Ready to hand out
You’re filling conference bags or setting out snacks and don’t want to weigh out the nuts first. Look for individual packs and check how many are in each case. Foods & Goods lists 20 packs per case for the Duyvis products reviewed.
Which approach is right for you?
Offering an unsalted snack
You’re looking for an unsalted nut snack and want to choose the portion size yourself. Check the ingredients and any warnings for the exact product variant: unsalted doesn’t automatically mean peanut-free or allergen-free.
Preparing portions yourself
You can organise the preparation and want to weigh out the portions yourself. Compare the pack size with the portion you plan to offer, and allow for the time needed to pack them and provide allergen information.
What should you consider when choosing?
Individual packs
Choose this if: you want to add snacks to conference bags without weighing them out yourself.
Bear in mind: the fixed pack size and the number of packs per case.
Larger pack
Choose this if: you want to set the portion size yourself or are looking for an unsalted mix.
Bear in mind: weighing, suitable portion packaging and the time needed to prepare everything.
Managing allergens
Choose this if: product information and how you make it available to visitors are a priority.
Bear in mind: ingredients and warnings vary between products and variants.
For catering in the Netherlands, allergen information must be appropriate to how you serve the nuts. The NVWA sets out the information requirements for prepacked and unpackaged foods.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual packs and pack size | Check the weight of each pack and the number of packs per case. A stated portion size doesn’t mean there’s a set of individual packs inside. | If I want to hand snacks straight to conference visitors, I need to know how many individual packs I’ll receive. Around 28% of consumers give handing snacks out directly top priority. |
| Allergen information | Check the allergens present and any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the exact product variant. Make sure the information is available when you serve it. | If I’m organising catering, I want product information to be clearly available to visitors and staff. Around 28% of consumers prioritise allergen management. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Read the ingredients for the exact mix and choose the portion size yourself. An unsalted nut mix may also contain peanuts. | If my snack needs to be unsalted, I want to be able to assess the ingredients and the amount being handed out. Around 17% of consumers give this need top priority. |
| Cost per portion you can hand out | Compare products using the same portion size, and include the cost of packaging and preparation. Divide the total by the number of portions you can actually hand out. | If I’m buying for several visitors, I want to compare the total cost per portion that’s actually packed. Around 16% of consumers prioritise this calculation. |
| Leftover stock and storage | Match the order quantity to the number of portions you plan to hand out, and follow the storage and resealing instructions on the chosen packaging. | If I need to manage unused or opened stock, I pay attention to the packaging and storage instructions. Around 11% of consumers give managing leftovers top priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming the number of portions is the number of individual packs
A 500 g pack may state that it contains 20 portions of 25 g, without containing 20 individual packs for handing out. Albert Heijn lists this number of portions for the unsalted nut mix reviewed.
Look specifically for individual packs, or plan to weigh and pack the portions yourself.
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Assuming unsalted means peanut-free
The PLUS Notenmix ongezouten reviewed contains peanuts. Ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination may also be relevant for other mixes.
Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging for the exact product variant.
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Comparing cases without checking the number of packs
The number of packs can vary between trade packs. Foods & Goods lists 20 packs for the salted peanuts reviewed; HANOS lists 24 packs for a different pack and notes that it has been replaced.
Check the order unit with the supplier you’re actually buying from.
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Only considering the quantity of nuts when portioning them yourself
A larger pack only becomes a snack to take away once you’ve weighed and packed the portions. The allergen information must match how you serve the product.
Allow for packaging and preparation, and make sure the necessary product information is available.
Relevant brands and retailers
Duyvis
The products reviewed include individually packed Borrelnootjes Provencale and salted peanuts for handing out straight away.
- Foods & Goods lists 20 packs per case, with pack sizes of 45 g and 60 g respectively.
- The pack sizes don’t necessarily match a serving size used in nutritional guidance. Duyvis advises checking the possible trace warnings on the packaging.
Albert Heijn
The AH Notenmix ongezouten 500 g reviewed is a larger pack for portioning yourself.
- Albert Heijn lists 20 portions of 25 g.
- The stated portion count doesn’t mean the pack contains 20 individual packs for handing out. Check the ingredients and allergen information too.
Jumbo
The Jumbo range reviewed includes Jumbo Noten Mix Ongezouten 200 g, along with other mix variants.
- The range information shows the available variants and pack sizes.
- The ingredients and portion size of one mix don’t necessarily apply to another variant.
Lidl
The Lidl product reviewed is a 200 g bag of unroasted, unsalted mixed nuts.
- The product information describes it as a larger bag for portioning yourself.
- To create individual packs to take away, you’ll need to portion the nuts yourself and keep the product information available.
ALDI
The product reviewed from this retailer is Trader Joe’s Notenmix ongebrand 200 g.
- ALDI lists hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts and almonds, and says the pack is resealable.
- Trader Joe’s is the product brand shown; the larger pack isn’t a multipack of individual portions.
PLUS
The PLUS Notenmix ongezouten reviewed comes in a 200 g stand-up pouch for portioning yourself.
- The product page lists the ingredients and allergen information.
- The mix reviewed contains 31% peanuts, so unsalted doesn’t mean peanut-free in this case.
Joybuy products
This selection includes individually packed snacks and larger packs of nuts for portioning yourself. Before ordering, check the exact contents, packaging and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
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ChaCha Pistachio Nuts 20g*25 Bags
The product name indicates packs of pistachios; check the exact contents and packaging before planning quantities for your catering.
Check the allergen information on the individual pack; the product information mentions walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.
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Full of fruit flavor nuts and dried fruit sharing pack 5-pack 1.073kg
The product information describes a snack selection with nuts, fruit and banana chips that’s ready to eat.
The pack is a five-piece selection weighing 1.073 kg. Check the allergen information on each individual pack.
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Be&Cheery paper-shell walnuts 128g
The product information describes individually packed walnuts, making them an option for handing out as individual snacks.
The pack contains 128 g. Walnuts are listed as an allergen; check the packaging information before serving.
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g'woon Nut Mix Raw & Unsalted - 200g
An unsalted nut mix in a 200 g pack, suitable if you want to decide how much to hand out yourself.
The product information lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, and states that the product may contain traces of peanuts.
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g'woon Unroasted Mixed Nuts - 500g
According to the product information, this larger pack contains an unroasted, unsalted nut mix that you can portion yourself.
The description lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews. According to the information, the product may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
Frequently asked questions
For loose nuts, do you only need to say ‘contains nuts’?
No. According to the NVWA, you must specify which nuts are present in unpackaged products. Keep the product-specific information available when serving nuts from a larger pack.
Can allergen information for unpackaged catering be given verbally?
Yes, subject to certain conditions. The information must be directly and accurately available before purchase. It must also be available in writing or electronically to staff and the NVWA, and a clear notice at the point of sale must tell visitors that they can ask for it.
How many portions can you get from 500 g of nuts?
At 25 g per portion, that’s theoretically 20 portions. Albert Heijn also lists this for the 500 g AH Notenmix ongezouten reviewed. You’ll still need to pack the portions yourself; using a different portion size or losing some when weighing will change the yield.
Is a 45 g or 60 g pack automatically one portion?
No. The Voedingscentrum gives 25 g as an example of a handful of nuts, while the Duyvis individual packs reviewed contain 45 g or 60 g. Use the pack weight for your logistics planning, and decide separately how much you want to serve.
How should you store an opened larger pack of nuts?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for the exact product variant. For the mix reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dry place and sealing it well after use; check the instructions for other products separately.