Organisers handing out snacks between sessions
If guests want to take their snack with them, check the number of individual bags and the weight of each one. Sligro lists Duyvis Provencale in a box of 20 bags weighing 45 g each.
Which packaging works best for you?
Caterers catering for dietary requirements
Check the allergens present and any precautionary statements for each product. A vegan label does not mean a product is free from peanuts or gluten; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergen information must be made available for prepacked and non-prepacked products.
Buyers planning a staffed refreshment table
If you can hand out portions yourself, weigh up the work involved and the serving equipment needed against the packaging you choose. Jumbo and PLUS list larger bags as an alternative to individual snack bags.
What should you consider when buying?
Sealed individual snack bags
Best when: you want to set out a sealed snack for each guest to take between conference rooms. Sligro lists Duyvis Provencale as 20 individual bags of 45 g each.
Bear in mind: the fixed weight per bag and the order quantity. The same Sligro specification lists peanuts and wheat/gluten.
Portioning snacks yourself from a larger bag
Best when: you have a staffed refreshment table and want to choose the portion size yourself. Jumbo lists 300 g and 500 g bags; PLUS lists a mild 300 g variety.
Bear in mind: the portions listed in the nutritional information are not necessarily individually wrapped snack bags. Portioning takes time and requires serving equipment.
When choosing cocktail nuts for conference breaks in the Netherlands, the main things to consider are how you’ll serve them, the allergen information and how much work is involved at the refreshment table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual bags | Check the number of sealed bags, the weight of each bag and the order quantity. Sligro lists 20 bags of 45 g for the Duyvis box mentioned; the number of portions in a larger bag is not the same thing. | If I want to give guests a sealed snack to take between sessions, I look at the number of bags and the weight of each one. Around 36% of consumers prioritise individual take-away packaging. |
| Allergen information | Read the ingredients, allergens present and any precautionary statements for the exact product and packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the information requirements; Sligro and Jumbo list peanuts and wheat/gluten for the products mentioned. | If I’m buying for guests with different dietary requirements, I want to be able to check and share the information for each product. Around 29% of consumers prioritise checking allergen information. |
| Work involved in serving | Compare the number of portions you need with the number of bags or the total weight, and allow for portioning the snacks yourself and providing serving equipment. | If I want to organise refreshments practically, I need to know how much portioning and equipment will be involved. Around 21% of consumers prioritise how practical the serving arrangements are. |
| Flavour | Choose based on the flavour description and what you know your guests like. Duyvis describes Provencale as onion and garlic flavoured; PLUS and ALDI list other varieties. | If I’m choosing a flavour for my guests, I want to take their known preferences into account without assuming that one variety will suit everyone. Around 14% of consumers prioritise flavour choice. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing portions with individual snack bags
A pack may contain several portions according to the nutritional information without those portions being individually wrapped. Jumbo lists portions for larger bags; Sligro describes the Duyvis box as containing individual bags.
Look for a description stating the number of bags and the weight of each one, not just the number of portions per pack.
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Assuming vegan or vegetarian means allergen-free
Sligro’s specification for 45 g bags of Duyvis Provencale lists peanuts and wheat/gluten. A dietary claim does not tell you which allergens are present.
Check the dietary claim, ingredients, allergens present and any precautionary statements separately on the information for the exact product.
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Portioning snacks yourself without allergen information at the serving point
When serving unpackaged food, allergen information must be available to guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the applicable information requirements for catering.
Keep a record of the information for each product you use and make sure guests can access it at the refreshment table.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Duyvis
For Duyvis Provencale, Sligro lists a box of 20 individual bags weighing 45 g each, making it a good option for handing out between sessions.
- The box quantity and weight per bag are specified.
- Sligro’s specification lists peanuts and wheat/gluten; Duyvis describes the flavour as onion and garlic.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has its own product page for AH Borrelnoten cocktail nuts, which may suit buyers who do their shopping through the supermarket.
- The product page provides information about the product.
- Check the pack size and the latest ingredients and allergen information on the product; the word ‘cocktail’ does not in itself mean that the nuts come in individual snack bags.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists cocktail nuts in 300 g and 500 g bags, an option for a refreshment table where you’ll be serving the portions yourself.
- The product pages give the bag size and nutritional information.
- The portions listed do not confirm that the bag contains individual snack packs; follow the information on the product as delivered.
ALDI
ALDI lists cocktail nuts under the Trader Joe’s product brand in 300 g bags, with varieties including paprika, poesta and bacon and cheese.
- The product page describes the varieties listed and the bag size.
- The flavour name does not show that a variety is suitable for a particular diet or individually wrapped; check the product information for the variety you choose.
PLUS
PLUS lists Mild Cocktail Nuts in a 300 g bag, suitable for serving when you’re portioning the snacks yourself.
- The product page describes the bag size and the variety as mild.
- A vegetarian label does not mean allergen-free; check the information on the exact pack.
Joybuy product selection for portioning yourself
This Joybuy selection features cocktail nuts in a larger pack, for portioning yourself at a staffed refreshment table.
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Duyvis Provençal cocktail nuts 275 g
The 275 g pack is suitable for portioning yourself; the product information describes a crunchy coating with Provençal onion and garlic flavour.
The product information lists peanuts and wheat/gluten, and states that it may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard. Check the information on the product as delivered before serving it.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do you need if you want to hand out individual bags?
Divide the number of sealed bags you need by the number of bags in each box, then round up. For the Duyvis box listed by Sligro, which contains 20 bags, divide the number of bags you need by 20; you can decide whether to order any extra.
Are portions on the nutritional information the same as individual snack bags?
No. The number of nutritional portions does not mean that a pack contains the same number of individual bags. Jumbo lists portions for larger bags; if you want to hand out sealed snacks, check that the number of individual bags and the weight per bag are stated explicitly.
Is vegan Provencale suitable for someone with a peanut or gluten allergy?
Not according to Sligro’s specification for the Duyvis 45 g bags: it lists peanuts and wheat/gluten. Vegan describes a different property, so always check the information for the exact product and packaging.
Can you serve cocktail nuts from a large bag in bowls?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the requirements for serving unpackaged food. Allergen information must be available to guests, and a food business that prepares or sells food must work with a food safety plan or an appropriate approved hygiene code.
How should you store larger bags before the break?
For the products reviewed, Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Also follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the product as delivered; these do not automatically tell you how long a snack you’ve portioned yourself will keep after opening.