Who is this choice relevant to?

Party planners looking for lower-fat options

You want to know whether a claim such as ‘light’ or ‘roasted’ really means the product contains less fat. Compare the claim and nutritional information on the exact pack.

Organisers of parties for young children

You take account of the children’s ages and any allergy arrangements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts to children under 4.

Planners keeping an eye on salt or packaging

You may be looking for an unsalted option or a pack that suits your plans, without confusing these features with lower fat content.

What should you look for when buying?

First check whether peanuts are suitable for the children’s ages and allergy arrangements; then see whether the fat claim and packaging meet your needs.

What to consider What should you check? Who should pay particular attention?
Age and allergies Agree on how to manage allergies and check the information on the exact pack. Don’t give whole peanuts to children under 4. When planning for children of different ages and with different allergy arrangements, I want to know first whether peanuts are suitable to serve. Around 36% of consumers say age and allergies are their main consideration.
Demonstrably lower in fat Compare the claim with the standard version and check fat and energy per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘light’ means at least 30% less of the stated nutrient or energy; for solid foods, the European Commission defines ‘low fat’ as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. If lower fat is my main priority, I want to know what the claim is based on and how the product compares with the standard version. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a demonstrable reduction in fat.
Salt and ingredients Check the ingredients and salt content per 100 g on the exact version. AH Unsalted Peanuts 300 g lists 51 g of fat per 100 g; PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 g lists 50 g per 100 g. (Albert Heijn; PLUS) If I’m mainly concerned about salt or ingredients, I want to be able to assess that information without assuming unsalted means low fat. Around 21% of consumers make this their main consideration.
Packaging and planning Check the net weight, storage advice and where it’s sold; the packs reviewed range from 200 g to 300 g. Lidl lists its 200 g roasted unsalted version as available in store only. If I’m buying and storing snacks for the party, the pack needs to suit my plans. Around 14% of consumers prioritise packaging and purchase planning.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming unsalted or roasted means lower in fat

    These terms describe salt content or preparation, not necessarily a lower fat content. The AH and PLUS versions reviewed list 51 and 50 g of fat per 100 g respectively.

    Check the fat claim and nutritional information on the exact pack; don’t assume the product contains less fat based on how it’s prepared or the fact that it’s unsalted.

  • Treating the serving size on the label as advice for children

    A serving size on the pack isn’t automatically a recommendation for children of a particular age. What’s more, whole peanuts aren’t suitable for children under 4, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

    Plan what to serve based on the children’s ages and the other snacks, and don’t automatically use the serving size on the label as a child-sized portion.

  • Taking ‘light’ as a reason to serve more

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that light products can still contain a lot of energy, and that eating more can cancel out the intended reduction.

    Compare energy as well as fat, and decide in advance how much you want to serve.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

Peanut snacks made in a range of ways, including roasted and coated varieties.

  • Duyvis says that some of its peanuts are roasted without oil.
  • The preparation method alone doesn’t prove that a product is lower in fat; check the exact pack.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand unsalted version reviewed is a standard peanut snack, with nutritional information per 100 g.

  • AH Unsalted Peanuts 300 g lists 51 g of fat, 620 kcal and 0 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Unsalted doesn’t mean low fat; these figures apply to this specific pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers different types of peanuts, including dry-roasted peanuts.

  • Jumbo’s category information lists a 200 g dry-roasted version.
  • Dry-roasted doesn’t prove a reduced fat content. A ‘light’ claim for peanut butter doesn’t prove that loose snack peanuts are lower in fat.

Lidl

Lidl lists roasted unsalted peanuts in a 200 g pack.

  • The product information describes the peanuts as suitable for snacking or cooking.
  • The product information doesn’t provide evidence of reduced fat and says they’re available in store only.

Aldi

Aldi’s product information lists roasted, unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.

  • The product description gives the preparation method and pack size.
  • Roasted and unsalted don’t prove that a product is lower in fat; check the label on the exact version.

PLUS

The own-brand unsalted version reviewed is a standard peanut snack, with nutritional information per 100 g.

  • PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 g lists 50 g of fat, 625 kcal and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The ‘unsalted’ label doesn’t make this particular version low in fat.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a product be labelled ‘low fat’?

For solid foods, the European Commission defines ‘low fat’ as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. This is different from a relative reduction compared with the standard version.

What should you serve if there are children under 4?

Don’t give whole peanuts to children under 4. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends ground nuts or nut butter; also check whether peanuts are suitable under the allergy arrangements. Make sure older children eat calmly and stay with them.

Is a light peanut product suitable for someone with a peanut allergy?

No. ‘Light’ says nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy, and peanuts remain an allergen. If you suspect a peanut allergy, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against trying peanut products yourself and recommends contacting your GP.

Where can you check the allergen information for packaged peanuts?

Check the allergen information on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label; for a children’s party, also check the allergy arrangements with the parents.

How should you store an opened pack of peanuts?

Follow the storage advice on the exact pack. AH Unsalted Peanuts 300 g advises keeping them in a cool, dark, dry place and closing the pack securely after use. PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 g advises storing them in a dry, dark place.