Hosts with guests who avoid nuts or peanuts
You want to know which types of nuts a snack contains and what warnings appear on the packaging. Nuts and peanuts are separate allergens, so choose according to what your guest actually needs to avoid.
Who is this relevant to?
Hosts buying gluten-free snacks
You’re looking for a suitable snack and want to account for ingredients in seasonings or coatings. Check the claim and the information on the specific packaging, rather than relying on the name of the nut alone.
Hosts catering for lactose or milk restrictions
You want to distinguish between lactose intolerance and a milk allergy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, while a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins.
What should you look for when choosing?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of nut and peanuts | Check which nuts are listed in the ingredients or allergen information, and whether peanuts are included. | If a guest needs to avoid certain nuts or peanuts, you don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Around 31% of consumers say avoiding specific nuts or peanuts is their top priority. |
| Gluten | Check the gluten-free claim and the ingredient and warning information for the exact variant. | If you’re buying gluten-free, you’ll also want to know whether a coating or flavouring adds any ingredients. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten. |
| Lactose or milk | Find out whether the restriction relates to lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, then check the relevant product information. | If a guest needs to avoid milk, you don’t want to confuse a lactose-free claim with information about milk proteins. Around 19% of consumers say distinguishing between lactose and milk is their top priority when shopping. |
| Serving separately | Keep the packaging and serve suitable portions separately, without mixing them with other snacks. | When serving snacks together, you’ll want to reduce the risk of mix-ups and contact with other snacks. Around 25% of consumers prioritise serving snacks clearly and separately. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming ‘free from’ means free from all allergens
A product may be labelled gluten-free or lactose-free and still contain nuts or carry warnings about other allergens.
Check which specific substance your guest needs to avoid, then read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Assuming lactose-free or vegan means suitable for someone with a milk allergy
Lactose intolerance is about milk sugar; a milk allergy is about milk proteins. So a lactose-free claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
Check the information about milk and milk derivatives on the exact packaging, and choose according to your guest’s dietary requirements.
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Treating a plain version and a seasoned version as the same product
Ingredients and warnings can vary between flavours and variants. For example, Duyvis lists milk, peanuts and gluten for Borrelnootjes Cocktail; Almonds Original has a different composition and a warning for wheat, peanuts and other nuts.
Check the name, flavour and packaging separately, even if you’ve bought a product from the same brand before.
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Mixing suitable snacks together in one bowl
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs can transfer gluten to another product. So even if the packaging is suitable, that doesn’t automatically mean the snacks are served separately.
Keep portions separate, don’t mix them with other snacks, and keep the original packaging nearby.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Duyvis
Relevant options include seasoned party nuts and almonds for a get-together.
- Duyvis provides ingredient and allergen information for individual products.
- The manufacturer lists milk, peanuts and gluten for Borrelnootjes Cocktail; Almonds Original has its own warning for wheat, peanuts and other nuts. Check each variant separately.
Albert Heijn
AH Unroasted Almonds 450 g is a specific variant to consider if almonds are suitable for your guests.
- Albert Heijn describes this variant as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free; almonds are listed as an ingredient.
- The product contains almonds and may contain peanuts and other nuts. These dietary claims are not a general guarantee that it is free from allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Mixed Nuts 200 g is a nut mix for guests who can eat the nuts and peanuts listed.
- Jumbo publishes ingredient information and details of present and possible allergens for this variant.
- The mix contains peanuts and several types of nuts. ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean a product is free from allergens.
Lidl
According to Lidl, the Alesto range includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
- The range offers different types of snacks for a get-together.
- The range description doesn’t say whether an individual pack is suitable for people avoiding gluten, lactose, peanuts or nuts; check the product information for each variant.
Aldi
Aldi describes an unsalted Trader Joe’s nut mix containing almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The product description names the four types of nuts in the mix.
- The description doesn’t provide a general guarantee that it is free from other allergens. Check the information on the individual pack.
PLUS
PLUS lists unsalted almonds and unroasted nut mixes, among other products, in its Dutch range.
- The range gives examples of the types of nut products available.
- Range information doesn’t determine whether a specific pack is suitable for someone avoiding nuts, peanuts, milk or gluten.
Nuts and party snacks at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products includes peanuts, chestnuts, almonds and a nut mix. For each variant, check which ingredients and warnings are suitable for your guests’ dietary requirements.
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g'woon unsalted peanuts 250 g
An option if your guests can eat peanuts; the product information lists peanuts as the main ingredient.
Contains peanuts and may contain cashews.
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Titiz roasted chestnuts 125 g
The product information lists chestnuts as an ingredient and says the product is gluten-free; check whether chestnuts are suitable for your guest.
Contains chestnuts. The gluten-free claim doesn’t mean the product is free from all allergens.
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g'woon raw unsalted almonds 200 g
An option if your guests can eat almonds; the product name specifies raw, unsalted almonds.
Contains almonds. Check the current packaging for the full ingredient and allergen information.
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g'woon roasted unsalted cashews 200 g
A nut mix to consider if the nuts listed are suitable for your guests’ dietary requirements.
The product information lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; peanuts and other nuts may also be present.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘may contain’ mean on packaging?
It warns that an allergen may be unintentionally present; it doesn’t mean the allergen was deliberately added as an ingredient. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, new rules on warnings about cross-contamination on prepacked foods have applied since 1 January 2026. Discuss the warning for the relevant allergen with your guest.
Does ‘gluten-free’ mean free from all allergens?
No. ‘Gluten-free’ refers specifically to gluten and doesn’t mean a product is free from nuts, peanuts, milk or other allergens. EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014 sets out the requirements for the claims ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’ and has applied since 20 July 2016.
How can you keep suitable party snacks separate?
Keep snacks in their original packaging and serve suitable portions separately, without mixing them with other products. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that gluten can be transferred, for example, through crumbs.
What should you do if the packaging differs from the online product information?
Check the packaging you’ve received again and ask the retailer or manufacturer for clarification before offering the product to the guest concerned. Ingredients and allergen information can change; the Food Allergy Foundation advises checking the full ingredients list again with every purchase.
Is lactose-free suitable for someone with a milk allergy?
Not without checking the rest of the product information. Lactose is milk sugar, while a milk allergy relates to milk proteins. So check the information about milk on the specific packaging and follow your guest’s dietary requirements.