Choose a snack based on exactly what your guest needs to avoid: gluten-free or lactose-free does not automatically mean free from peanuts, tree nuts or milk ingredients. Choose a product with clear, relevant information and check the current packaging. If nuts need to be avoided, check the ingredients and warnings on snacks outside the nut category too.
You’re looking for a party snack that fits a specific list of things to avoid. Peanuts and tree nuts are different allergens, so check the ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination. Stichting Voedselallergie explains the difference.
You want to serve nuts and avoid gluten, while still being able to eat the nuts in the product. Check the gluten-free statement and the ingredients for the exact variant, not just the brand name.
You’re shopping for guests with different dietary restrictions and don’t want to confuse gluten-free or lactose-free with suitable for a specific allergy. Check each snack against the relevant guest’s list of things to avoid.
Start with the ingredient your guest needs to avoid, then check the snack’s exact ingredients and warnings.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding peanuts and nuts | Check the individual types of nuts, whether peanuts are an ingredient, and any warnings about possible presence. | If a guest has a specific peanut or nut allergy, compare the ingredients and warnings with their list of things to avoid. Around 36% of consumers make avoiding peanuts or nuts their top purchasing priority. |
| Avoiding gluten | Look for a gluten-free statement on the exact variant, and check the ingredients and warnings too. | If you need to avoid gluten but can eat the nuts in the product, check the information for that specific snack. Around 29% of consumers make avoiding gluten their top priority. |
| Avoiding milk or lactose | Establish whether milk ingredients, lactose or both need to be avoided, then check the relevant product information. | If a guest needs to avoid milk or lactose, it’s important to assess that requirement separately. Around 21% of consumers make avoiding milk or lactose their top purchasing priority. |
| Shopping and storage | Read the label again, keep the original packaging with the snack and follow the storage instructions for that variant. | If you’re shopping for several guests, you’ll want to keep the information with the correct packaging so you can refer to it again. Around 14% of consumers prioritise being able to check their purchases and storage. |
AH Unsalted Nut Mix is labelled gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains various tree nuts and may contain peanuts and other nuts. Those claims therefore don’t automatically tell you whether the mix is suitable for someone with a specific allergy.
Compare each claim with the ingredient the guest needs to avoid, and check the full product information.
Jumbo Unroasted Nut Mix lists peanuts under ‘May contain’, even though peanuts aren’t listed as an ingredient in the recipe.
As well as the ingredients, read the warning about possible cross-contamination.
Duyvis Borrelnootjes® Cocktail lists milk, peanuts and gluten as allergens, and notes the possible presence of soya, mustard and various nuts.
Check the exact flavour variant again if you’re switching from plain nuts to coated party nuts.
Product information and recipes can change, and different variants may contain different ingredients.
Check the current packaging before serving and keep it with the relevant snack. Stichting Voedselallergie advises reading the ingredients list every time.
Relevant for coated party peanuts, including Duyvis Borrelnootjes® Cocktail.
Own-brand options with product-specific dietary information, including AH Unsalted Nut Mix and AH Plain Crisps.
Uncoated own-brand nuts, with Jumbo Unroasted Nut Mix as a specific product example.
The Alesto range includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
Trader Joe’s Unsalted Nut Mix is one example, containing almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
The range includes unsalted peanuts, almonds and mixed nuts.
This selection of Joybuy products focuses on a ready-to-eat snack with an explicit gluten-free statement.
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A ready-to-eat option if you’re looking for a chestnut snack and can eat chestnuts.
The product description states that it contains 100% chestnuts and is gluten-free and vegan. It also says the chestnuts are peeled, roasted and ready to eat.
Contains chestnuts and is not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid them. A gluten-free statement does not confirm that the product is suitable for someone with a peanut or other nut allergy; check the current packaging.
No. A peanut is a legume; tree nuts are a separate group. Stichting Voedselallergie advises checking peanuts and each relevant nut separately against your list of things to avoid.
Lactose is milk sugar, whereas a milk allergy involves milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check for milk ingredients and relevant warnings. A lactose-free statement doesn’t answer that question.
It’s a warning about possible presence due to cross-contamination, not a statement that the ingredient is part of the recipe. The NVWA describes wording such as ‘May contain X’. Since 2026, the NVWA has overseen the stricter rules on allergen information for prepacked products. A warning, or the absence of one, doesn’t automatically make a snack suitable for every guest.
Yes. Stichting Voedselallergie advises reading the full ingredients list every time. Check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought a similar pack or a different variant before.
Yes. Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 governs information about the absence or reduction of gluten. The European Commission states that the regulation has applied since 20 July 2016; the gluten-free claim says nothing in itself about other allergens.
