snack is for. Then consider the flavour and packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Checking for the specific allergen you need to avoid | Check the ingredients, the allergens present and, separately, any warning about the possible presence of other allergens on the exact pack. | If you need to avoid a specific allergen, check all the information for that particular variety. Around 36% of consumers put avoiding the relevant allergen at the top of their list when buying. |
| Avoiding milk while breastfeeding | Distinguish between milk and lactose, and make your choice based on your specific dietary needs. | If your baby has a cow’s milk allergy and you’re breastfeeding, you’ll want to know whether the milk in your diet is relevant. Around 29% of consumers in this situation put avoiding milk first. |
| Keeping adult snacks separate | Decide who the snack is for and don’t give young children whole cocktail nuts. | If you’re putting snacks out while there’s a young child at home, you’ll want to make sure an adult snack isn’t given to a baby. Around 21% of consumers put child safety first when buying. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the net weight and follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. | If you’re stocking up on snacks, choose a pack that suits how you’ll use and store them. Around 14% of consumers put practical storage needs first when buying. |
Albert Heijn describes AH Borrelnoten paprika smaak 150 g as lactose-free and vegan, but it also contains peanuts and wheat/gluten and may contain various nuts.
Consider each claim separately and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
PLUS Borrelnoten Mild 300 g lists peanuts, wheat/gluten, milk, lactose and celery, among other ingredients, and may contain nuts.
Check the ingredients for each flavour. ‘Mild’ describes the taste and isn’t a dietary claim.
Whole nuts and peanuts can cause young children to choke, regardless of the allergens in the product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns against giving them in this form.
Keep cocktail nuts for adults and don’t give whole cocktail nuts to a baby.
The varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn, PLUS and Jumbo come in different net weights: 150 g, 300 g and 500 g respectively. A larger pack doesn’t mean the product is suitable for your diet.
First check whether the variety meets your dietary needs, then decide whether the pack size suits how you’ll use and store it.
Duyvis describes its Borrelnootjes as peanuts with a crunchy coating and offers several flavour ranges.
AH Borrelnoten paprika smaak 150 g is a specific variety that Albert Heijn describes as lactose-free and vegan.
Jumbo Cocktail Borrelnoten Voordeelverpakking 500 g is a larger pack from one of the retailers reviewed.
Lidl Netherlands lists cocktail nuts among the products in this category.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s Borrelnoten 300 g in Poesta, paprika and bacon and cheese flavours.
PLUS Borrelnoten Mild 300 g is a specific mild-flavoured variety.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy involves milk proteins. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore advises checking milk separately in the ingredients and allergen information, rather than relying on a lactose-free claim, if you have a cow’s milk allergy.
No. Breastfeeding doesn’t automatically mean you need to follow a special diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating a healthy, varied diet and specifically advises mothers breastfeeding a baby with a cow’s milk allergy to avoid milk. If you suspect an allergy, speak to your health visitor.
No. Don’t give whole cocktail nuts to a baby as a snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can cause choking and may lead to suffocation. Suitable allergen information doesn’t remove the risk posed by the food’s shape and texture.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked food. Check the information on the exact pack and distinguish between listed allergens and warnings about their possible presence.
Yes. The European Commission cites Implementing Regulation 828/2014 as the framework for the claims ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’. The rules have applied since 20 July 2016.
