Who is this buying guide for?

TV snackers who look for certification

You want to check whether the whole snack is certified organic. The European Commission sets out when the EU organic logo may be used; natural ingredients are no substitute for that certification.

Fans of a crunchy coating

You’re looking for coated peanuts and don’t want to confuse them with uncoated organic peanuts. Duyvis and Jumbo product descriptions mention a crunchy jacket or coating.

Label-conscious snackers

You want to compare the ingredients, salt content and allergens for the exact variant. Check organic certification and the product’s ingredients separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether the organic claim applies to the whole snack, then decide whether you want a crunchy coating. Next, compare the ingredients, salt information, allergens and pack size of the variant you’ve chosen.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Organic certification Check the claims for the whole product. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is mandatory on pre-packed organic food produced in the EU; it is optional for imported organic products. The control code does not have to be NL-BIO-01. I want to be sure the whole snack is organic, not just that the ingredients sound natural. Around 31% of consumers in this group prioritise verifiable organic certification.
Product type and coating Check whether the product is coated peanuts or uncoated peanuts. A crunchy coating does not automatically make a product organic. If I’m specifically looking for a crunchy coating, I don’t want uncoated peanuts presented as the same product. Around 25% of consumers give the coating and flavour variant top priority.
Salt and ingredients Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the same basis, for example per 100 g. Consider this information separately from the organic certification. I want to know what’s in my snack besides peanuts and which salt information applies to the variant. Around 19% of consumers prioritise ingredients and salt content.
Allergens Check the ingredients and warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. The NVWA states that pre-packed products must display allergen information on the label. If a food allergy is relevant to me, I want to check the information for this exact variant. Around 13% of consumers name allergen suitability as their main buying priority.
Pack size Compare similar types of product and check the net weight. The Lidl coated peanuts pack reviewed lists 250 g; Jumbo Cocktail and PLUS Mild list 300 g on their product pages. I want to choose an amount that suits my TV night without having too much left over. Around 12% of consumers prioritise pack size and total cost.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming natural-looking packaging means a product is certified organic

    This could mean the product doesn’t meet your expectations if you want to buy certified organic food. The European Commission explains when a product may be described as organic.

    Check the organic claims for the whole product. A reference to natural ingredients or the absence of additives isn’t enough.

  • Treating uncoated organic peanuts as coated peanuts

    They’re different types of product: coated peanuts have a crunchy layer, while the AH Organic Peanuts reviewed are uncoated.

    Decide in advance whether you want that crunchy coating. Choose uncoated peanuts only if they’re a suitable alternative for you.

  • Confusing organic or vegetarian with allergen-free

    The ingredients in PLUS Mild Coated Peanuts include peanuts, wheat, celery and milk. The ingredients in one variant don’t automatically tell you what’s in another flavour.

    If you have a relevant allergy, check both the current ingredients list and the warnings about possible traces on the packaging.

  • Not comparing pack sizes

    The variants mentioned come in different pack sizes, so pack size alone doesn’t make for a meaningful comparison.

    Compare the net weight of similar products and choose a pack that suits the amount you need.

    A pack that’s larger than you need could leave you with leftovers.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

The manufacturer describes its Borrelnootjes as peanuts with a crunchy coating, including the Cocktail, Provencale and Oriental variants.

  • The range is worth considering if you’re looking for coated peanuts.
  • The description of the coating isn’t proof of organic certification; check the exact packaging.

Albert Heijn

AH Organic Peanuts are uncoated, so they’re a different type of product from coated peanuts.

  • The product pages for the salted and unsalted versions include organic claims and list a pack size of 200 g.
  • The pages state ‘Discontinued’; these specific variants are no longer available to buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail is a coated variant; the product page describes a crunchy batter coating.

  • The product page lists 49.4% peanuts and a pack size of 300 g.
  • The ingredients list includes wheat-containing starch. These product specifications don’t prove organic certification.

PLUS

PLUS Borrelnoten Mild is a variant with a mild flavour.

  • The product page lists 51% peanuts and a pack size of 300 g.
  • The ingredients include wheat, celery and milk, among other things. ‘Vegetarian’ doesn’t automatically mean vegan or allergen-free.

Lidl

Lidl describes coated peanuts in several variants, with a listed pack size of 250 g.

  • The product page says the product is available in store only.
  • That doesn’t confirm stock at a specific branch; check the product information for the variant.

ALDI

The range includes several types of snack, including Provencal Coated Peanuts and mixed nuts.

  • The range description helps you distinguish coated peanuts from other nut snacks.
  • Check the organic claim on the packaging of the specific product.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘natural’ mean the same as organic?

No. Organic is a regulated claim. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency states that you can’t use ‘organic’ to describe a non-organic product. So check the certification information for the whole snack.

Does every organic snack need an EU organic logo and NL-BIO-01?

No. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is mandatory on pre-packed organic food produced in the EU, but optional for imported organic products. The logo used must be accompanied by a control code, but it doesn’t have to be NL-BIO-01.

Are organic peanuts the same as organic coated peanuts?

No. The AH Organic Peanuts reviewed are uncoated, while coated peanuts have a crunchy layer. The AH product pages for the salted and unsalted peanuts also state ‘Discontinued’, so they’re no longer available to buy.

Can organic peanuts contain sunflower oil?

Yes. AH Organic Unsalted Peanuts list organic sunflower oil as well as peanuts. So organic doesn’t automatically mean unprocessed or that a product contains just one ingredient.

Are organic peanuts suitable for someone with a peanut or tree nut allergy?

Organic certification doesn’t mean a product is allergen-free. The AH Organic Peanuts reviewed contain peanuts and state that they may contain traces of various nuts. If you have a relevant allergy, check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variant.