Travellers avoiding gluten or lactose
Look for the specific dietary claim on the exact pack. Albert Heijn describes AH Amandelen ongezouten as gluten-free and lactose-free; this doesn’t mean the product is free from other allergens.
Who are train-friendly nut snacks for?
Travellers with a food allergy
Compare the ingredients and precautionary warnings with the allergen you need to avoid. Stichting Voedselallergie distinguishes between peanuts and tree nuts, so a gluten-free claim doesn’t mean a nut snack is suitable for someone with a nut or peanut allergy.
Travellers who portion their snacks in advance
A pack may contain several portions. Albert Heijn lists a serving size of 25 grams for AH Amandelen ongezouten and advises closing the pack securely after use and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place.
What should you look for when choosing?
Almonds with a gluten-free or lactose-free claim
Choose this option: if you avoid gluten or lactose and don’t need to avoid almonds, peanuts or other nuts.
Bear in mind: these claims don’t automatically apply to other allergens; AH Amandelen ongezouten contains almonds and may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Plain unsalted nuts or nut mix
Choose this option: if you can eat the nuts listed and are looking for an unsalted variety.
Bear in mind: a short ingredients list doesn’t replace checking precautionary warnings.
Coated cocktail nuts
Choose this option: if the ingredients in the exact flavour suit your dietary needs.
Bear in mind: Duyvis lists milk, peanuts and gluten as allergens in Borrelnootjes Cocktail; this doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.
Avoid nut snacks if you have an incompatible allergy
Choose this option: if the allergen you need to avoid is listed as an ingredient or in a relevant warning on the pack.
Bear in mind: if you choose an alternative outside the nut category, you’ll still need to check it for your specific allergens.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding the right allergen | Compare the ingredients and the full precautionary warning with the allergen you need to avoid. | If I have a specific food allergy, I check both details on the pack. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding one allergen their top priority. |
| Whether the variety is gluten-free | Check the gluten-free claim and ingredients for the exact flavour. | If you avoid gluten, don’t rely on the word ‘nuts’ alone. Around 23% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten. |
| Distinguishing lactose from milk | Work out whether you need to avoid lactose or milk, then check the relevant product information. | If I avoid lactose, I don’t want to confuse that with a milk allergy assessment. Around 18% of consumers give avoiding lactose their top priority. |
| Portion size and storage | Check the pack size, stated serving size, and instructions for closing and storing the product. | For a train journey, I want to take an amount that suits my needs and store the rest as directed on the pack. Around 18% of consumers give portioning and storage their top priority. |
| Choosing an unsalted variety | Once you’ve checked that the ingredients suit you, see whether the variety is labelled unsalted. | If I’ve found a suitable type of nut, an unsalted variety may be the deciding factor. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Pitfalls to avoid when buying nut snacks
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Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means free from all allergens
Albert Heijn describes AH Amandelen ongezouten as gluten-free, but it contains almonds and may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Only apply a dietary claim to the ingredient it refers to, and check the ingredients and allergen warnings for your specific needs too.
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Assuming cocktail nuts contain only nuts
As well as peanuts, Duyvis lists milk and gluten in Borrelnootjes Cocktail.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact flavour, including the coating.
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Assuming a short ingredients list means there’s no risk of cross-contamination
PLUS lists almonds as an ingredient and also warns that the product may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Read the ingredients list and warning separately. If you have an allergy, don’t use the ingredients list alone to decide whether to buy a product.
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Treating a retail pack as a single portion for your journey
AH Amandelen ongezouten comes in a 190-gram pack, and Albert Heijn lists a serving size of 25 grams. The retailer also provides instructions for closing and storing the pack.
Decide in advance how much you want to take, and store the rest as directed on the pack.
Taking a suitable portion and storing the rest properly can help prevent uneaten nuts from going to waste.
Brands to consider
The examples below refer to specific product information and ranges; a mention isn’t a general guarantee about the brand or all its varieties.
Duyvis
Worth considering for cocktail nuts and nut mixes; always check the individual variety.
