Who is this relevant to?

Parents bringing treats for a class

First, you’ll want to know whether peanuts are allowed under the party policy and allergy arrangements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also describes schools that celebrate without edible treats.

Children’s party organisers

You’re looking for something to hand out, but the children’s ages and whether they can eat calmly under supervision determine if whole peanuts are suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole peanuts for children under four.

Parents of children who play sport

You want to assess the protein content without automatically treating a party snack as sports nutrition. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, extra food during or after exercise isn’t always necessary.

What should you consider when choosing?

Whole peanuts

Choose these when: the children’s ages, allergy arrangements and venue allow it, and the children can eat calmly under supervision.

Bear in mind: the risk of choking; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole peanuts for children under four.

Ground peanuts or smooth peanut butter

Choose this when: whole peanuts aren’t suitable because of a child’s age or ability to chew, but peanuts themselves are safe for them.

Bear in mind: this is a different preparation; ground peanuts or peanut butter are still unsuitable if the child needs to avoid peanuts.

No peanut treats

Choose this when: a child needs to avoid peanuts, or the venue doesn’t allow peanuts or edible treats.

Bear in mind: any other edible treat must still comply with the specific allergy arrangements.

When choosing a treat, what’s suitable for the group matters more than nutritional value. The percentages below relate to consumers considering peanuts as a treat for children.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most relevant to?
Age, allergies and policy Age and occasion; arrangements for peanuts and tree nuts; the venue’s party policy. I first want to know whether peanuts are suitable for the children and comply with the school’s arrangements. Around 36% of consumers put suitability for the group and its policy first.
Protein per amount Compare protein and energy per 100 g and per the amount actually weighed out; don’t treat a product serving as guidance for children. If I want to understand how much protein a treat provides, I look at the amount being handed out, not just the figure per 100 g. Around 29% of consumers prioritise nutritional value.
Filling and storing bags Check the net weight, storage instructions and best-before date; keep the original ingredients and allergen information to hand. I want to prepare the bags quickly and store their contents as directed on the packaging. Around 21% of consumers prioritise preparation and storage.
Quantity for the group Work out the amount based on the number of children and the quantity chosen for each bag; compare packs on the same weight basis. What matters to me is how the chosen quantity works out for the whole group. Around 14% of consumers focus on the group budget and the amount needed.

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Peanuts and tree nuts are separate allergens, so check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the packaging, and discuss any questions with the responsible adult.

Compare nutritional values on a like-for-like basis. A figure per 100 g isn’t a child’s portion; for example, Jumbo’s stated reference intake is for an average adult. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that an hour of exercise a day doesn’t automatically mean a child needs extra food during or after exercise.

Common pitfalls

  • Confusing a protein figure with suitability for every child

    The protein in a product doesn’t remove the risk of choking or a food allergy.

    First consider age, the occasion and allergy arrangements; only then compare nutritional values. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole peanuts for children under four.

  • Treating a product serving or an adult reference intake as guidance for children

    A serving shown on the packaging isn’t automatically right for your child. Jumbo states that its reference intake is for an average adult.

    Use the nutrition table to calculate the nutritional value of an amount, not to work out a child’s daily requirements.

  • Throwing away the original packaging when portioning the product yourself

    Individual treat bags don’t retain the ingredients and allergen information from the original label.

    Keep the packaging, including the best-before date and allergen information, available for the responsible adults.

    Packing the treats yourself takes extra preparation to make sure this information remains available with the bags being handed out.

  • Applying a recall to an entire brand, or overlooking the specific product named

    Albert Heijn’s warning concerns AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts (tub) with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, not all peanuts from the brand.

    Check the product name and best-before date together. Don’t use the tub in question, and follow Albert Heijn’s instructions for returning it.

Brands to consider

Duyvis

Duyvis Unsalted Peanuts are a packaged option for comparing the nutritional values and ingredients of unsalted peanuts.

  • Duyvis states that they contain 27 g of protein and 614 kcal per 100 g; the ingredients are peanuts and sunflower oil.
  • The product information lists peanuts and possible tree nuts. These figures don’t determine whether whole peanuts are suitable for the age and arrangements of a group.

Albert Heijn

AH Unsalted Peanuts are a supermarket own-brand product with a stated serving size of 25 g.

  • Albert Heijn states that they contain 96% peanuts, sunflower oil and 25 g of protein per 100 g.
  • Check the allergen information on the packaging and bear the choking warning in mind. The stated serving size isn’t age-specific guidance.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g, are an option you can weigh out yourself.

  • Jumbo states that they contain 99.5% peanuts, sunflower oil and 26.4 g of protein per 100 g.
  • The nutrition table uses a 30 g serving and an adult reference intake; don’t use these to work out a suitable amount for a child.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists unsalted peanuts as a product type in its range.

  • The product listing makes it easy to find unsalted peanuts in this category in store.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information on the packaging of the variant you choose.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.

  • The product listing states how the peanuts are prepared and the pack size.
  • Make your choice based on the label and the group’s allergy and age arrangements.

PLUS

PLUS Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g, are an own-brand option you can weigh out yourself.

  • PLUS states that they contain 99% peanuts, sunflower oil, 27 g of protein and 625 kcal per 100 g.
  • The product information states that it may contain cashew nuts and warns of a choking risk for small children.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give a toddler a bag of whole peanuts?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against whole peanuts or nuts for children under four. Ground peanuts or peanut butter are prepared differently, but are still unsuitable if the child needs to avoid peanuts.

Does ‘peanuts’ on the label mean the same as ‘nuts’?

No. The NVWA treats peanuts and nuts as separate allergens. Some peanut products that have been checked list possible tree nuts as well as peanuts, so check both entries on the packaging.

Does a child need a special high-protein treat after an hour of exercise?

Not necessarily. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an hour of exercise a day is part of a normal activity routine, and extra food during or after exercise isn’t always necessary. If a child is hungry, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends vegetables or fruit.

How should I store an opened bag of AH Unsalted Peanuts?

Follow the product instructions: store the bag in a cool, dark, dry place and seal it well after use. Keep the original packaging so you can check the best-before date and allergen information.

What should I do with AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts with a best-before date of 04-11-2026?

Don’t use the tub in question. Albert Heijn’s warning of 20 May 2026 mentions possible metal fragments and applies specifically to AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts (tub) with a best-before date of 04-11-2026. Albert Heijn says you can return this product to a store for a refund; products with other best-before dates aren’t covered by this specific warning.