If your father has a peanut allergy, don’t choose peanuts: whether they’re unsalted or roasted makes no difference; according to the Food Allergy Foundation, the allergen remains stable when heated. If he needs to avoid a different ingredient, check the ingredients, dietary information and warning about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging. A brand name or the word ‘unsalted’ doesn’t prove that a product is free from the relevant allergen.
When choosing a gift, you’ll want to know whether it contains the specific allergen or carries a warning about possible cross-contamination. Peanuts aren’t a suitable choice for someone with a peanut allergy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of checking food labels if you have a food allergy; the Food Allergy Foundation explains that the peanut allergen remains stable when heated.
Peanuts themselves may fit this diet, but you’ll want to check the gluten information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the specific product. The Netherlands Coeliac Society offers advice on reading labels, including looking for the Crossed Grain symbol.
You’re looking for peanuts with no added salt for a gift or a snack to share, without confusing that preference with being allergen-free. Duyvis describes its unsalted variety as peanuts without salt.
When choosing a Father’s Day gift to meet a ‘free from’ requirement, start with the ingredient the recipient needs to avoid; peanut products are not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Exclude the right allergen | Check the ingredients and allergen information for peanuts and the specific allergen that needs to be avoided. | If the recipient has a peanut allergy, I won’t choose a peanut product; a different flavour or salt level won’t change that. Around 36% of consumers put avoiding the relevant allergen first. |
| Gluten-free information | Check the information for the specific product and look out for warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If gluten needs to be avoided, I want to be able to check the gluten-free information and warnings on this exact pack. Around 21% of consumers put gluten-free information first. |
| Unsalted doesn’t mean allergen-free | Check that it’s the unsalted variety; assess allergens separately. | If peanuts are suitable for my diet but I don’t want added salt, I look specifically for an unsalted variety. Around 14% of consumers put this ingredient preference first. |
| Up-to-date label information | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging of the product you buy. | When buying a gift for someone else, I want them to be able to check the current product information. Around 29% of consumers put reliable label information first. |
A claim about one ingredient doesn’t mean the product is free from other allergens. Peanuts are an allergen in their own right.
First establish which allergen the recipient needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and warnings for the specific product.
‘Unsalted’ describes the salt level, and roasting doesn’t remove the peanut allergen. The Food Allergy Foundation states that the allergen remains stable when heated.
Assess whether the product is suitable for someone with an allergy separately; consider salt level and preparation only as additional preferences.
Albert Heijn and PLUS say that ingredients and allergy information can change.
Read the packaging of the actual product you’ve bought before giving or serving it.
If the gift isn’t suitable for the recipient’s diet, you may need to replace it.
The product information offers options to compare salted and unsalted peanuts, as well as coated borrelnootjes.
The product information for AH Unsalted Peanuts is a useful comparison for anyone looking for an unsalted variety.
Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is a specific unsalted option to compare.
The listing for Lidl peanuts includes an unsalted variety in a 285 g pack.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s peanuts, 250 g, as roasted and unsalted; Trader Joe’s is the product brand name.
PLUS Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g, is an option to compare if you’re looking for an unsalted variety.
This selection includes peanut products, including unsalted peanuts and peanuts in their shells. As they’re all peanut products, they’re not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
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Suitable if you’re specifically looking for an unsalted peanut snack, but not for anyone with a peanut allergy.
The product description lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil, and says that the product may contain cashew nuts.
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Peanuts in their shells are an option if you want to shell them yourself; they’re not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
The product description lists peanuts as an ingredient and says that the product may contain nuts.
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An option if you’re looking for roasted peanuts; not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
The product description says these are unsalted peanuts and 100% peanuts.
No. The Food Allergy Foundation states that the peanut allergen remains stable when heated. So roasting is no way to get around a peanut allergy.
Keep the snack you’ve chosen away from crumbs containing gluten. The Netherlands Coeliac Society gives the transfer of bread crumbs in the kitchen as an example of cross-contamination.
For prepacked foods, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) lists these as the two permitted ways to warn about cross-contamination. The NVWA says the new rules apply from 1 January 2026.
Check the packaging of the product you’re actually buying. Albert Heijn and PLUS warn that ingredients and allergy information can change; if necessary, ask customer services about the specific pack.
No. Albert Heijn’s warning concerns AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts (tub) with a best-before date of 04-11-2026 and possible metal fragments. Don’t consume that specific pack and follow Albert Heijn’s instructions; the notice doesn’t automatically apply to the entire AH range.
