Who is this advice for?

An almond snack for your toddler

For parents and carers who want to decide which product form is suitable first. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than nuts for children under 4.

Making an organic breakfast at home

For households that want to use almonds as an ingredient and choose how to prepare them. The Dutch government describes ‘organic’ as a protected designation for certified organic products.

Taking allergens into account

For carers who need to consider a known allergy or the rules at a nursery or school. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides information about allergens on labels; check directly with the nursery or school about its rules.

What should you look for when buying?

When choosing almonds for a toddler’s snack or breakfast, start with the product form. Then check the organic designation, ingredients and any allergen information.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Product form and preparation Check whether the product is a butter or contains whole nuts. Don’t give whole almonds as a snack to children under 4; Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter. If I’m choosing something for a child under 4, I first check the form and how much preparation it needs. Around 29% of consumers prioritise product form and processing.
Organic designation Check the packaging of the exact variant for an organic designation and the EU organic logo; a shop’s organic range doesn’t necessarily mean every product is organic. If you’re looking for a verifiably organic product, check the packaging of each variant. Around 23% of consumers give the recognition of organic certification their highest priority.
Added sugar and salt Read the ingredients list. Amsterdam UMC names nut butter with no added sugar or salt as an alternative to nuts for children under 4. If I want to keep the ingredients as simple as possible, I check for added sugar and salt. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this check.
Allergens and rules at the destination Read the latest allergen information. If you’re taking the product to a nursery or school, check its rules. For carers who need to consider a known allergy or rules at the destination, allergen information is crucial. Around 18% of consumers prioritise allergens or rules at the destination.
Quantity and preparation Check the pack size and how much you can realistically use. For this toddler use, whole almonds still need to be processed into a suitable form. If I’m buying almonds as an ingredient, I weigh up the pack size against the preparation involved. Around 12% of consumers focus mainly on quantity and preparation.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming organic whole almonds are a ready-to-eat toddler snack

    For children under 4, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than nuts. An organic designation doesn’t change the product’s form.

    Choose a suitable form first. In this situation, consider whole almonds only as an ingredient to be processed further.

  • Assuming unsalted, oil-free or 100% means organic

    These are different product claims. Descriptions such as ‘unsalted’ or ‘100% almond butter’ don’t in themselves prove organic certification.

    Check the organic designation, ingredients and product form separately on the packaging of the exact variant.

  • Thinking that grinding removes a nut allergen

    Almonds remain a nut allergen when processed into butter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergenic substances must be clearly and correctly listed on the label.

    Read the latest allergen information and, if there’s a known allergy, follow the advice of the healthcare professional responsible for their care. Check the rules at the nursery or school if the snack is going with your child.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Organic Unroasted Almonds is a variant that Albert Heijn describes as organic and unroasted.

  • The product name specifies organic, unroasted almonds.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and product information; this variant isn’t automatically a ready-to-eat toddler snack.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Organic Unroasted Almonds 175 g and 100% Almond Butter 180 g as separate products.

  • The almond listing specifies an organic variant; the butter is a separate product form.
  • The 100% label on the butter isn’t proof of organic certification. Check the label on the variant you choose.

PLUS

PLUS lists Organic PLUS Organic Almonds in a 150 g tub.

  • The product name and pack size specify a particular variant.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and origin; this information may change.

ALDI

ALDI lists 200 g of Trader Joe’s almonds as roasted and unsalted.

  • The product description states how the almonds are prepared and that this variant is unsalted.
  • Unsalted doesn’t prove organic certification. For a toddler, consider whole nuts in this context as an ingredient to be processed further.

Duyvis

Duyvis describes Almonds Original as oven-roasted almonds in a 125 g pack.

  • According to the manufacturer’s product description, this variant is prepared without added oil or fat.
  • This is the manufacturer’s description, not an independent assessment for toddlers or proof of organic certification. Check the current ingredients too.

Almond products at Joybuy

This Joybuy selection consists of raw, unsalted almonds to use as an ingredient and process further, not as a ready-to-eat toddler snack. If organic origin is important to you, check the packaging for an organic designation.

g'woon raw, unsalted almonds, 200 g

g'woon Almonds, raw and unsalted, 200 g

Suitable as a household ingredient to process further; don’t give whole almonds as a snack to children under 4.

The product name specifies raw and unsalted. The product information lists almonds as an ingredient.

Check the current packaging for an organic designation and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can you give a toddler whole almonds if they’re organic?

For children under 4, Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter rather than nuts. Organic certification relates to how the product is produced; it doesn’t change the form of the nut.

How can I identify organic almonds?

According to the Dutch government, ‘organic’ is a protected designation for certified organic products. Check the label on the exact variant and look for the EU organic logo; a shop that sells organic products doesn’t automatically sell every almond variant as organic.

Is 100% almond butter automatically organic?

No. ‘100%’ and an organic designation don’t mean the same thing. Check both the ingredients and the organic information on the packaging.

Can you make almond butter yourself?

A nut butter recipe describes grinding nuts in a food processor until smooth. A recipe that also uses cashews and salt isn’t specifically designed for toddlers, so don’t automatically use those ingredients. Amsterdam UMC recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt for children under 4.

Does almond butter remain an allergen?

Yes. Almonds are nut allergens and remain so when processed into butter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergenic substances must be clearly and correctly listed on the label.