Only choose peanuts as an after-school snack if they fit your child’s diet: peanut products are unsuitable for children with a peanut allergy. Albert Heijn labels its individual 300 g and 500 g unsalted varieties as gluten-free and lactose-free, but also states that they contain peanuts and may contain tree nuts. For an everyday snack, an unsalted variety may be suitable, provided the school or after-school club allows peanuts and your child can eat the chosen type safely.
You’re looking for a snack for a child who can eat peanuts but needs to avoid gluten or lactose. Albert Heijn lists these features for two individual unsalted peanut products; also check the allergen information on the exact pack.
You want to know whether peanuts are allowed where your child eats. Peanut products aren’t suitable for children with a peanut allergy; also check the local rules on peanuts and tree nuts.
If there are no relevant allergy restrictions, you can consider the ingredients, form and packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists unsalted nuts as a possible snack for children aged 4 to 12.
First check whether peanuts fit your child’s diet and the rules in place; then look at the exact free-from claim, form, ingredients and packaging.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies and school rules | Check whether peanuts fit your child’s diet and ask about the rules at school or the after-school club. | If my child can’t eat peanuts or the setting doesn’t allow them, this snack is out. Around 31% of consumers prioritise allergies and permission at school. |
| Gluten-free or lactose-free | Look for the claim on the exact pack and also read the allergen information. | I want to see an explicit gluten-free or lactose-free claim for a child who can eat peanuts. Around 25% of consumers prioritise specific free-from information like this. |
| Safe to eat | Check the form and product warning; make sure your child eats slowly and under supervision. | If my child can eat peanuts, I also consider the form and the risk of choking. Around 19% of consumers prioritise safe eating. |
| Unsalted ingredients | Read the ingredients and distinguish unsalted peanuts from salted or seasoned varieties. | I’m looking for an everyday, unsalted snack, with no relevant allergy restrictions. Around 13% of consumers prioritise these ingredients. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the weight, storage instructions and whether the pack is practical for portioning. | If I’m buying peanuts to keep at home for regular snack times, I consider portioning and storage. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this. |
A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t change the fact that the product contains peanuts. The AH products reviewed contain peanuts and state that they may contain tree nuts.
Check exactly which ingredient needs to be avoided and read the information on the pack. If your child has a peanut allergy, don’t choose a peanut product.
Jumbo and PLUS also state that their unsalted peanuts reviewed may contain nuts or cashews.
As well as the ingredients, read the additional allergen warning for the exact product.
Local rules may exclude peanuts or cover both peanuts and tree nuts. The policy at OBS De Venen is an example of the rules at one school, not a nationwide policy.
Ask the school, class or after-school club about its rules before packing the snack.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4 and notes that older children can also choke. The Joybuy listing for Duyvis Salted Peanuts specifically says the product isn’t recommended for children under 5.
Consider the form, have children eat calmly while seated, and follow the warning on the product you choose.
The salted variety reviewed is worth considering if you’re looking for a standard salted peanut snack.
The individual 300 g and 500 g unsalted varieties are worth considering if you’re looking for explicit gluten-free or lactose-free product information.
The 250 g unsalted variety reviewed is an option if you’re looking for a simple, unsalted snack.
The Lidl listing reviewed is for unsalted peanuts.
The ALDI listing reviewed is for 250 g of Trader Joe’s unsalted peanuts.
The 250 g unsalted variety reviewed is worth considering if you’re looking for a simple snack.
These Joybuy products are peanut options for an everyday snack, including unsalted varieties and peanuts in their shells. They contain peanuts, so they aren’t suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
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The product information describes this as an unsalted snack made with 99% peanuts and sunflower oil.
May contain cashews.
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The in-shell variety is a good option if you’re looking for peanuts in their shells; bear in mind that you’ll need to crack them open first.
The product information lists peanuts and says it may contain nuts.
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The product information describes these roasted peanuts as a snack and lists an unsalted variety.
The ingredients information lists 100% peanuts.
Peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts, but that doesn’t prove they’re safe for someone with a nut allergy. The AH products reviewed state that they may contain tree nuts; consider peanuts and each individual tree nut in relation to the relevant diet.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, whereas a cow’s milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins. A lactose-free claim alone therefore doesn’t prove that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4. Older children can also choke: have them eat calmly while seated and supervise them. Also follow any stricter warnings on the packaging.
This kind of warning refers to the possible unintended presence of an allergen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that, from 1 January 2026, Dutch rules apply to substantiated warnings about the possible presence of allergens, including the wording ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. A warning isn’t a general free-from statement.
Yes. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 governs consumer information about the absence or reduced presence of gluten and is listed as in force on EUR-Lex. A gluten-free claim says nothing in itself about whether a product contains peanuts.
