Choose unroasted, unsalted organic cashews if you want to avoid added salt or oil. Roasted, unsalted cashews are a good option if you prefer them roasted and are happy with sunflower oil. Check the organic certification, ingredients and pack size separately: organic doesn’t automatically mean unsalted. If you’re buying for a canteen that serves cashews loose, make sure you also provide the required allergen information.
You buy cashews for your own university lunch and want to distinguish their organic origin from how they’ve been prepared and whether salt has been added. Unroasted and roasted, unsalted varieties are different options. The European Commission explains organic labelling, while Albert Heijn and PLUS provide details for their specific products.
You want to split a pack over several lunches and choose a quantity that suits your consumption and storage needs. The Albert Heijn varieties mentioned come in 150 g and 400 g packs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a tightly sealed container in a dry place.
You’re buying for others, using cashews in dishes or serving them loose. In that case, it’s important to check the ingredients and warnings on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what allergen information customers must be given when food is sold loose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic origin | Check for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and an indication of the agricultural origin. The inspection code doesn’t have to be Dutch. | If you want certified organic cashews for your lunch and need to identify their origin on the pack, this is the top buying priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Preparation, salt and oil | Check whether the nuts are unroasted or roasted, and look at the ingredients for added salt and oil. | If you want to choose between unroasted and roasted nuts, avoid added salt or check the amount of oil, this preparation method comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how much you actually use. A stated serving size doesn’t mean the pack contains individually portioned servings. | If you want to match the quantity to your shopping budget and number of lunches, this is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the information on the exact pack. When selling nuts loose, the canteen must provide information about any allergens present and name the specific type of nut. | If you’re buying for others or serving cashews loose, you’ll want to check and pass on allergen information; this comes first for around 19% of consumers. |
| Storage and taking them with you | Choose an amount that suits your needs and follow the storage instructions on the pack. You may need to portion them yourself for lunch. | If you want to keep only a small supply and take your own lunch portions with you, this is the main buying need for around 12% of consumers. |
An organic variety may be roasted in oil and contain added salt. The organic label alone doesn’t tell you how the nuts have been prepared.
Check the certification, preparation method and ingredients separately before choosing a variety for lunch.
The serving size shown on the 150 g and 400 g Albert Heijn packs refers to a portion of the contents; it doesn’t mean the nuts are individually wrapped.
Choose a pack size based on how much you use. If needed, set aside time and containers to portion the nuts yourself and keep the pack sealed.
Information about possible other allergens varies between product varieties. An organic label doesn’t replace the information on the specific pack.
Check the exact pack and recipe. If you serve cashews loose, tell customers about any allergens present and name the specific type of nut.
The Jumbo product page states that its 175 g organic unroasted cashews are no longer part of its online range.
Use product information to compare features, but check separately whether the variety is available through your preferred sales channel.
AH Biologisch offers unroasted cashews in 150 g and 400 g packs.
BIO+ offers 200 g packs of roasted organic cashews in unsalted and salted varieties.
The product information describes 175 g of organic unroasted cashews, with cashews as the only ingredient.
Lidl lists 175 g packs of organic unroasted cashews for in-store purchase.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250 g pack.
Duyvis Cashews Sea Salt is a salted variety with coarsely ground sea salt, as described by the manufacturer.
No. The code of the relevant inspection body should appear alongside the EU organic logo, but it doesn’t have to be a Dutch code. The European Commission also specifies that the agricultural origin should be indicated. For example, a 150 g Albert Heijn pack lists IT-BIO-009.
No. The PLUS BIO+ varieties are roasted; the unsalted variety contains sunflower oil, while the salted variety contains added salt. Treat the organic label, preparation method and ingredients as separate product features.
The seller must tell customers about any allergens present and, for nuts, name the specific type of nut. Information can be provided in writing or electronically. It can also be given verbally, subject to certain conditions: the information must be available immediately before purchase, staff and inspectors must be able to access it, and customers must be clearly directed to it at the point of sale. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains these requirements.
No. On the Albert Heijn packs mentioned, 25 g is the serving size used on the label. That doesn’t automatically make it a personalised dietary recommendation.
Keep the nuts tightly sealed and dry. Follow the instructions on the pack too: the 400 g Albert Heijn variety should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place and resealed after use. Don’t assume there’s a fixed shelf life once the pack has been opened.
