Who is this guide for?

Snack shoppers who need to avoid peanuts

The peanut centre is the key consideration here. The 1-kilo Duyvis packs reviewed list peanuts; the product declarations are from Sligro and Van Dijk Groothandel.

Party guests who eat gluten-free

Check the gluten-free label and information about possible cross-contamination on the product. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends checking labels and also highlights the risk of crumbs being transferred when serving.

Snack shoppers who avoid milk or lactose

The relevant information depends on what someone needs to avoid. The 1-kilo Duyvis Cocktail and Provencale packs reviewed have different declarations for milk and lactose.

What should you look for when buying?

First establish which ingredient needs to be avoided, then check the packaging and plan how to serve the snacks separately. The percentages show how priorities for this King’s Day choice may differ.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Peanuts and other allergens Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack for peanuts and other relevant allergens. If I need to avoid peanuts, I won’t just choose a different flavour of a peanut-based snack. Around 31% of consumers prioritise avoiding peanuts or other allergens.
Gluten and crumbs Read the gluten-free label and warnings; when serving, prevent contact with crumbs containing gluten. If I avoid gluten, I want to assess both the product and how it is served. Around 25% of consumers say avoiding gluten is their main consideration.
Milk or lactose Establish whether milk or lactose needs to be avoided, then read the ingredients and warnings. With a milk allergy, I look for different information than I would with lactose intolerance; lactose-free does not prove that milk proteins are absent. Around 25% of consumers focus mainly on milk or lactose.
Serving separately and portion size Plan separate portions and keep the packaging with the ingredients information alongside the snacks. If I’m shopping for guests with different dietary needs, I want to prevent cross-contact and keep portions clearly organised. Around 19% of consumers give the most attention to serving food in an organised way.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming ‘free from’ means suitable for every allergy

    A product that avoids one ingredient does not automatically exclude other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergen information is shown on labels.

    First note what the guest needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and warnings on that exact pack.

  • Using the flavour name to work out whether a product contains milk

    The product declarations for the 1-kilo Duyvis Cocktail and Provencale packs differ: the Cocktail pack lists lactose from milk, while Provencale carries a warning that it may contain milk. This information applies to those specific packs.

    Read the ingredients and warnings for each flavour and pack size separately.

  • Mixing a suitable snack with other snacks without thinking

    Crumbs from another snack could end up in the portion. The Dutch Coeliac Association describes this as one way a gluten-free product could come into contact with gluten.

    Serve snacks separately when needed, and use clean bowls and serving utensils.

    A portion kept separate could still become unsuitable if crumbs containing gluten get into it.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

Worth considering for party nuts with a peanut centre, available in different flavours and pack sizes.

  • The official Cocktail page lists packs of 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g.
  • Allergen information varies by product and pack. The declarations reviewed for the 1-kilo Cocktail and Provencale packs do not apply to every variant.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand party nuts are worth considering if you want to check product information for each pack.

  • The product page reviewed lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail.
  • Albert Heijn advises customers on that page to read the packaging before eating the product; a product name is not a lasting guarantee of suitability for a particular diet.

Jumbo

The product information for Jumbo Borrelnoten Cocktail describes a party nut with a peanut centre and a crispy coating.

  • The product page reviewed lists a 300 g pack and storage advice.
  • This product is not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid peanuts.

Lidl

For the purposes of this guide, Lidl is a retailer that stocks Duyvis Borrelnootjes.

  • The Lidl product page reviewed is for Duyvis Borrelnootjes.
  • Where you buy the product does not change the allergen information on its packaging.

ALDI

The product page reviewed shows TRADER JOE'S Borrelnoten in Bacon-kaas, Poesta and Paprika varieties.

  • The listed flavours help you tell products apart by name.
  • A flavour name is no substitute for checking the ingredients and allergen information.

PLUS

The product page reviewed lists PLUS Borrelnoten Mild in a 300 g pack.

  • The product page states that this variant is vegetarian.
  • Vegetarian does not mean a product is free from peanuts, gluten or milk.

Joybuy products

These Joybuy picks are snack alternatives to classic party nuts. They are not automatically suitable for anyone with an allergy or intolerance, so check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.

Bestore Konjac Snack, Spicy Flavor, 105 g

Bestore Konjac Snack, Spicy Flavor, 105 g

A spicy snack alternative if you’re looking for something other than a classic party nut with a peanut centre.

The product name specifies konjac and a spicy flavour; this is not a party nut.

Joybuy
Gusto Raspberry Corn Puffs, Fruity Sweet, 80 g

Gusto Raspberry Corn Puffs, Fruity Sweet, 80 g

A sweet snack alternative if you’d like to serve something other than a savoury party nut.

The product name describes corn puffs with raspberry flavour; their taste and shape differ from classic party nuts. Check the packaging for ingredients that are relevant to your guests.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no artificial colours’ also mean a snack is free from allergens?

No. A claim about colours does not tell you whether a product contains allergens. The official Duyvis page says ‘no artificial colours’; the separate 1-kilo Cocktail pack reviewed lists peanuts, wheat, milk and lactose. So always check the allergen information on the exact pack.

Are lactose intolerance and milk allergy the same thing to consider when buying?

No. A milk allergy involves a reaction to proteins, while lactose intolerance is about difficulty digesting lactose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the difference. Check the packaging against the restriction that actually applies; lactose-free does not prove that milk proteins are absent.

Can I put gluten-free and gluten-containing snacks in the same bowl?

Don’t do this if you want to prevent gluten being transferred. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that crumbs can contaminate a gluten-free product. Serving snacks separately and using clean serving utensils are practical precautions for your party table.

What allergen information should I check on a Dutch label?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that mandatory labelling covers 14 allergens, which are listed in the ingredients. Check the information on the pack of the product you’re actually serving.

What should I do if the online product information differs from the packaging?

If in doubt, use the information on the packaging and contact the retailer if you have any questions. On the own-brand page reviewed, Albert Heijn advises customers to read the packaging before eating the product. If an allergy is relevant, don’t base your choice solely on a product name you saw earlier.