Lunchbox fillers
You want to decide how much to put in a lunchbox, and you pay attention to the variety, allergen information and safe eating for children. Voedingscentrum advises against giving whole peanuts to children under 4.
Which pack is right for you?
Sharing snacks on holiday outings
You’re looking for individually wrapped bags that you can take or hand out without portioning them first. Check that the amount in each bag and the salted variety are suitable for those receiving them.
Families who portion snacks themselves
You fill several lunchboxes from one pack, taking into account how much you need and how to store the rest once opened.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need unopened individual bags or would rather portion the peanuts yourself. In the verified product information, the Duyvis portion pack is an example of individually wrapped bags; the packs listed for other brands are intended to be portioned yourself.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating and sharing safely | Check for warnings about peanuts and other allergens, and consider the form of the peanuts. | If I’m taking peanuts for children, I want to check first that the allergens and the form are suitable for whoever will be eating them. Around 25% of consumers put safe eating and sharing first. |
| Individual bags | Check the number of inner packs and the weight of each bag; a total weight or number of portions doesn’t prove that the pack contains individual bags. | I want bags I can take or hand out unopened, without having to portion everything myself first. Around 31% of consumers prioritise individually wrapped bags. |
| Variety and quantity | Read the ingredients and nutritional information, and decide for yourself how much to put in the lunchbox. | If I want to weigh out the amount for each lunchbox myself, I look for an unsalted variety and a pack I can scoop from. Around 25% of consumers prioritise variety and quantity. |
| Stock and storage | Check the total contents and how you can seal the pack securely after opening. | I want to know how much will be left after filling the lunchboxes and how to store it. Around 19% of consumers give greatest weight to stock and storage. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small bag is a suitable portion for a child
The verified Duyvis portion pack contains 60-gram bags. The pack size doesn’t tell you whether the amount or the form is suitable for a child.
Decide for yourself how much you want to serve. Voedingscentrum advises against giving whole peanuts to children under 4; choking is also a concern for older children.
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Confusing a number of portions with individual bags
A product page may list portions for one large pack. That doesn’t mean the contents are divided into individual lunch bags.
Check whether the product information actually mentions inner packs. If you’re portioning the contents yourself, you’ll need time and suitable containers.
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Assuming unsalted means allergen-free
Unsalted peanuts still contain peanuts, and some product information also warns that they may contain other nuts. A general age recommendation is no substitute for checking the ingredients and warnings.
Read the information for the specific pack. If someone has a peanut allergy, don’t give them a product containing peanuts.
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Buying a large pack without a plan for the leftovers
According to Voedingscentrum, peanuts can lose quality after opening. If they turn rancid, become tough or develop mould, don’t eat them.
Voedingscentrum recommends storing salted peanuts in a well-sealed container in a cool, dark and dry place.
Brands and packaging to consider
Duyvis
For individual bags, a portion pack of 20 × 60 grams is listed. FOOX provides the case and bag identification; the Foods & Goods product information lists peanuts, sunflower oil and salt as ingredients.
- The twenty inner packs make this a clear example of a multipack.
- The 60 grams per bag is not a general portion recommendation for children. The ingredients list includes salt, and the product may contain other nuts.
Albert Heijn
AH Unsalted Peanuts is listed as one 300-gram pack, with a 25-gram serving size shown on the product page.
- The product page includes nutritional information and instructions to close the pack after use.
- This is one pack to portion yourself, not a multipack of individual bags.
Jumbo
Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts Value Pack is listed as one 500-gram pack. The product page gives approximately 17 servings.
- The product information lists ingredients and nutritional values per 100 and 30 grams.
- The serving information doesn’t mean there are 17 individual bags in the pack.
Lidl
The Lidl product page describes 200 grams of roasted, unsalted peanuts for snacking or cooking.
- The pack listed is a familiar option for portioning yourself.
- The product page says it is sold in store; it isn’t described as a multipack of individual bags.
ALDI
The Dutch product page describes Trader Joe’s Peanuts, 250 grams, as unsalted.
- The product page confirms the pack size and that the peanuts are unsalted.
- The pack described isn’t a multipack; check the product information on the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS product pages list unsalted peanuts in 250- and 500-gram bags. The ingredients information lists peanuts and sunflower oil.
- With either of the listed sizes, you can decide how much to put in a lunchbox yourself.
- These are bags to portion yourself, not individual lunch bags. The product information warns that the product may contain cashew nuts.
Peanuts to portion yourself
These Joybuy products suit anyone who wants to portion peanuts from one pack themselves, rather than taking individual portion bags.
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g’woon Unsalted Peanuts, 250 g
A good choice for portioning yourself if you want unsalted peanuts to weigh out.
The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil; the product may contain cashew nuts.
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Verse Extra Large Roasted Peanuts, 210 g
A pack to portion yourself if you’re looking for roasted, unsalted peanuts.
The product information lists 100% peanuts and no added salt. Peanuts are not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
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G’woon Peanuts in Shell, 500 g
The larger pack may suit you if you want to portion peanuts yourself for snacking or cooking.
The peanuts are in their shells, which you’ll need to remove before putting them in a lunchbox.
Frequently asked questions
Can young children eat whole peanuts from a lunch bag?
Voedingscentrum advises against giving whole peanuts or nuts to children under 4. Older children can also choke: make sure they eat calmly at the table and stay with them. Voedingscentrum suggests considering ground nuts or nut butter as an alternative.
Can you share peanuts with a child who has a peanut allergy?
No. If a child has a peanut allergy, don’t give them food that contains peanuts. Jeroen Bosch Hospital also warns about cross-contamination; an individual bag doesn’t change the ingredients.
Is a 60-gram bag automatically one portion for a child?
No. In the Duyvis portion pack described here, 60 grams is the contents of one individual bag, not a general recommendation for a child. Information on product pages, such as the 25 grams listed by AH or the 30 grams for which Jumbo gives nutritional values, is not automatically personal dietary advice either.
What allergen information must appear on packaging in the Netherlands?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, prepacked products must show allergen information on the label. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has also checked during inspections that cross-contamination warnings are used correctly. Always read the information on the specific pack.
What should you do with the recalled AH tub of peanuts?
Do not eat AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub if the best-before date is 04-11-2026. Albert Heijn’s warning applies only to this specific pack and date, and refers to possible metal fragments.