Who is this relevant to?

Hikers avoiding allergens

Before setting off, you want to check whether the snack contains an allergen you need to avoid, or carries a warning about it. If you need to avoid peanuts, peanuts aren’t a suitable snack choice.

Hikers following a gluten-free diet

You can eat peanuts, but want to check for specific gluten-free labelling without confusing it with information about other allergens. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol when reading labels.

Hikers looking for an unsalted snack

You can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted option to take with you. Consider this preference separately from whether the product is suitable for your diet; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guide.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the allergen you need to avoid: peanuts aren’t an option if you need to avoid them, while gluten-free and unsalted are separate considerations. The NVWA explains how allergen information is shown on prepacked products; unsalted or gluten-free labelling doesn’t replace this check.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Allergens Read the ingredients list and warnings on the current packaging. Avoid peanuts if you need to avoid them. If I need to avoid an allergen, I want to know whether it’s in the snack or mentioned in a warning on the label. Around 36% of consumers put checking allergens first when shopping.
Gluten-free labelling Check for gluten-free labelling specific to the product, and assess other allergens separately. If I need to avoid gluten but can eat peanuts, I want to see specific gluten-free labelling. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this confirmation.
Unsalted option Check that the exact product is unsalted; don’t treat this as a free-from claim. If I can eat peanuts and simply want an unsalted snack, I check the exact product. Around 21% of consumers put this preference first.
Taking it with you and checking the label Choose a size you want to take with you. If you transfer the snack to another container, keep the original packaging or a clear photo of the label. When I prepare a snack for a walk, I want to be able to check the product and allergen information. Around 14% of consumers prioritise preparation and keeping this information to hand.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘free from’ applies to all allergens

    Gluten-free labelling relates to gluten; it doesn’t mean a product is free from peanuts or other allergens.

    First, be clear about which ingredient or allergen you need to avoid. Don’t use a peanut product if you need to avoid peanuts, and check for other relevant allergens separately.

  • Assuming information about one product applies to the whole brand

    Preparation methods and allergen information can vary between products. For example, PLUS warns that its specific Extra Large salted variety may contain other nuts.

    Check the exact product name and variety, and read the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.

  • Assuming a recall warning applies to all peanuts

    Albert Heijn’s warning concerns AH Extra Large salted peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, due to possible metal fragments. It doesn’t apply to all Albert Heijn peanuts.

    Check that the brand, variety, packaging and best-before date match. Do not eat the product named in this warning.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Duyvis

Duyvis offers a separate unsalted peanut variety, alongside other preparation methods and varieties with a coating.

  • Duyvis describes its unsalted variety as peanuts without salt.
  • The manufacturer refers customers to the packaging and its own product checker for allergen information; this isn’t a general free-from claim for the brand.

Albert Heijn

The AH own-brand range includes an unsalted peanut variety.

  • Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging, as product, dietary and allergen information can change.
  • Check the variety you’re buying; a product warning for one version doesn’t automatically apply to the whole range.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists an unsalted peanut variety in a 250 g pack.

  • The product name and pack weight are shown on the product page.
  • This information alone doesn’t confirm a specific free-from claim; check the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl lists unsalted peanuts in a 285 g pack.

  • The product page specifies that these are unsalted and gives the pack weight.
  • The ‘in-store only’ label doesn’t confirm that the product is in stock at your local branch; check the current allergen information too.

Aldi

ALDI lists 250 g of Trader Joe’s peanuts as roasted and unsalted; Trader Joe’s is the product brand.

  • The product description confirms the product name and preparation method.
  • Roasted and unsalted are not separate statements about allergens.

PLUS

PLUS lists unsalted peanuts in a 250 g bag, as well as a 275 g Extra Large salted variety.

  • The product information distinguishes between the unsalted and salted varieties.
  • The warning that the product may contain other nuts applies to the specific Extra Large salted variety; check the packaging of the variety you choose.

Joybuy products

These product options are unsalted peanuts and are only relevant if you can eat peanuts. Always check the information on the current packaging to make sure they suit your diet.

g'woon unsalted peanuts, 250 g

g'woon unsalted peanuts, 250 g

Only suitable if you can eat peanuts; the product information states that it may contain cashew nuts. Check the current packaging for ingredients and warnings.

Joybuy
Verse Extra Large roasted peanuts, 210 g

Verse Extra Large roasted peanuts, 210 g

For people who can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted option. The product name specifies roasted peanuts and a 210 g pack; check the packaging for information relevant to your diet.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are unsalted peanuts automatically allergen-free?

No. Unsalted tells you about salt, not whether the product contains peanuts or other allergens. Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact variety.

What allergen information should I check on a prepacked product?

According to the NVWA, allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label. Check the ingredients and any warnings for the allergens you need to avoid; peanuts and tree nuts are separate categories.

What labelling should I look for if I want to choose a gluten-free product?

When reading labels, the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for the Crossed Grain symbol and then checking for gluten-free labelling. European rules distinguish ‘gluten-free’ from ‘very low gluten’; neither is a general statement that a product is free from other allergens.

What are the Dutch rules for cross-contamination warnings?

According to the NVWA, new rules for allergen cross-contamination warnings have applied in the Netherlands since 1 January 2026. The NVWA gives examples such as ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. Check for a warning about the allergen relevant to you, as well as checking the ingredients.

What should I do if I transfer peanuts to another container for a walk?

Keep the original packaging or a clear photo of the product and allergen information. That way, you can keep the information with the snack when you transfer the peanuts to another container.