Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents packing lunch for a toddler

If you’re considering a peanut product for nursery, start by checking its form. GroeiGids advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4.

Parents with allergy-related arrangements

If a peanut allergy or an arrangement with the nursery affects your choice, check the allergen information for the exact product and confirm what has been agreed for your child and the group.

Lunch planners who want to portion food in advance

Multipacks make it clear how much is in the packaging, but they don’t tell you what’s suitable for a child’s lunch. Discuss the form and amount separately with the nursery.

What should you look for when buying?

Whole peanuts in a portion pack

When it’s suitable: Not for the lunch of children under 4; GroeiGids advises against giving these children whole peanuts.

The trade-off: Individual packs divide up the contents, but they don’t change the shape of the peanuts.

Smooth peanut butter as a sandwich filling

When it’s suitable: If your child can eat peanuts, the form is right for them and the nursery allows it, you could consider smooth peanut butter as a sandwich filling.

The trade-off: It needs some preparation and isn’t a snack on its own; peanut butter still contains the peanut allergen.

A peanut-free lunch

When it’s suitable: Choose this option if you’ve agreed that peanuts should be avoided for your child or the group.

The trade-off: Discuss an alternative with the nursery; another nut butter isn’t automatically suitable.

What to consider What to look for Who is this important for?
Food form and choking risk Check whether the product contains whole peanuts, pieces or smooth peanut butter. GroeiGids advises against giving whole peanuts to children under 4. If I’m preparing lunch for a child under 4, I look first for a form that’s right for their age, not the pack size. Around 36% of consumers put this choice first.
Peanuts and nursery arrangements Read the allergen information and ask what arrangements apply to peanuts and any other nuts. If my child needs to avoid peanuts, I want to know exactly what’s in the product and what the nursery allows. Around 29% of consumers say they want to be able to follow this arrangement as a first priority.
Ingredients Read the ingredients list for the exact variant. ‘Plain’, ‘100%’ and ‘crunchy’ don’t mean the same thing. If I’m choosing a peanut product for regular lunches, I want to be able to compare the ingredients. Around 21% of consumers put the ingredients first.
Packaging and portioning Check the net weight and number of packs separately; FOOX describes a multipack of 20 x 60-gram bags. This is not portioning advice for toddlers. If I want to prepare lunches in advance, it’s useful to know what’s in the pack, but I’ll discuss the amount for my child separately. Around 14% of consumers say this preparation is their main consideration.

Pitfalls when choosing peanut products for lunch

  • Assuming a portion pack is a suitable snack for a toddler

    A small pack doesn’t change the shape of whole peanuts. GroeiGids advises against giving whole peanuts to children under 4.

    Check the form first. Don’t assume the packaging proves that the contents are suitable for a young child’s lunch.

  • Confusing ‘unsalted’ or ‘100%’ with allergen-free

    Peanuts remain an allergen, even if no salt or sugar has been added. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority treats peanuts and tree nuts as separate allergen categories.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information, and follow the specific arrangement with the nursery.

  • Assuming the pack contents are a child-sized portion

    FOOX describes a Duyvis multipack containing 20 individual 60-gram bags. This packaging information doesn’t recommend a suitable amount for a toddler.

    Check the number of bags and the net weight, but discuss lunch and the actual amount separately with the nursery.

  • Misreading the scope of a product recall notice

    Albert Heijn’s notice of 20 May 2026 applies to AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026. It doesn’t apply to the entire peanut butter range or all AH peanuts.

    Compare the full product name and best-before date with the notice. Don’t eat the product in question, and follow Albert Heijn’s instructions.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The AH range includes AH Terra Plant-Based 100% Plain Peanut Butter, which has a different form from loose peanuts.

  • The product name and packaging can help you identify the variant.
  • Check the exact ingredients on the pack. A separate recall notice applies to AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s peanut butter range includes plain and crunchy varieties, as well as a peanut, almond and cashew variety.

  • You can tell the varieties and jar sizes apart using the product information.
  • The food form and allergens vary by product; check the label of the one you’re considering.

Lidl

Lidl describes Maribel 100% Peanut Butter in varieties with and without nut pieces.

  • The retailer makes the difference between the varieties clear.
  • Check the exact product information; the variety name doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergens.

Duyvis

Duyvis lists salted peanuts in several pack sizes. FOOX also describes a multipack.

  • The manufacturer lists a 60-gram pack, among other options; FOOX describes 20 individual 60-gram bags.
  • The peanuts described are whole and salted. The multipack doesn’t make them suitable for the lunch of children under 4.

PLUS

PLUS lists a 250-gram bag of unsalted peanuts.

  • The product page identifies the unsalted variety and the pack size.
  • Unsalted whole peanuts are still whole peanuts; check the current packaging and consider what’s appropriate for your child’s age.

ALDI

ALDI lists salted Trader Joe’s peanuts in a 250-gram pack.

  • The product page names the brand and pack size.
  • A bag of whole peanuts isn’t a toddler-sized portion and isn’t suitable for the lunch of children under 4.

Peanut products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pack a small bag of whole peanuts if my toddler can chew well?

No. GroeiGids advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4. A small bag doesn’t change that advice.

Could peanut butter be an alternative to loose peanuts?

If your child can eat peanuts and the nursery allows them, you could consider smooth peanut butter as a sandwich filling, taking your child’s age and eating skills into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that 100% peanut butter with no added salt or sugar is included in the Wheel of Five; check the ingredients for the exact variety.

Are peanuts and tree nuts the same on an allergen label?

No. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists peanuts and tree nuts separately. Check both if your arrangement with the nursery covers them, and ask exactly which ingredients need to be avoided.

Does the advice to introduce peanuts early mean a baby can eat whole peanuts?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes introducing peanuts in the form of peanut butter, not whole peanuts. If your baby has severe eczema or a food allergy, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises speaking to their doctor or dietitian first.

What should I do with the recalled AH peanut product?

Albert Heijn’s notice of 20 May 2026 applies to AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026. Don’t eat the product in question, and follow Albert Heijn’s instructions for returning it and receiving a refund. The notice doesn’t apply to all AH peanuts or peanut butter varieties.