Who is this choice relevant to?

Organic first

For your picnic, you’re looking for a product that is specifically labelled organic. A nut mix without a coating could be a good fit if organic sourcing matters more to you than the traditional coating.

Fans of a crunchy coating

You’re looking for peanuts with a crunchy, seasoned coating. Bear in mind that organic sourcing and product type are two separate things to consider: an unroasted nut mix doesn’t have the same coating.

Label-conscious sharers

You want to check the ingredients, allergens and quantity in advance for the people you’re sharing your snack with. An organic label doesn’t replace these checks, so use the information on the packaging of the product you’re taking with you.

What should you look for when choosing?

Organic nut mix without a coating

Choose this option if: organic sourcing matters more to you than the typical coating on party nuts. The AH and PLUS products described are nut mixes, not coated party nuts.

Bear in mind: the ingredients vary from one mix to another, so check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Coated party nuts

Choose this option if: you’re mainly looking for peanuts with a crunchy, seasoned coating. Duyvis and Jumbo’s product descriptions show examples of this type of product.

Bear in mind: check organic certification separately, and also look out for ingredients other than peanuts, such as wheat or soya, if they’re listed on the packaging.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important to?
Organic label Check the label on the specific product. If it carries the EU organic logo, also look at the control code and the indication of agricultural origin. The European Commission describes the logo as identifying products certified as organic by an authorised control authority or control body. I want to be sure that this particular product is organic for the picnic, rather than relying on a general brand or sustainability claim. Around 20% of consumers put organic assurance first.
Coating or plain nuts Check whether it’s coated peanuts or an unroasted nut mix, and look at the seasonings and ingredients. If I’m looking for a crunchy, seasoned coating, I don’t want to come home with an ordinary nut mix. Around 20% of consumers say coating and seasoning are their main considerations.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually sharing. One Jumbo variant examined lists peanuts, wheat and soya, among other ingredients; check the current packaging. I want to check in advance that everyone at the picnic can eat this product, without assuming that all nut products contain the same ingredients. For around 20% of consumers, checking for allergens comes first.
Nutritional composition Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. Distinguish between added sugars or salt and the total amounts. AH states that its unroasted organic mix contains 0 g added salt and 0 g added sugars per 100 g. I want to choose nuts that fit my own diet, so I look at the ingredients and nutritional information, not just the organic label. Around 20% of consumers give nutritional composition top priority.
Quantity and storage Choose a net weight that suits how much you want to share, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. The PLUS mix described weighs 150 g and the AH mix 350 g. Voedingscentrum’s general advice for opened party nuts is to keep them in a kitchen cupboard for 2–5 days; this isn’t a storage period for all nut mixes. I want to take enough for everyone and plan ahead for storing any leftovers. Around 20% of consumers put quantity and leftovers first.

Common buying mistakes

  • Mistaking a sustainability logo for organic certification

    A different sustainability label doesn’t automatically mean a product is organic. The European Commission says the EU organic logo is for products that have been certified as organic.

    Check the organic label on the exact product and, if it carries the EU organic logo, look at the control code and agricultural origin.

  • Buying an organic nut mix when you’re expecting a crunchy coating

    AH Biologisch Notenmix ongebrand is a mix of unroasted nuts; Duyvis describes party nuts as peanuts with a coating. They’re different types of product.

    Before buying, decide whether organic sourcing or a coated snack is more important to you, and check the product description.

  • Checking only for peanuts when looking for allergens

    A coating can contain other ingredients too. For example, the Jumbo Oriëntaals Borrel Noten product examined also lists wheat and soya.

    Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re taking with you.

  • Choosing a large pack without a plan for leftovers

    The quantity on the packaging doesn’t tell you how much your group will need. Voedingscentrum’s general storage advice for opened party nuts doesn’t automatically apply to other nut products.

    Compare the net weight with how much you want to share, and follow the storage instructions for the specific product when storing leftovers.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Biologisch Notenmix ongebrand product described is an organic nut mix without a party-nut coating.

  • The product information lists the EU organic logo, control code NL-BIO-01, organic ingredients and a net weight of 350 g.
  • This information applies to this variant; it isn’t a coated party nut.

PLUS

The Biologisch PLUS Notenmix biologisch product described is an organic nut mix in a 150 g tub.

  • The product information lists EU Organic Farming and organic nut ingredients.
  • The mix is a different type of product from coated party nuts; check the ingredients and allergens on the specific packaging.

Duyvis

Duyvis describes Borrelnootjes as peanuts with a coating, making them a useful example of the coated product option.

  • The product description distinguishes peanuts with a coating from other preparation methods, among other things.
  • The product description alone doesn’t demonstrate organic certification.

Jumbo

The Jumbo products described offer examples of party nuts in different flavours and pack sizes.

  • Jumbo’s product information for Jumbo Oriëntaals Borrel Noten lists peanuts, wheat and soya among the ingredients.
  • Check the ingredients and organic label for each product; information about one variant doesn’t apply to the entire range.

Lidl

Lidl presents Alesto as a range that includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.

  • The range page helps you identify different types of snack in the product line.
  • A broad range of nuts and snacks doesn’t prove that an individual party-nut product is organically certified.

ALDI

ALDI’s Dutch range information covers nuts, seeds and kernels, as well as a separate organic range.

  • The categories offer a useful overview of different types of nut products.
  • The existence of an organic range doesn’t confirm that a specific party-nut product is organic.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check on an organic label?

Check the organic label on the specific product. The European Commission says the EU organic logo is for products certified as organic by an authorised control authority or control body. Also check the control code and agricultural origin on the packaging.

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

The organic label alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific packaging. AH Biologisch Notenmix ongebrand contains several types of nuts and warns that it may contain peanuts and other nuts.

How should I store the Biologisch PLUS nut mix?

PLUS advises storing this nut mix in a cool, dry, dark place. Choose somewhere that meets those requirements and, once opened, follow the instructions on the packaging you have.

How long can I keep an opened bag of party nuts?

Voedingscentrum’s general advice for opened party nuts is to keep them in a kitchen cupboard for 2–5 days; freezing is less suitable. This advice applies to party nuts, so don’t assume it also applies to other nut mixes, and follow the label too.

Can I give whole nuts to young children without any special precautions?

No. Don’t assume that whole nuts are a suitable snack for children. The AH Biologisch Notenmix ongebrand product page warns that young children can choke on nuts.