First, identify the ingredient or substance you actually need to avoid: gluten-free or lactose-free does not mean a product is free from peanuts or tree nuts. For parents who can eat peanuts, Albert Heijn lists its 250 g and 300 g unsalted peanut varieties as gluten-free and lactose-free. If you have an allergy, the specific allergen and any warning about possible traces are what matter. Breastfeeding does not in itself require a preventative exclusion diet, and whole nuts are not suitable for children under 4.
You’re looking for a snack that suits a specific need, such as avoiding peanuts, a particular tree nut or milk. Check the label for the relevant allergen and any warning about possible traces; a general ‘allergen-free’ claim isn’t enough.
You want a nut snack with a claim that fits your diet, without assuming that it’s also free from other allergens. Albert Heijn lists the 250 g and 300 g unsalted peanut varieties reviewed as gluten-free and lactose-free.
You can eat nuts and want an unsalted snack that takes little preparation. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, you don’t need to follow a special diet as a precaution while breastfeeding; whole peanuts and nuts are not suitable for children under 4.
Start with the restriction that applies to you: a gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t tell you whether a product contains peanuts or tree nuts. Check the ingredients, allergen warnings and intended use separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding a specific allergen | Check both the ingredients and warnings about possible traces, and assess them in line with the advice you’ve been given. | If I have a specific peanut or nut allergy, I want to check whether that particular allergen could be present. Around 31% of consumers say avoiding a specific allergen is their top priority. |
| A gluten-free claim | Check the claim on the exact variety, and assess peanuts and other allergens separately. | If I need to avoid gluten and can eat peanuts, I look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the product. Around 25% of consumers put suitability for their diet first. |
| Lactose or milk protein | Establish whether you need to avoid lactose or milk protein, then check the information relevant to your restriction. | If lactose intolerance or a milk-related restriction determines my choice, I don’t want to assume that ‘lactose-free’ also means suitable for someone with a milk protein allergy. Around 19% of consumers say this clarification is their top priority. |
| Choosing a practical unsalted snack | Compare pack sizes and follow the storage and resealing instructions after opening. | For an everyday snack, I’m looking for an unsalted variety in a pack size that’s easy to store. Around 13% of consumers put everyday convenience first. |
| A snack for a young child | Keep whole nuts away from children under 4; follow age and preparation guidance when introducing them. | If my young child is eating too, I want to distinguish between my own snack and a suitable form for my child. Around 12% of consumers say this safety consideration is their top priority. |
According to Albert Heijn, the AH peanuts reviewed are gluten-free and lactose-free, but they contain peanuts and may contain tree nuts. These dietary claims don’t make them suitable for everyone who needs to avoid peanuts or nuts.
Start with the specific allergen you need to avoid, and check the ingredients and warnings separately from other dietary claims.
PLUS Walnuts lists walnuts as an ingredient, but warns that the product may also contain peanuts and other tree nuts.
Check the warning about possible traces too, and assess it in line with the advice you’ve been given.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking.
Keep whole snack nuts separate from food for adults. For young children, follow the guidance on suitable forms, such as ground nuts or nut butter.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, breastfeeding does not in itself require a special diet. Cutting foods out without a medical reason can limit your food choices and make meal planning more difficult.
Choose foods based on your own established dietary needs. If you think your baby may be reacting to a food, speak to your GP rather than cutting out a wide range of allergens yourself.
An unnecessarily restrictive diet can limit your everyday food choices and make it harder to plan what you eat.
A relevant own-brand option for parents who can eat peanuts and are looking for an explicit gluten-free or lactose-free claim.
Nut and peanut snacks made in different ways; the unsalted peanut variety is a possible everyday snack for people who can eat the relevant allergens.
An own-brand option for unsalted almonds, for people who can eat almonds.
An own-brand option for unroasted, unsalted walnuts.
The Alesto range includes nuts and dried fruit for snacks and toppings.
A supermarket range with various nuts, including unsalted varieties.
These Joybuy products are nut snacks for adults who can eat the relevant nut; they are not general free-from options. Whole nuts are not suitable for children under 4.
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A good choice for an unsalted snack if you can eat peanuts.
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil; the product may contain cashew nuts.
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A good choice for a roasted, unsalted snack if you can eat cashew nuts.
Contains cashew nuts; avoid this variety if you need to avoid cashews or tree nuts.
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According to the product information, the pine nuts are ready to eat; the description also suggests using them in dishes.
The product information lists at least 98% pine nuts and palm oil. Pine nuts are tree nuts; avoid them if you need to avoid tree nuts.
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A good choice as a snack or baking ingredient if you can eat macadamia nuts.
The product information lists 100% macadamia nuts, with no added salt, sugar or seasoning.
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A good choice for a roasted snack with no added salt if you can eat peanuts.
The product information lists 100% peanuts and no added salt; the product contains peanuts.
No. Breastfeeding does not in itself require a special diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says a diet recommended by a doctor is an exception; if you have a diagnosed allergy, that remains relevant to what you eat.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4 because of the risk of choking. For introducing peanuts, it recommends smooth 100% peanut butter with no added salt or sugar. If your child has severe eczema or a food allergy, speak to their doctor or dietitian first.
Yes. The European Commission refers to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 for the requirements for ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’, which has applied since 20 July 2016. A gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you whether peanuts, tree nuts or milk are present.
Store nuts in a dry place in a tightly sealed container, and follow the instructions on the packaging. For the AH peanuts reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark, dry place and resealing the packaging properly after use.
