Who is this choice relevant to?

Avoiding peanuts with drinks

If you have a peanut allergy, you’ll need to choose an alternative snack and check the ingredient information and details of possible cross-contamination. The Food Allergy Foundation warns that even a tiny amount can cause a serious reaction in some people.

Avoiding gluten or lactose

If you can eat peanuts but need to avoid gluten or lactose, check the information and ingredients for the exact variant. Plain peanuts and coated bar snacks can contain different ingredients.

Enjoying a terrace visit with dietary requirements

If you’re ordering a snack to share with others, you’ll want to know which product is being served and how the venue handles allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) stresses that consumers must be able to access allergen information before buying.

What should you look out for when choosing?

First, decide which substance you need to avoid, then check the exact variant. If you’re ordering snacks on a terrace, ask which product is actually being served.

What to consider What to look for Who this matters most to
Avoiding peanuts and relevant nuts Check the ingredients and warnings for your allergen; a snack that doesn’t list peanuts as an ingredient is not automatically free from cross-contamination. If you need to avoid peanuts or certain nuts, assess any alternative snack carefully; around 31% of consumers prioritise avoiding peanuts and nuts.
Gluten and coatings Look for information about the exact variant and check whether the coating adds any ingredients. If you avoid gluten but can eat peanuts, you’ll also want to know what’s in coated bar snacks; around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten.
Milk allergy or limiting lactose Distinguish between milk proteins and lactose; check the ingredients and relevant warnings alongside the dietary information. If milk or lactose is your main concern, you’ll want the information that applies to your specific restriction; around 19% of consumers prioritise this assessment.
The product being served Ask which product and variant will be served and how the venue handles allergens. If you’re sharing food on a terrace, you’ll want to know what’s actually being served and what allergen information is available; around 25% of consumers prioritise confidence in the service.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘free from’ means free from all allergens

    A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean a product is free from peanuts or other nuts. AH Unsalted Peanuts are sold as gluten-free, but contain peanuts and carry a warning about several tree nuts.

    Check which specific substance you need to avoid, then read the ingredients and warnings for the exact variant.

  • Treating plain peanuts and coated bar snacks as the same dietary choice

    According to the manufacturer, Duyvis Cocktail Peanuts contain ingredients including wheat and lactose from milk. These ingredients are not part of the recipe for plain peanuts.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information again for every flavour and coating.

  • Assuming lactose-free or vegan means suitable for a milk allergy

    Lactose intolerance and milk allergy involve different substances. The Dutch Vegetarian Association also points out that a vegan certification is not an allergen declaration.

    If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and relevant warnings. Use a lactose-free claim only to assess lactose content.

  • Judging a product recall by brand name alone

    Albert Heijn’s safety warning of 20 May 2026 concerns AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, due to the possible presence of metal fragments. It applies to a specific variant and batch.

    Compare the product name, packaging and best-before date with the warning. If it is exactly the batch named, do not consume the product.

Brands and product ranges for reference

Duyvis

Duyvis product information shows that plain peanuts and coated Borrelnootjes can contain different ingredients.

  • Duyvis Unsalted lists peanuts and sunflower oil as ingredients.
  • The packaging warns that various types of nuts may be present. According to the manufacturer, Cocktail Peanuts contain ingredients including wheat and lactose from milk.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn publishes dietary information and ingredients for products including unsalted peanuts and plain crisps.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Unsalted Peanuts as gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan; the ingredients list states 96% peanuts and sunflower oil.
  • The peanuts contain peanuts and carry a warning about several tree nuts. The ingredients list for AH Plain Crisps does not mention peanuts, but that is not a guarantee that they are peanut-free.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g has published ingredient and allergen information.

  • The product page lists 99.5% peanuts and sunflower oil.
  • The allergen information lists peanuts and states that the product may contain nuts. Unsalted does not mean allergen-free.

PLUS

PLUS Unsalted Peanuts 250 grams has product information about its recipe and a specific nut warning.

  • The product page lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil and states that it is vegan.
  • Cashew nuts may be present. The vegan claim does not make the product suitable for someone with a peanut allergy.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists 200 g of roasted, unsalted peanuts.

  • The product page describes it as a snack and says it is available in store.
  • The description ‘unsalted’ does not mean the product is free from allergens.

ALDI

The Dutch ALDI page lists TRADER JOE’S Roasted Unsalted Peanuts 250 g.

  • The product information confirms that this variant is roasted and unsalted.
  • These details alone say nothing about gluten, milk or possible cross-contamination.

Joybuy products for this snack choice

This selection includes alternative snacks that don’t list peanuts as an ingredient, as well as products containing peanuts for those who can eat them. Ingredients lists and warnings vary by product, so check the packaging against your dietary needs.

Bio+ Organic Corn Crackers Sea Salt, 18 pieces

Bio+ Organic Corn Crackers Sea Salt, 18 pieces

An alternative snack if you’re looking for something other than peanuts; the product description lists maize and sea salt as ingredients.

The description says it may contain soya. Check the full packaging and allergen information for your circumstances.

View at Joybuy
g’woon unsalted peanuts 250 g

g’woon unsalted peanuts 250 g

A good fit for drinks with friends if you can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted option.

The product description lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil; cashew nuts may be present. This product contains peanuts.

View at Joybuy
g’woon peanuts in shell 500 g

g’woon peanuts in shell 500 g

A peanut snack for those who can eat peanuts and like to shell them themselves.

This product contains peanuts; remove the shells before eating.

View at Joybuy
Sodiro Cassava Crisps 100 g

Sodiro Cassava Crisps 100 g

An alternative snack if you’re looking for something other than peanuts.

The product description lists cassava, soya oil, salt and garlic as ingredients and says it may contain traces of peanuts.

View at Joybuy
Holie’s Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate Granola, 6 × 330 g

Holie’s Granola Glutenfree Peanut Chocolate, 6 × 330 g

The product name states glutenfree; only consider this option if you can eat peanuts.

The description lists peanuts as an ingredient and says it may contain traces of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans and soya. Check the packaging for full details.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are any peanuts suitable for someone with a peanut allergy?

No. Peanuts are an allergen in their own right. If you have a peanut allergy, choose a different type of snack and check its ingredients and relevant information about possible cross-contamination. Gluten-free or unsalted peanuts won’t avoid the problem.

Does a terrace venue have to provide information about allergens in a bowl of snacks?

Yes. The NVWA says allergen information must be available before purchase. For unpackaged products, this information can be provided in writing or verbally. If it’s given verbally, there must be a visible notice saying you can ask for it.

What do warnings such as ‘May contain peanuts’ mean?

This type of warning refers to the possible unintended presence of peanuts, and is separate from peanuts listed as an ingredient. According to the NVWA, rules on substantiating warnings on prepacked products have applied in the Netherlands since 1 January 2026.

Is lactose-free the same as suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

No. Lactose intolerance and milk allergy involve different substances. If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and relevant warnings; a lactose-free or vegan claim is not, by itself, an allergen declaration.

What can I do if the answers at the terrace venue aren’t clear?

Ask which product is being served and how the venue handles your allergy. The Food Allergy Foundation advises choosing somewhere else to eat if the answers don’t add up or you don’t feel comfortable with the conversation.