Who is this relevant to?

Gluten-conscious partygoers

You want to bring a crunchy snack to share, but need to avoid gluten. So check the coating and the latest information for the exact flavour.

Shoppers with a specific allergy

You’re choosing for yourself or a guest who needs to avoid, for example, peanuts or milk. Look for a snack that suits that specific allergen; a broad claim doesn’t mean a product is free from all allergens.

Festival snack servers

You’re buying for several guests and want to keep the ingredient information with the right snack and limit cross-contact. For the commercial sale of unpackaged snacks, allergen information must be available before purchase, according to the NVWA.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the allergen that needs to be avoided, then check the exact flavour and packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that cocktail nuts are usually not gluten-free.

What to consider What to look for Who is this important for?
The specific allergen Check for the allergen in the ingredients list and look for warnings about possible cross-contamination. If I or a guest needs to avoid peanuts, I won’t choose peanut-based cocktail nuts, and I’ll check the warnings. Around 31% of consumers put avoiding their own allergen first.
Gluten in the coating Check for a gluten-free claim and review the ingredients for the exact flavour on the current packaging. If I need to avoid gluten, I check the coating and the latest recipe, not just the brand name. Around 25% of consumers give avoiding gluten top priority.
Milk or lactose Decide whether you need to avoid milk or lactose, then check the ingredients and allergen information for that variety. If I need to avoid milk or lactose, I check all the information for the chosen flavour; a vegetarian label doesn’t replace that check. Around 19% of consumers put limiting milk or lactose first.
Serving without cross-contact Plan separate bowls and clean serving spoons, and keep the label with the snack it belongs to. When serving several guests, I want to keep snacks clearly identified and separate so the information stays with the right product. Around 25% of consumers prioritise safe, separate serving.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘free from’ means free from all allergens

    Avoiding gluten and avoiding peanuts are two different needs. The cocktail varieties checked contain peanuts, so choosing a gluten-free product doesn’t automatically make it suitable for someone with a peanut allergy.

    Identify the specific allergen and check the information for the exact snack. If you have a peanut allergy, don’t choose peanut cocktail nuts.

  • Assuming every flavour from a brand is suitable for the same needs

    Ingredients can vary between varieties. The AH, Jumbo and Duyvis cocktail varieties checked contain wheat; AH Cocktail also lists milk and whey powder, while Duyvis Cocktail at PLUS lists milk and lactose.

    Check the flavour, ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the product you intend to buy, even if you know the brand.

  • Serving suitable and unsuitable snacks together

    Snacks can come into contact with each other when being served. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using a new bag and a clean spoon for loose nuts; separate bowls and spoons are a practical way to do this when serving snacks at a festival.

    Use separate bowls and clean spoons, and keep the label with the right snack. Serving them separately won’t make a product containing the allergen suitable.

    Separate bowls and clean serving spoons require extra equipment and planning.

Brands to refer to

Duyvis

Duyvis describes its cocktail nuts as peanuts with a crunchy coating, available in a range of coatings and flavours.

  • The ingredient information for Duyvis Borrelnootjes Cocktail 275 g at PLUS lists wheat, cereals containing gluten, peanuts, milk and lactose.
  • This cocktail variety isn’t suitable for anyone avoiding these ingredients; possible soy, nuts and mustard are also listed in the warnings.

Albert Heijn

AH Borrelnoten Cocktail 250 g is a supermarket own-brand variety with ingredient information available.

  • The listed ingredients for this cocktail variety include peanuts, wheat, milk and whey powder.
  • This variety isn’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten or milk. AH notes that product information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for Borrelnoten Cocktail 300 g, distinguishing between listed allergens and possible cross-contamination.

  • The product information checked lists gluten, peanuts and wheat.
  • The fact that milk isn’t in the published ingredients list doesn’t confirm that the variety is dairy-free or lactose-free.

Lidl

Lidl directs customers to the packaging for ingredient information about its food products.

  • The packaging is the right place to check the product information for the snack you’ve chosen.
  • Don’t assume a product is gluten-free, milk-free or peanut-free based on the brand name or its range.

ALDI

The Dutch product page lists Trader Joe’s Bacon-cheese, Puszta or paprika cocktail nuts in 300 g bags.

  • The product information identifies the flavour varieties and pack size.
  • A flavour name or pack weight doesn’t confirm that a variety is free from gluten, milk or peanuts.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for Duyvis Borrelnootjes Cocktail 275 g.

  • The information lists ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for this variety.
  • The listed presence of wheat, peanuts, milk and lactose means this cocktail variety isn’t suitable for anyone avoiding them.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are cocktail nuts without wheat flour automatically gluten-free?

No. Check the full ingredients list and look for a gluten-free claim on the exact packaging. The AH and Jumbo cocktail varieties checked list wheat; the Dutch Coeliac Society also warns that recipes can change.

Can I choose a vegetarian cocktail variety as a milk-free snack?

Not based on the vegetarian label alone. Duyvis Borrelnootjes Cocktail 275 g at PLUS carries that label, but the product information also lists milk and lactose.

Does a festival seller have to list allergens for loose cocktail nuts?

For the commercial sale of unpackaged food, allergen information must be available before purchase, according to the NVWA. This could be provided on a sign or menu, for example; verbal information is also acceptable if customers are clearly told that they can ask for it.

What does ‘May contain X’ mean on a Dutch label?

It warns that the named allergen may be present unintentionally, for example due to cross-contamination. According to the NVWA, new Dutch rules for these warnings have applied since 1 January 2026. The wording used is ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’.

What should I do if the online product information differs from the packaging?

Use the information on the packaging of the exact snack and ask the shop for clarification if you’re unsure. Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging because product information can change.