Who are these almonds for?

Lunch add-ons

You’re looking for organic almonds to eat on their own or add to your lunch, and want to identify an unroasted, unsalted variety. Check the information on the packaging of the specific product.

Mindful pack-size shoppers

You want to choose a pack size that suits how much you use. The options listed range from 150 and 175 g to 400 g. If you’ll use the pack over several occasions, it’s also important to seal and store it properly.

Canteen buyers

You’re buying almonds for several people and need to have the product and allergen information available when serving them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that consumers must be able to access this information before buying.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check the organic label on the exact product you’re considering. Then compare the ingredients and how the almonds are prepared, and choose a pack size that suits how you’ll use and store them.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most relevant to?
Organic certification Check the EU organic logo and inspection details on the product you’ve chosen. According to the European Commission, the logo may only be used on products certified as organic by an approved control authority or control body. If organic origin is my deciding factor, I check the packaging rather than relying on the brand name alone. Around 25% of consumers make verifiable organic certification their top priority when buying.
Ingredients and salt Read the ingredients list and check separately whether the almonds are unroasted and unsalted. These qualities aren’t guaranteed by an organic label. I want an unsalted variety with ingredients that suit my lunch. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this composition.
Pack size Compare the net weight with how much you use for your lunches. The packs listed contain 150, 175 or 400 g. I want to choose a pack size that suits how much I use, without building up more stock than I need. Around 20% of consumers make pack size their top priority.
Portioning and storage Check the storage instructions and whether you can seal the pack properly after opening. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a cool, dark, dry place in a tightly sealed container. If I use one pack for several lunches, I want to be able to portion and store it easily. Around 15% of consumers make ease of portioning and storage their top priority.
Allergen information Check which allergens may be present and what precautionary statements appear on the packaging. For unpackaged food, allergen information must be available before purchase. I’m buying for several people and want to know what product information I need to pass on. Around 20% of consumers make allergen information their top priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Mistaking ‘pure and natural’ or ‘no added fat’ for organic

    These descriptions don’t mean the same thing as organic certification. For Alesto, ‘pure and natural’ refers to the brand’s positioning; Duyvis describes its Almonds Original as roasted without adding oil or fat.

    Check the EU organic logo and inspection details on the specific pack before choosing a variety as organic.

  • Losing track of allergen information when decanting

    Information about the almonds and the possible presence of other allergens is listed for each product. Without the correct product details, a canteen can’t pass this information on reliably.

    Keep the information from the pack you’re using with the product, and update it whenever you switch varieties.

    Serving unpackaged food requires extra organisation to keep the information available.

  • Choosing a large pack without somewhere suitable to store it

    If you’re using a pack over several lunches, you’ll need to be able to seal it properly after opening and store it appropriately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that nuts are susceptible to mould and can absorb odours.

    Choose a pack size that suits how much you use and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

    A larger stock-up needs space and a suitable container that seals securely.

  • Assuming an organic ingredient makes a canteen service organic

    Certification for the almonds describes the product. It doesn’t, by itself, prove that a prepared lunch or canteen service is organically certified.

    Keep the product information for the ingredients you’ve bought separate from any claims about the prepared lunch or service.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

AH Biologisch lists unroasted almonds in 150 g and 400 g packs.

  • The product information for these varieties includes organic labelling and inspection details.
  • The 150 g variety is described as unsalted; check the details on each pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo Biologisch Ongebrande Amandelen 175 g is an option if you want a smaller pack.

  • The product description says the almonds are organic and unsalted, and gives the control code NL-BIO-01.
  • The allergen information mentions the possible presence of peanuts and sesame, among other allergens; check the packaging.

PLUS

Biologisch PLUS Amandelen biologisch Per Kuipje 150 g is described as almonds with their skins on.

  • The product information lists organic ingredients and describes the almonds as unroasted and unsalted.
  • The possible presence of other nuts and peanuts is mentioned; check the current packaging.

Duyvis

Duyvis Almonds Original is a roasted almond variety with a savoury flavour.

  • Duyvis says no oil or fat is added during roasting.
  • The ingredients list includes salt and other ingredients; this product description doesn’t prove organic certification.

Lidl

Lidl stocks its Alesto nut range alongside a separate Bio Organic range.

  • These product ranges give you a basis for comparing the specific almond product and its claims.
  • ‘Pure and natural’ on Alesto products doesn’t indicate organic certification; check the specific pack.

ALDI

ALDI lists roasted Trader Joe’s almonds and also has a separate organic range.

  • The Trader Joe’s description lists 200 g roasted varieties, either salted or smoke-flavoured.
  • A separate organic range, which includes almond drink, doesn’t show that this whole-almond variety is organically certified.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are organic almonds automatically unsalted?

No. Organic certification and salt content are separate qualities. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties listed are described as unsalted; check the packaging of the variety you choose.

How should you store an opened pack of almonds?

Store almonds in a cool, dark, dry place in a tightly sealed container, and follow the instructions on the packaging too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends these storage conditions for nuts.

What allergen information must a university canteen provide for unpackaged almonds?

Consumers must be able to access allergen information before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses this requirement for food information; Dutch regulations state that staff must be able to access the information in writing or electronically. Keep the product information about the possible presence of other allergens too.

Does organic certification for almonds mean the canteen lunch is organically certified?

No. Certification for an ingredient doesn’t automatically apply to a prepared lunch or canteen service. The European Commission describes the EU organic logo as applying to organically certified products; keep that product information separate from any claims about a prepared lunch.

How do you choose the right pack size?

Match the pack size to how much you use and whether you can seal and store the opened pack properly. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS packs listed contain 150, 175 or 400 g; the 400 g pack states that it contains 16 portions of 25 g. This is product information, not personal dietary advice.