First decide which ingredient or allergen you need to avoid: gluten-free or lactose-free does not automatically mean suitable for someone with a cashew, peanut or milk allergy. For example, Albert Heijn describes AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g as gluten-free and lactose-free, but also lists cashew and warnings about peanuts and other nuts. Check the chips, sauce and preparation at the takeaway separately too.
If you need to avoid cashew, peanuts or milk, for example, check the information about that specific allergen and any warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label; a general ‘free from’ claim does not replace checking it.
If you can eat the nuts in the product but want to avoid gluten or lactose, check the claim for the exact product variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, whereas a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins.
If your dietary choice also depends on the chips, sauce or how they are prepared, check these with the takeaway. The label on a packaged snack tells you nothing about the rest of your order.
First, decide exactly what you want to avoid. Then check the specific snack and ask the takeaway about the chips, sauce and preparation if these matter too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding the right allergen | Check the exact packaging for both allergens present and precautionary warnings. | If I need to avoid cashew or peanuts, for example, I want to know whether that specific allergen could be present. Around 33% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen. |
| Gluten or lactose claims | Look for the gluten or lactose claim, and read the allergen information too. | If I can eat the nuts but want to avoid gluten or lactose, I check the relevant claim without assuming it means the product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this dietary information. |
| Your whole takeaway order | Before ordering, ask about allergens in the chips and sauce, and discuss preparation if needed. | If my choice also depends on the chips, sauce or possible cross-contamination, I want to check with the takeaway. Around 27% of consumers prioritise information about how takeaway food is prepared. |
| Packaging and storage | Compare the pack sizes and follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. | If I want to save some of a pack for later, I check its size and how to store the remainder. Around 13% of consumers give the most weight to packaging and storage. |
A dietary claim may appear alongside information about allergens that are present or could be present. For example, AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g is described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains cashew and may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Be specific about which ingredient you need to avoid and check the information for the exact product variant.
The PLUS product page for Duyvis Borrelnootjes provençale 125 g lists both a vegan claim and a warning that the product may contain milk.
If you have a milk allergy, check the allergen information and precautionary warnings too; don’t rely on a vegan claim instead.
The Duyvis Borrelnootjes provençale 125 g product we looked at contains peanuts and wheat. PLUS also says that it may contain soya, milk, nuts and mustard.
Read the full ingredients and allergen information, including details about the coating and seasoning ingredients.
Chips and sauce are separate products. Preparation may matter too; the label on a packaged snack cannot confirm how they are prepared.
Before ordering, ask the takeaway for allergen information and discuss preparation if it is relevant to your diet.
The Duyvis variant we looked at is a coated peanut snack: Borrelnootjes provençale 125 g.
The AH variant we looked at is Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g.
Jumbo Cashewnoten Ongezouten 200 g is a plain cashew snack.
PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g is a variant without a borrelnootjes coating.
Lidl Netherlands describes a range of products under Alesto, including natural cashew nuts.
ALDI describes a 500 g unsalted nut mix under Trader Joe’s.
No. A lactose-free claim alone does not mean a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between lactose intolerance, which relates to milk sugar, and a milk allergy to milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check the information about milk and whether it may be present.
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the exact product variant. The NVWA says that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Check the ingredients and any precautionary warnings, and check the packaging again if the product information changes.
Yes. Sellers must be able to provide allergen information for non-prepacked foods before purchase. According to the NVWA, they may provide it verbally under certain conditions: the information must be immediately available to the customer, available to staff and inspectors in writing or electronically, and a visible notice must be displayed at the point of sale.
Don’t assume that they are. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that cross-contamination with gluten may be a concern. Before buying, ask about the chips and any sauce, and discuss how they are prepared; the label on a separate nut snack cannot confirm this.
Follow the instructions on the exact packaging. For AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g, Albert Heijn says to store the product in a cool, dark, dry place and close the pack securely after use. For Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g, PLUS says to store it in a cool, dry place.
