Conscious organic snack shopper
You’re looking for clear evidence of organic production on the packaging, rather than relying on words such as pure, natural or unroasted.
Who is this buying guide for?
Portion-conscious evening snacker
You want to choose an unsalted snack and decide how much to have, without treating the pack size as a portion.
Snack-and-breakfast planner
You want to use a pack at different times of day and check whether you’re buying a nut mix or a blend that also contains ingredients such as fruit and seeds.
What should you look for when buying?
First, check the organic labelling on the pack. Then see whether the ingredients and quantity suit your snacking occasion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiably organic | Check the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the stated agricultural origin on the exact pack. | If organic production is your top buying requirement, you’ll want to be able to check the labelling on the product itself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise verifiable organic status. |
| Unsalted and portion size | Check the ingredients and nutrition table for the variant you’ve chosen, and decide in advance how much to have. | If you’re looking for an unsalted snack and don’t want to keep eating straight from the pack, it helps to measure out a portion beforehand. Around 27% of consumers focus mainly on ingredients and portion size. |
| Ingredients mix | Check whether the product contains only nuts or also ingredients such as dates, figs and seeds; compare the nutritional information for the complete mix. | If you might also want to use the same pack for breakfast, the exact mix determines what you’re buying. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ingredients and versatility. |
| Packaging and storage | Compare the net weight of the exact variants and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | If you’re thinking about how you’ll use, package and store it, you can choose a quantity that suits your needs. Around 20% of consumers pay most attention to this. |
Common pitfalls
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Mistaking ‘pure’, ‘natural’ or ‘unroasted’ for proof that a product is organic
The term organic is subject to specific rules. A description of the ingredients or processing does not replace the EU organic logo and its accompanying details.
Check the organic labelling on the pack of the variant you’re buying. Skal Biocontrole describes organic as a legally protected designation, and the European Commission explains the requirements for the EU organic logo.
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Treating a fruit, nut and seed mix as a standard nut mix
The ingredients and nutritional value of the complete mix can differ from those of a mix containing only nuts. For example, Albert Heijn describes its Date & Nut Mix as containing ingredients including sunflower seeds, dates, figs, almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Read the ingredients list and compare the nutrition table for the product you’re actually choosing.
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Treating a whole pack as one snack portion
The net weight tells you how much is in the pack, not how much you might want to eat in one sitting. The Voedingscentrum’s nutritional reference for 25 grams of mixed unsalted nuts is 164 kcal; this figure does not automatically apply to every mix.
Decide for yourself how much to have, and follow the storage instructions on the pack for the rest.
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Relying on organic production to check for allergens
Organic labelling does not tell you which allergens a product contains or which allergens it may have come into contact with.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on each exact pack. The NVWA explains how allergens are labelled on prepacked products.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists an unroasted nut mix and a Date & Nut Mix as organic products. It also suggests using the Date & Nut Mix with breakfast cereal.
- The product listings offer a choice between a nut mix and a blend containing fruit and seeds.
- Check the exact pack for organic labelling, ingredients and nutritional information; the two product types are not the same.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 150 g organic unroasted nut mix. For this product listing, Jumbo states that it is packaged in a protective atmosphere.
- The stated pack size of 150 g makes the quantity you’re buying clear.
- The product name and pack size alone don’t tell you which nuts or nutritional values apply to your variant; check the label.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 150 g tub of organic nut mix.
- The product listing makes the pack size clear.
- Check the exact ingredients, nutritional information and organic labelling on the pack.
Nut snacks at Joybuy
This Joybuy selection includes a range of nut snacks, including bars, an unsalted nut mix and peeled chestnuts. Check the exact product information and packaging before choosing; the product name alone does not confirm organic certification.
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Zonnatura Organic Nut Mix Bar, 75 g
A nut bar for anyone looking for a snack in bar form.
The product description lists peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, raisins and agave syrup. It also warns that the product may contain traces of other nuts and sesame seeds.
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g'woon Nut Mix Raw & Unsalted, 200 g
An unsalted nut mix for anyone looking for a blend with no added salt.
The product description lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews. It also warns that the product may contain traces of peanuts.
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J.ZAO S++ Grade Whole Chestnuts, 1 kg (10 bags of 100 g)
Peeled chestnuts that are ready to eat, according to the product name, for anyone looking for a convenient snack.
According to the product description, the pack contains ten 100 g bags, and chestnuts are listed as the only ingredient.
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Zonnatura Organic Nut Bar Cashew Cranberry, 3 bars
A cashew and cranberry bar for anyone looking for a nut snack with fruit.
The product description lists cashews and cranberries and warns that the product may contain traces of sesame seeds.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check on the EU organic logo?
Look for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the agricultural origin on the pack. The European Commission explains that use of the logo requires, among other things, at least 95% organic ingredients and compliance with additional requirements. Skal Biocontrole describes organic as a legally protected designation.
Can I choose organic nuts if I have a nut or peanut allergy?
Check the allergen information on the exact pack; the organic logo doesn’t tell you which allergens the product contains. The NVWA lists nuts and peanuts separately as allergens and explains the labelling requirements for prepacked products. Stichting Voedselallergie explains that peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts.
Is 25 grams a set evening portion?
No. Here, 25 grams is the quantity used in a Voedingscentrum nutritional reference: 164 kcal for mixed unsalted nuts. It is not a set evening portion, and the figure does not automatically apply to other nut mixes or blends.
How should I store an opened pack of mixed unsalted nuts?
Always follow the instructions on the pack first. For opened mixed unsalted nuts, the Voedingscentrum’s storage guide recommends six months in a kitchen cupboard or one year in the freezer. Rancidity, a chewy texture and mould are listed as signs of quality loss. Don’t automatically apply this advice to mixes containing fruit or other ingredients.
Are you more likely to gain weight if you eat nuts after 8 pm?
The Voedingscentrum reports that there are too few controlled studies to determine whether eating in the evening, by itself, leads to more weight gain than eating during the day. So consider the quantity and ingredients separately from the time you eat.