Only choose nuts for breakfast if you can check the organic certification on the exact pack; unroasted or unsalted does not automatically mean organic. The European Commission identifies the EU organic logo, control code and agricultural origin as key details to look for on the label. Then compare the ingredients, allergen information and packaging with what you need for breakfast.
You’re looking for nuts for breakfast and want to be able to check the organic certification on the packaging, rather than relying on a natural appearance. The European Commission describes the EU organic logo and its associated control and origin details as key things to look for.
You want to put together your own breakfast combination and are comparing a single type of nut with a ready-made mix. Check the ingredients and product variant: a brand name alone won’t tell you what’s in the product you’re buying.
You’re buying for several people and want to check allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about allergens must also be available for non-prepacked foods. This is especially important when you’re serving food to others.
First check the organic certification on the exact pack, then compare the ingredients, allergen information and quantity with your breakfast plans.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check the EU organic logo, control code and agricultural origin on the exact pack. The European Commission identifies these as key details on organic labels. | If you want to buy organic, you’ll want to be able to check the certification on the packaging. Around 36% of consumers prioritise organic assurance. |
| Ingredients | Decide whether you want a single type of nut or a mix, and check the ingredients list. Unsalted and organic are different product characteristics. | If you want to put together your own breakfast, the contents of the variant you choose matter more than the supermarket name alone. Around 29% of consumers prioritise their breakfast ingredients. |
| Allergens | Read the allergen information on the packaging. For non-prepacked products, the seller must make this information available in another way before purchase, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. | If you’re buying for several people, you’ll want to check in advance which allergens are listed. Around 21% of consumers prioritise allergen information. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the pack weight with the amount you need for breakfast, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. | If you’re stocking up on nuts for several breakfasts, you’ll want to choose a quantity that suits your needs and follow the storage advice for that variant. Around 14% of consumers prioritise quantity and storage. |
An unroasted or unsalted variant isn’t automatically organic. Skal Biocontrole describes organic as a legally protected term.
Check the organic certification on the exact pack. For prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold there as organic, the European Commission identifies the EU organic logo, control code and agricultural origin as relevant label details.
The organic certification doesn’t tell you which allergens are in the variant you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers need access to allergen information before buying.
Read the label before buying prepacked nuts. For non-prepacked products, ask for the available allergen information before choosing them for yourself or others.
The AH Biologisch Amandelen ongebrand product described is a single type of nut for anyone who wants to make their own breakfast combination.
Jumbo lists a 150 g Biologisch Ongebrande Notenmix for anyone looking for a mixed option.
PLUS lists an organic nut mix in a 150 g pack as a mixed option.
This selection features breakfast products containing nuts: a nut mix bar, oatmeal with walnut and peanut, and muesli with nuts and seeds. These aren’t packs of loose nuts. Check the packaging for organic certification, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant.
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This compact bar could suit you if you want to take nuts with you as part of breakfast or as a snack; it isn’t a pack of loose nuts.
The product name includes ‘Organic’; check the organic certification on the packaging. The listed ingredients include 38% peanuts and 16% almonds, as well as agave syrup, pumpkin seeds and raisins.
The allergen information lists peanuts, almonds and sesame seeds, and says that other nuts and sesame seeds may also be present.
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This is an oatmeal mix for anyone who wants walnut and peanut in a ready-to-prepare breakfast, not a pack of loose nuts.
The description lists 15% walnuts and 12% peanuts. It also mentions twenty 35 g sachets and preparation with boiling water; the product name states 838 g, so check the packaging details for the variant.
The allergen information lists walnuts, oats containing gluten and peanuts. The ingredients also include sugar, non-dairy creamer and other grains.
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This muesli is a good fit for a breakfast with grains, seeds and nuts; it isn’t a pack containing only nuts.
The listed hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts make up 8.5% of the ingredients. The pack weighs 450 g.
The allergen information includes milk, peanuts, soya, hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts. Check the packaging for information about the variant you buy.
The EU organic logo is compulsory for prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold there as organic. The European Commission also lists the control code and agricultural origin as parts of the labelling; don’t apply this requirement indiscriminately to every type of sale or origin.
Follow the storage advice and date on the packaging of your product. Albert Heijn recommends storing the organic almonds it reviewed at room temperature in a dark place. Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened unsalted cashews for six months in a kitchen cupboard or one year in the freezer; this advice applies to this type of product and not automatically to every nut mix.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for non-prepacked foods must be available before purchase. The seller can provide it, for example, on a card or verbally; if it’s given verbally, there must be a notice somewhere telling customers they can ask for it.
Organic is a legally protected term, and the registration or certification needed for a point of sale depends on the sales activity. Skal Biocontrole distinguishes between types of sales outlets and possible exemptions; an organic label on a product you’ve purchased doesn’t, by itself, determine which requirements apply to your business.
If you have doubts, Skal Biocontrole asks for information that can help assess the product and its sale, such as photos of the product and label, the shop name and a receipt. For questions about the PLUS variant reviewed, you can also contact PLUS customer service.
