Only buy peanuts if the packaging for that exact product clearly identifies them as organic; ‘natural’ or ‘unsalted’ is no substitute. For breakfast, unsalted may be a useful option, while selling at a Christmas market means you should also consider allergen information, hygienic storage and how you plan to sell them. Organic peanut butter can work as a spread for breakfast, but it is not the same as whole peanuts.
You’re looking for peanuts with a verifiable organic label, and also want to check for yourself whether they’re unsalted and what ingredients they contain. Skal Biocontrole explains that ‘organic’ is a protected term.
If you sell or prepare peanuts at a market, clear allergen information and hygienic storage are important. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) provides guidance on allergen information and food safety when selling at markets and events.
If you’re mainly looking for something to spread on bread, organic peanut butter may be a separate option. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe organic peanut butter as a ground product; it is not a substitute for whole peanuts.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiably organic | Check the organic label and details on the packaging for the exact product; ‘natural’ alone is not proof. Skal Biocontrole explains how to identify the organic label. | I want to be able to check before buying whether this particular pack is organic. For around 31% of consumers, verifiable organic status is their top buying priority. |
| Ingredients for breakfast | Check the ingredients list for added salt and oil, and make sure you know whether you’re buying whole peanuts or a spread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends unsalted nuts for everyday use. | When choosing peanuts for breakfast, I want to know what has been added and what type of product I’m buying. For around 25% of consumers, the ingredients for breakfast come first. |
| Serving safely | Check the allergen information on the exact pack and make sure the information you give customers reflects whether you’re selling pre-packed or unpackaged food. The NVWA lists peanuts as an allergen that customers must be told about. | I want to be able to explain clearly what’s in my offering at a Christmas market and handle food safely. For around 25% of consumers, serving food safely is their top buying priority. |
| Quantity, storage and how you sell | Choose an amount you can store in a dry, tightly sealed container. If you’re selling the peanuts, check which requirements apply to your selling method. Skal Biocontrole distinguishes between pre-packed sales, loose sales and catering, among other things. | I want to match what I buy to how I plan to use and sell it. For around 19% of consumers, keeping purchasing manageable is their main consideration. |
An organic label does not change the fact that peanuts are an allergen. Other potential allergens can also vary from product to product.
Use the allergen information on the exact pack and communicate it clearly to customers when selling.
‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean there are no other ingredients. The documented organic AH product also contained organic sunflower oil.
Read the full ingredients list if you’re looking for a product with no added oil.
Skal Biocontrole distinguishes between selling products in their original packaging, selling them loose, processing them and catering. The requirements may therefore depend on exactly what you do.
Map out your activities and consult the Skal certification checker before repacking peanuts for sale.
Repacking products yourself may involve extra administration if your activities require certification.
In 2023, the Consumers’ Association published a taste test of 100% peanut butter. That test covers a different type of product from organic whole peanuts.
So don’t use the test to judge whole peanuts. Check the product type and the details on the packaging when making your choice.
The brands mentioned offer different types of products; a brand name or preparation method alone does not prove that a product is organic. Check the organic label and ingredients for each product.
A useful reference for organic whole peanuts and organic peanut butter as a separate breakfast option.
A reference for organic peanut butter as a spread for breakfast.
A product page for BIO Organic Peanut Paste makes this a reference for the separate peanut paste category.
The brand description mentions fried, roasted, marinated and coated peanuts.
The product page for PLUS 300 g Unsalted Roasted Peanuts is a reference for an unsalted option.
The product page describes roasted and salted peanuts in a 500 g pack.
No. Check the organic label and the details that go with it on the packaging. Skal Biocontrole explains that ‘organic’ is a protected term; a simple ingredients list is a separate feature.
Store peanuts in a dry, tightly sealed container and follow the instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing nuts in a dry, tightly sealed container. If you’re selling at a market, also use clean equipment and keep your work area hygienic in line with NVWA guidance.
Yes. If you sell food to customers, you must tell them about allergens. The NVWA lists peanuts as one of the allergens that customers need information about. For unpackaged food, you may be able to provide this information verbally, subject to certain conditions; make sure customers know they can ask for it.
It depends on what you do and how you sell; there isn’t one answer that applies to every stall. Skal Biocontrole distinguishes between selling products in their original packaging, selling them loose or processing them, and catering, among other things. Check how your own business operates using the Skal certification checker, especially if you repack products yourself.
The NVWA says that anyone who prepares and sells food several times a year must have one. You must also handle food safely and hygienically when selling at a market. This guidance does not, by itself, establish a general exemption for every one-off sale; check which requirements apply to your situation.
