If you want to snack as soon as the film starts, choose a product described as roasted and unsalted, and check the organic label on the packaging of that exact product. Unroasted peanuts are a good choice if you want to control the preparation and how much salt is added, but they take time to prepare. Check the organic label, ingredients and allergen information separately: a product name alone is no substitute for these checks.
You’re looking for peanuts for a film night and want to be able to check the organic label on the exact product. Skal Biocontrole explains that organic labels are protected; Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Biologisch Pinda’s ongezouten.
You want to avoid added salt, so you check the ingredients of the variety you’ve chosen. Organic and unsalted don’t mean the same thing: check both separately.
You want to roast the peanuts yourself in advance and decide how much salt to add. De Notenshop says its unroasted peanuts can be roasted at home.
Choose this when: you want to eat peanuts straight from a bowl during the film. De Notenshop describes its specific product as roasted, unsalted and ready to eat.
The trade-off: you’re choosing the producer’s preparation method, so check the ingredients and organic label for each product.
Choose this when: you want to roast the peanuts yourself before the film and decide how much salt to add. De Notenshop says its unroasted peanuts can be roasted at home.
The trade-off: preparing them yourself takes time. Follow the product instructions; there is no universally agreed preparation time or temperature.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic label | Check the label and certification information on the packaging of the exact product. Skal Biocontrole states that the EU organic logo is compulsory for pre-packed foods produced in the EU and sold as organic. | If I want to be sure the organic label applies to my choice, I check the packaging rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’. Around 34% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Salt and ingredients | Read the ingredients and check whether salt, oil, herbs or a coating have been added. Organic doesn’t automatically mean unsalted. | If I want to avoid added salt, I check the ingredients of the variety I’m buying. For around 25% of consumers, an unsalted product is the main consideration. |
| Preparation | Check whether the peanuts are roasted or unroasted, and follow the instructions on the packaging. | If I want to put the snack out straight away, a ready-to-eat option is more suitable; roasting them myself takes preparation. Around 25% of consumers focus mainly on this difference. |
| Pack size and storage | Choose a pack size to suit the number of people eating, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing peanuts in a cool, dark and dry place in a tightly sealed container. | I want to choose an amount I can store appropriately after the film. Around 16% of consumers make minimising leftovers their priority. |
The organic label and the ingredients answer different questions. You can’t assume a product is unsalted just because it’s organic.
Check both the organic label and the ingredients on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Peanut butter and peanut spread are different products from loose peanuts served in a bowl during a film. Jumbo, ALDI and PLUS list organic products in the form of peanut butter or peanut spread; that doesn’t make them the same as snacking peanuts.
If you’re looking for a film-night snack, check that the product contains whole peanuts.
If a pack is left open after the film, you’ll need to store it properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing peanuts in a cool, dark and dry place in a tightly sealed container.
Choose an amount that suits the number of people eating and how you expect to use any leftovers, and follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Biologisch Pinda’s ongezouten. This specific product name is a useful lead, but it doesn’t replace checking the organic label and up-to-date information on the packaging.
No. Skal Biocontrole explains that these labels are protected within the European Union and that their use requires a valid organic certificate. Skal states that the EU organic logo is compulsory for pre-packed foods produced in the EU and sold as organic.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists peanuts as one of the 14 allergens consumers must be informed about. For pre-packed products, allergen information must appear on the label; an organic label is no substitute for this information.
Don’t try experimenting with food yourself. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that a peanut allergy can be life-threatening and advises you to contact your GP if you suspect you have one.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place in a tightly sealed container. Look out for rancidity, a chewy texture and mould, and follow the storage advice and best-before information on the packaging.
De Notenshop says its organic unroasted peanuts can be roasted at home, allowing you to decide how much salt to add. Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought; there is no universally agreed roasting time or temperature.
