Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents of toddlers

You’re looking for something for lunch, but age and product type matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts for children under 4.

Childcare catering buyer

You need to make sure the ingredients, allergen information and preparation meet the setting’s food policy and hygiene arrangements. The NVWA and RIVM provide relevant information, while organic certification is a separate check.

Buyer for an organic-minded kitchen

You want to be able to check the organic label on the exact pack and distinguish between unroasted cashews and unsalted varieties with sunflower oil. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn and PLUS describes these differences.

What should you look for when buying?

Nut butter for children under 4

Choose this when: you’re looking for a lunch spread for a child under 4 and nuts are permitted under the relevant arrangements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts.

Bear in mind: nut butter still contains nuts, so check the allergy arrangements, ingredients and organic label on the exact jar.

Organic, unroasted and unsalted

Choose this when: you’re looking for cashews for kitchen supplies that, according to the product information, haven’t been fried in oil. AH Biologisch Cashewnoten ongebrand 150 g states that this is how they’re prepared.

Bear in mind: unroasted whole nuts are still not suitable as a snack on their own for children under 4.

Organic and unsalted, with sunflower oil

Choose this when: an unsalted variety with oil suits your kitchen’s needs. The AH and BIO+ products reviewed list sunflower oil.

Bear in mind: unsalted doesn’t mean unroasted or free from added oil, and it doesn’t in itself indicate whether the product is suitable for young children.

Avoid cashews if they’re excluded

Choose this when: cashews are excluded for a child or the setting’s policy does not allow nuts.

Bear in mind: organic certification, grinding or heating does not make cashews allergen-free. Follow the agreed alternatives.

Check the exact pack and the arrangements for the children who will be having lunch. An organic certification mark is no substitute for checking the product type, ingredients and allergens.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Product type and age For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts. When I’m putting together lunch for young children, I want to choose a suitable product type first. Around 26% of consumers prioritise product type and age.
Allergies and setting policy Check that cashews and any warnings about other allergens are in line with individual arrangements and the setting’s policy. When allergy arrangements or a nut-free setting policy apply, I need to be able to rule out cashews as an option for that lunch. Around 26% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Organic certification Check the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin label on the exact pack. The European Commission sets out the conditions for using the logo. If I specifically want to buy organic, I want to be able to check the label on the pack. Around 21% of consumers prioritise verifiable organic certification.
Preparation and ingredients Check whether the variety is unroasted or fried in oil, and read the full ingredients list. When buying for a kitchen, I want to know whether I’m looking for unroasted nuts or an unsalted variety with oil. Around 16% of consumers make preparation and ingredients their main buying criteria.
Packaging and storage Choose a pack size that suits your needs and follow the storage instructions for the exact variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place. If the supplies will be used slowly, I want to choose a pack that I can seal securely and store in a dry place. Around 11% of consumers prioritise stock management.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming an organic snack pack is suitable for toddlers

    Organic certification relates to how a product is made, not whether whole nuts are suitable for young children. For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts.

    For this age group, choose the recommended product type, provided nuts are allowed under the individual arrangements and food policy.

  • Assuming ground or heated cashews are allergen-free

    Changing how cashews are prepared doesn’t change the fact that the product contains cashews. Grinding or heating them is therefore no reason to disregard an allergy arrangement that excludes them.

    Follow the arrangements for the child concerned and don’t choose cashews if they’re excluded.

  • Confusing unsalted with unroasted or oil-free

    The AH and BIO+ varieties reviewed and labelled as unsalted contain sunflower oil; the AH unroasted variety is described as not fried in oil.

    Compare the preparation method and ingredients on the exact pack rather than just reading the front.

  • Buying in bulk without suitable storage

    Nuts are susceptible to mould. A pack that isn’t sealed properly and kept dry does not meet the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice.

    Choose a quantity that suits your needs and follow the storage instructions for the variety you’ve chosen.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The organic varieties reviewed differ in how they’re prepared. The product information applies to these specific packs.

  • AH Biologisch Cashewnoten ongebrand 150 g is labelled unsalted and not fried in oil, with control code IT-BIO-009.
  • AH Biologisch Ongezouten cashewnoten 200 g lists 96% cashew nuts, sunflower oil and control code NL-BIO-01.
  • The product information warns of a choking risk for young children. Also read the allergen information on the current pack.

PLUS

BIO+ is the product brand name of the 200 g unsalted cashews reviewed.

  • The ingredients list states 99% organic cashew nuts and sunflower oil.
  • The pack states that the product may contain peanuts and warns of a choking risk for young children.

Jumbo

The product pages reviewed describe organic, unroasted cashews.

  • The varieties reviewed are Jumbo Biologisch Ongebrande Cashewnoten 175 g and Jumbo Biologische Ongebrande Cashewnoten Ongezouten 150 g.
  • The product pages state that these varieties are no longer part of the online range. This does not tell you anything about another variety or possible in-store stock.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists organic cashews and also describes a separate Way To Go range.

  • The organic product listing is relevant to this buying decision.
  • A Fairtrade label on Way To Go is not the same as organic certification. Check the labels on the exact pack.

ALDI

The Trader Joe’s cashews reviewed are sold as roasted salted and unsalted varieties in a 500 g pack.

  • The product information describes these preparation options and pack size.
  • This product listing does not substantiate organic certification. Assess the exact pack by checking its labels.

Duyvis

Duyvis Cashews Original is a savoury, seasoned cashew product roasted in the oven. The product information reviewed does not show it to be an organic option.

  • According to the manufacturer, the product is roasted without added oil.
  • The ingredients include salt, caramelised sugar and dextrose, among other things. The manufacturer’s description is not an independent taste assessment.

Products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put whole organic cashews in my toddler’s lunchbox?

For children under 4, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends nut butter with no added sugar or salt instead of whole nuts, because of the risk of choking. An organic label does not change this age-related advice.

Who has to provide allergen information for a lunch at a childcare setting?

According to the NVWA, businesses offering food to consumers must provide information about the allergens it contains. For prepacked products, this information is on the label; for non-prepacked products, it must be made available in another way. Under certain conditions, information can be given verbally, including making it clear that customers can ask for it.

Is a control code other than NL-BIO-01 suspicious?

Not simply because it’s a foreign code. The European Commission says that the EU organic logo must be accompanied by the control body code and an indication of origin. For example, the 150 g AH unroasted pack reviewed lists IT-BIO-009.

What hygiene rules apply when preparing and serving food at a childcare setting?

For childcare settings, the RIVM recommends following the Hygiene Code for Small Institutions or another approved hygiene code that covers the work being carried out. This is a hygiene standard for working practices, not a product certification mark.

Does the ALDI warning from May 2026 apply to every bag of cashews?

No. The NVWA warning of 20 May 2026 relates specifically to Trader Joe’s unsalted cashews, 170 g, with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026. If you still have this specific pack, don’t eat the cashews.