- Duyvis lists milk, peanuts and gluten as allergens in Borrelnootjes Cocktail.
- This variety isn’t suitable if you need to avoid any of those allergens; the information doesn’t automatically apply to other Duyvis products.
Albert Heijn
AH Amandelen ongezouten 190 g is worth considering if you’re looking for a product with explicit gluten-free and lactose-free claims.
- Albert Heijn lists the ingredients, a serving size of 25 grams and storage advice.
- The product contains almonds and may contain peanuts and other nuts; these claims don’t mean it’s free from all allergens.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Ongebrande Notenmix 200 g reviewed is an unsalted mix of four listed types of nuts.
- Jumbo lists almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and walnuts in the product information.
- The information warns that the product may contain peanuts and nuts; this mix isn’t a peanut-free or nut-free option.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands’ Alesto range page lists product types such as almonds and cashews.
- The range page gives you a way to browse Alesto nut products.
- A product appearing in the range doesn’t confirm that a specific variety is gluten-free or suitable for someone with an allergy.
Aldi
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Notenmelange ongezouten 500 g as a mix of almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The product information lists the ingredients and confirms that this mix is unsalted.
- The listed ingredients don’t confirm that the product is free from all allergens or suitable for someone with a nut allergy.
Plus
PLUS Amandelen ongebrand en ongezouten, stazak 200 g is a specific almond variety.
- The retailer lists almonds as an ingredient.
- PLUS warns that the product may contain peanuts and other nuts.
Nut snacks at Joybuy
These products range from individual nuts to ready-to-eat nut and chestnut snacks. Check the named ingredient and allergen information for each product before choosing.
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Jia Zhou Yuan Ye Original Almond Kernels 160 g
Suitable if you’re specifically looking for ready-to-eat almond kernels.
The product description lists 100% almond kernels and a resealable 160 g pack.
Contains almonds; check the full allergen information on the product packaging.
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g'woon raw unsalted almonds 200 g
Suitable if you’re looking for raw, unsalted almonds.
The product title lists almonds and a pack size of 200 g. The product information lists almonds as an ingredient.
After opening, the product information advises closing the pack securely and storing it in a cool, dry place.
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g'woon roasted unsalted cashews 200 g
Suitable if you’re specifically looking for roasted, unsalted cashews.
The product title lists cashews and a pack size of 200 g. The product information identifies cashews as an allergen.
Check the full ingredients and allergen information if you need to avoid other ingredients.
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Three Squirrels New & Unique Sweet Chestnut Kernels 400 g
Suitable if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat chestnut snack in individual packs.
The product description lists 100% chestnut kernels and a total pack size of 400 g.
Check the allergen information on the exact pack for any other ingredients.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix 750 g / 30 sachets
Suitable if you’re looking for a mix of nuts and dried fruit in individual portions to take on the go.
The product information lists 30 individually wrapped 25 g portions.
The allergen information lists walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts; also check the full packaging for any other relevant information.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘free from’ mean on nut products?
Check which ingredient the product is claimed to be free from. A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t mean the product is free from nuts, peanuts or all other allergens.
Are plain nuts automatically suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Nuts are naturally gluten-free, but a processed nut snack may contain other ingredients. So check the ingredients, warnings and product claims for the exact variety.
Can I choose almonds if I have a peanut allergy?
Not without checking the information on the exact pack. Peanuts and tree nuts are different allergens, but Albert Heijn and PLUS both warn that their almond products reviewed may contain peanuts.
Does allergen information have to appear on packaged nut snacks?
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Check the information on the product you’re actually buying.
Have Dutch rules on cross-contamination warnings changed?
The rules for allergen warnings about possible cross-contamination have been in force since 1 January 2026. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority oversees their implementation; this doesn’t mean that every individual product is allergen-free.
How should I store leftover nuts after my train journey?
Follow the instructions on the exact pack. For the AH almonds reviewed, Albert Heijn advises closing the pack securely and storing it in a cool, dark and dry place. Jumbo also recommends storing the nut mix reviewed in a cool, dry and dark place.