Start with the specific ingredient you need to avoid, rather than a general ‘free from’ claim: the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority treats nuts and peanuts as allergens that must be listed separately. Then check the exact product variant. Avoiding gluten, managing lactose intolerance and avoiding a milk allergy each call for different checks.
If a food allergy is your first priority when shopping, check which nuts or peanuts are present and look for any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority treats nuts and peanuts as separate allergens.
If you have coeliac disease, you need to assess the exact product information; the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends, among other things, looking for the Crossed Grain symbol. If you have lactose intolerance, it’s important not to confuse it with a milk allergy, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains.
If nuts fit your diet, you could look for an unsalted option and check the packaging and storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides general nutritional information about nuts, but this doesn’t determine whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the current packaging for the exact product variant. | If you have a specific allergy, first check whether the relevant nut or peanut is present. Around 36% of consumers in this situation put avoiding allergens first. |
| Gluten suitability | Check the gluten-free claim and other labelling information; the Dutch Coeliac Society also mentions the Crossed Grain symbol. | If you have coeliac disease, don’t rely on the product category alone: check the labelling on the product you’ve chosen. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding gluten top priority. |
| Lactose or milk | Work out whether you need to avoid lactose or milk as an allergen, then check the relevant product information. | If you’re lactose intolerant or need to avoid milk, make sure your checks address your specific needs. Around 21% of consumers prioritise avoiding lactose or milk. |
| Unsalted options and storage | Check the product variant, pack size and storage instructions, and follow the directions on the packaging. | If nuts fit your diet and you’re looking for a handy addition to lunch, an unsalted option and storage requirements may be worth considering. Around 14% of consumers prioritise convenience at lunchtime. |
A dietary claim won’t necessarily answer every question about allergens. Nuts and peanuts are allergens in their own right, and a product may also carry a cross-contamination warning.
Start with the ingredient you need to avoid, then check the ingredients and warnings for the exact product variant.
Lactose intolerance relates to lactose, while a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins. So checking whether a product is suitable for someone avoiding lactose won’t necessarily answer questions about a milk allergy.
Check the product information for the specific needs that apply to you.
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and dietary or allergy information can change, and details may also differ between variants.
Read the current packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
Relevant if you want to explore the Dutch range of nuts and peanuts and check the manufacturer’s product information.
Own-brand option including AH Unsalted Nut Mix, with product-specific storage information.
Own-brand option with the product variant Jumbo Unsalted Nut Mix 200 g.
Supermarket range including Alesto nuts and dried fruit; the brand page also features Way To Go cashews.
Supermarket option featuring TRADER JOE'S Unsalted Nut Mix.
Own-brand option with PLUS Unsalted Nut Mix in a 200 g stand-up pouch.
This selection of Joybuy products includes unsalted peanuts, individual types of nuts, a nut mix and chestnut kernels. Always check the information for the exact product variant to make sure it meets your dietary needs.
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Consider this variant only if peanuts fit your diet; peanuts are listed as an ingredient.
The product information mentions possible traces of cashews.
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This variant may suit you if almonds fit your diet; check the allergen information on the packaging.
The product information lists almonds as an ingredient and allergen.
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Consider this variant only if cashews fit your diet; check the allergen information on the packaging.
The product information lists cashews as an ingredient and allergen.
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This mix is an option only if the nuts listed fit your diet; check the full product information.
The mix contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews, and may contain traces of peanuts.
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Consider these chestnut kernels only if chestnuts fit your diet.
The allergen information lists chestnuts.
No, not as a general claim about the category. Nuts and peanuts are allergens that must be listed separately. Whether a particular product is suitable for you depends on the allergen you need to avoid and the information for the exact product variant.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, lactose intolerance relates to lactose, while a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins. Make sure your product checks focus on the ingredient you need to avoid.
Check the labelling on the exact packaging and follow the Dutch Coeliac Society’s labelling guidance, including checking for the Crossed Grain symbol. The ‘gluten-free’ claim is subject to the conditions set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014; the European Commission states that this regulation has applied since 20 July 2016.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has also been checking the rules on cross-contamination warnings during inspections.
Albert Heijn advises storing AH Unsalted Nut Mix in a cool, dry place and resealing the pack securely after use. For other variants, follow the storage instructions on their own packaging.
