For a picnic, you can choose loose peanuts according to the ingredients you prefer, but check their organic status separately: a product name or unsalted flavour does not, on its own, prove that they are certified organic. Peanut butter is a different option for breakfast. If you’re sharing peanuts, also check the allergen information and be aware that whole peanuts can pose a choking risk to children.
You’re looking for organic peanuts and want to check their certification rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’ or ‘pure’. The European Commission and Skal Biocontrole explain organic labelling and certification requirements.
You’re looking for unsalted peanuts or a spread to enjoy outdoors and want to compare the ingredients. The Voedingscentrum offers advice on nuts; Jumbo also lists organic peanut butter as a separate product type.
You’re mindful of food allergies and, if children are joining you, the texture of the food. The NVWA explains allergen information, while the Voedingscentrum warns against giving whole peanuts to children.
First decide whether you want loose peanuts or a spread. Then check the organic labelling and ingredients, as well as what you’ll need to keep the peanuts fresh and share them safely during your picnic.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check the relevant organic labelling and inspection body code. The EU organic logo is not required in every situation. | If I want to take organic peanuts with me, I want to be able to assess the labelling on the actual product. Around 31% of consumers prioritise verifiable certification. |
| Sharing safely | Read the allergen information on the current packaging and discuss any relevant allergies. Be aware that whole peanuts can pose a choking risk to children. | If I’m sharing peanuts with others, I want to take allergies and any children at the table into account. Around 13% of consumers make sharing safely their top priority. |
| Ingredients | Compare the ingredients and salt information. The Voedingscentrum includes unsalted nuts and peanuts in the Dutch Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines; salted nuts are not included. | For breakfast or a snack, I want to know whether the ingredients suit my preferences, without treating unsalted and salted varieties as the same. Around 25% of consumers focus mainly on the ingredients. |
| Transport and storage | Take a resealable pack with you and keep its contents dry. The Voedingscentrum advises storing nuts in a dry, tightly sealed container. | If I’m taking peanuts to the park, I want to be able to seal the pack properly again after opening it. Around 19% of consumers focus mainly on transport and storage. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and choose an amount that suits the number of people eating and how you plan to use it. | If I’m buying peanuts for a picnic, I want to choose an amount that suits my group. Around 12% of consumers prioritise pack size. |
Ingredients and organic certification are two different things. Unsalted peanuts are not automatically organically certified.
Check the organic information on the packaging and assess it separately from the ingredients and the product’s appearance. The European Commission and Skal Biocontrole explain the role of certification and inspection information.
Peanuts are an allergen and must be declared on prepacked products. Organic labelling doesn’t change this.
Read the current allergen information and discuss any relevant allergies before sharing food. The NVWA explains allergen labelling.
The Voedingscentrum advises storing nuts in a dry, tightly sealed container.
Seal the pack after serving and follow the storage instructions on the product label.
Lists separate organic varieties of loose peanuts, both salted and unsalted.
The manufacturer lists a salted peanut variety in several pack sizes.
Lists an own-brand variety of unsalted peanuts.
Lists organic natural peanut butter as an alternative for breakfast.
Lists organic peanut paste as a separate product type.
Has a listing for peanuts within the retailers covered here.
No, the EU organic logo is not required in every situation. According to the European Commission, it is compulsory for prepacked organic food produced in the EU. It is optional for certain imported products that meet EU import rules and for non-prepacked organic products. When the logo is used, it must be accompanied by the inspection body code and an indication of agricultural origin.
These labels describe the agricultural origin of the raw materials. On their own, they do not indicate whether a product is certified organic; that is a separate requirement.
Skal Biocontrole directs people to TRACES for current business certificates, certified activities and product categories. Match the information to the relevant producer and product category; a business certificate is not automatically proof for every product it sells.
The Voedingscentrum warns that whole nuts and peanuts can pose a choking risk. Stay with your child, make sure they sit calmly while eating and consider the food’s texture. This advice does not mean that reaching a particular age automatically makes whole peanuts suitable for every child.
Yes. According to the NVWA, new rules for warnings about accidental allergens in prepacked products have applied since 1 January 2026. Such a precautionary warning depends on a risk assessment and might, for example, say that a product may contain an allergen. This is separate from peanuts being deliberately included as an ingredient.
