Terrace-goers with a food allergy
You want to know before buying which nuts or peanuts a product contains and what warnings apply to possible traces. Nuts and peanuts are separate allergens; Stichting Voedselallergie explains the difference.
Who is this guide for?
Terrace-goers who avoid gluten or milk
You compare the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’ or ‘unsalted’. Duyvis Borrelnootjes® Cocktail lists milk, peanuts and gluten; this information applies to that variant.
Organisers of a terrace get-together
You want to be able to discuss guests’ dietary requirements and choose a pack that suits the occasion. The NVWA states that food businesses must inform consumers about allergens in non-prepacked foods.
What should you look out for when choosing?
A nut mix with a clear ingredients list
Choose this if: you can eat the listed types of nuts and want to compare the ingredients.
Bear in mind: Duyvis warns that the mix may contain traces of peanuts and various nuts; an ingredients list is not a free-from guarantee.
Coated party nuts
Choose this if: you’re looking for a crunchy coating and can eat the allergens listed for the exact flavour variant.
Bear in mind: Duyvis Borrelnootjes® Cocktail lists milk, peanuts and gluten; this doesn’t automatically apply to other variants.
A snack that isn’t a nut product
Choose this if: the nuts available contain an allergen that you or a guest needs to avoid.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to check another snack for the ingredients and allergens that are relevant to you.
| What to consider | What to look out for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and traces | Check which nuts and peanuts are listed as ingredients, and look for warnings about possible presence. | When choosing for someone with a food allergy, I want to know the specific ingredients and warnings; around 36% of consumers put allergen avoidance first. |
| Gluten | Check the exact flavour variant, any gluten-containing ingredients and any warnings or gluten-free claim. | If I avoid gluten, I compare product information for each variant instead of relying on the name; around 29% of consumers make avoiding gluten their top purchasing priority. |
| Milk and lactose | Decide whether you need to avoid milk as an allergen, lactose or animal-derived ingredients, then read the ingredients information. | If I avoid milk or lactose, I want to take the difference between an allergy and an intolerance into account; around 21% of consumers start with this requirement. |
| Portions and serving | Compare the pack size with the number of guests and keep the product information available when serving. | For a get-together with several guests, I consider portions and information at the point of serving; around 14% of consumers give practical presentation top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming nuts are free from all allergens
Nuts and peanuts are separate allergens. A product may suit one dietary requirement while containing an allergen that another guest needs to avoid.
First, establish which specific ingredient needs to be avoided, then assess the exact product. Don’t present nuts as a snack that is generally safe for people with allergies.
-
Taking ‘natural’ or ‘unsalted’ as a dietary guarantee
Duyvis Borrelnootjes® Cocktail lists milk, peanuts and gluten. A flavour or preparation description doesn’t change this product information.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant before choosing based on flavour or preparation method.
-
Assuming an ingredient isn’t present because it isn’t listed
Duyvis Unsalted Nutmix Walnut doesn’t list peanuts as an intentional ingredient, but it does warn that traces of peanuts may be present.
Check both the ingredients list and the warning about possible accidental presence.
-
Using a vegan label as an allergen check
A vegan label doesn’t automatically answer questions about all allergens. A milk allergy and lactose intolerance are also different requirements.
Use a dietary label only for the property it describes, and check the full allergen information if you have an allergy.
Brands and product ranges for reference
Duyvis
The product information gives examples of both a nut mix and coated party nuts. The properties listed apply to each variant, not to the brand as a whole.
- According to Duyvis, Unsalted Nutmix Walnut contains almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts and sunflower oil.
- Duyvis warns that this mix may contain traces of peanuts and various nuts. Borrelnootjes® Cocktail lists milk, peanuts and gluten.
Albert Heijn
AH Notenmix ongezouten is a supermarket own-brand option for anyone looking for an unsalted nut mix.
- The product name makes it clear that this is an unsalted mix.
- Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging; ‘unsalted’ doesn’t mean a product is suitable for a specific allergy or free-from requirement.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 200 g Noten Mix Ongezouten, which may suit anyone choosing based on product type and pack size.
- The product information confirms the product name and pack size.
- The product name alone doesn’t support a claim that the mix is gluten-free, milk-free or free from allergens.
Lidl
Lidl lists unsalted Californian pistachios for anyone specifically looking for pistachios rather than a mixed nut selection.
- The product page identifies the product type and the unsalted variant.
- Pistachios are a type of nut that must be assessed separately; ‘unsalted’ says nothing about whether allergens are present.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S Notenmelange ongezouten, with almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The product description names the types of nuts in the mix.
- This mix isn’t suitable for anyone who needs to avoid one of the listed types of nuts; the product description doesn’t provide a general free-from guarantee.
PLUS
PLUS lists an unroasted, unsalted nut mix in a 500 g stand-up pouch, as well as a vegan label for Duyvis Oven roasted noten mix 125 g.
- The product ranges offer different points to consider, such as preparation method, pack size and a vegan label.
- A vegan label is not a general allergen-free declaration. PLUS advises customers to check the current packaging.
Nuts and snacks at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products includes unsalted peanuts and nuts, roasted chestnuts and coated peanuts. Check each variant to make sure its ingredients and warnings meet your dietary requirements.
Image unavailable
g'woon Unsalted Peanuts 250 g
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil, with possible cashew nuts. Suitable only if you can eat peanuts; check the packaging for the latest warnings.
Image unavailable
Titiz Roasted Chestnuts 125 g
The product description lists 100% chestnuts and says they’re ready to eat. Check the ingredients list and warnings on the packaging for your specific dietary requirement.
Image unavailable
g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted 200 g
This variant is roasted and unsalted; the product information lists cashews. Suitable only if you can eat cashews; also check the latest warnings on the packaging.
Image unavailable
g'woon Unroasted Mixed Nuts 500 g
The product information lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, and warns that traces of peanuts and other nuts may be present. Assess this mix using the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.
Image unavailable
Koh-Kae Coated Peanuts Coconut Cream 110 g
The product information lists peanuts, wheat, egg and sweetened condensed milk in its ingredients and allergen information. Check this carefully if you need to avoid any of these ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Does a terrace bar have to tell you which allergens are in a bowl of nuts?
Yes. The NVWA states that food businesses must inform consumers about allergens in non-prepacked foods. Ask for information about the snack that’s actually being served.
Does a warning about possible cross-contamination mean the allergen is definitely in every pack?
No. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains that a warning about possible cross-contamination indicates a possible risk, not that gluten is present in every pack. Don’t use this distinction as a reason to ignore the warning.
Can I use ‘lactose-free’ as a selection criterion if I have a milk allergy?
No. ‘Lactose-free’ isn’t a substitute for checking whether milk is present as an allergen. Voedingscentrum distinguishes between a reaction to milk proteins in a milk allergy and a reaction to milk sugar in lactose intolerance.
Does a vegan label mean a product is free from allergens?
No. A vegan label doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is free from a specific allergen. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant.
What should I do if the packaging and online product information differ?
Check the packaging of the product you want to eat and contact the shop if you’re unsure. Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging and contact customer services with any questions; PLUS also refers customers to the latest product information.