Who is this choice relevant to?

Snackers looking to cut their fat intake

You want a different product composition, not just less added oil or a smaller portion. The European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low-fat’ claim on solid foods at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g.

Lunch snackers who want to manage their portions

You’re looking for a measured amount to have alongside your canteen lunch. The Voedingscentrum gives 157 kcal and 12.9 g of fat as the average values for a 25 g handful of unsalted peanuts; these are category averages, not brand-specific figures.

Snackers looking for a practical, unsalted option

You want peanuts you can take with you and portion out yourself. Check the ingredients, pack size and storage instructions on the exact pack: unsalted doesn’t automatically mean low in fat.

What should you look for when buying?

When choosing peanuts to have alongside a Dutch university canteen lunch, the right choice depends on what matters most to you.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Fat content and claims Compare the fat content per 100 g and, for a ‘reduced fat’ claim, check which product it is being compared with. For a ‘low-fat’ claim on solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g per 100 g. I want the peanuts themselves to demonstrably contain less fat, not just to have no oil added. Around 31% of consumers put fat content first.
Portion size alongside lunch Weigh out your portion or choose it in advance; the Voedingscentrum uses 25 g as an example of a handful of unsalted peanuts. I want to take a measured amount with me rather than treat the whole bag as a lunch portion. Around 25% of consumers put portion control first.
Salt and ingredients Compare the salt content per 100 g and read the ingredients. PLUS lists 0.02 g of salt per 100 g for unsalted peanuts; the product listing for Duyvis Oven roasted Original gives 1.4 g. I mainly choose unsalted peanuts and assess the fat content separately. Around 19% of consumers put an unsalted composition first.
Packaging and taking them with you Check the net weight and storage instructions after opening; a large bag means you’ll need to portion it out. I want packaging that’s suitable for taking with me and storing between lunch breaks. Around 13% of consumers put convenient packaging and storage first.
Allergen information Read the label on a pre-packed product, or ask the canteen for information about unpackaged peanuts. I want to know which allergens are present before buying, whether I’m buying for myself or someone else. Around 12% of consumers put allergen information first.

The NVWA states that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. For unpackaged food, information about any allergens present must be available; peanuts are an allergen that must be declared.

Common buying mistakes

  • Confusing ‘no added fat’ with ‘low fat’

    Duyvis describes Oven Baked Peanuts Original as roasted without added oil or fat. That alone doesn’t tell you how much fat the finished product contains.

    Read the nutrition table alongside the preparation description and compare the values per 100 g.

  • Applying a claim about a snack mix to plain peanuts

    The claim on Duyvis Japanese snack mix is based on a comparison with ordinary peanuts in a crispy coating. The mix also contains rice crackers, so it’s a different type of product.

    Check what the comparison refers to, then decide whether you’re looking for plain peanuts or a mix.

  • Treating a large bag as one lunch portion

    A 500 g bag of AH unsalted peanuts is the pack size, not a suggested portion. The amount you eat determines how much fat and energy you get from that portion.

    Decide in advance how much you want to take with you and pack that portion separately.

Brands to compare

Duyvis

The range includes different preparation methods and flavours; distinguish oven-roasted varieties from mixes containing peanuts.

  • Duyvis describes Oven Baked Peanuts Original as roasted without added oil or fat.
  • The Dutch product listings at Albert Heijn and PLUS each give 50 g of fat per 100 g for Oven roasted Original, 225 g. So the preparation claim doesn’t prove that the product is low in fat.

Albert Heijn

AH unsalted peanuts are listed in a 500 g bag, which you can divide into lunch portions yourself.

  • The product listing describes them as unsalted peanuts.
  • ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean lower in fat; compare the nutritional values on the exact pack.

Jumbo

Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts are a standalone peanut snack in a 250 g pack.

  • The product information lists 99.5% peanuts and sunflower oil.
  • The information identifies peanuts as an allergen and notes that traces of nuts may be present; check the pack before you buy.

Lidl

The Dutch product listing describes unsalted peanuts in a 285 g pack.

  • The product description says the peanuts are unsalted.
  • The listing says the product is sold in store, but doesn’t confirm stock at a specific branch.

Aldi

The product is called Trader Joe’s; Aldi is the retailer. The Dutch product listing is for 250 g of roasted, unsalted peanuts.

  • The product description says they are roasted and unsalted.
  • Those qualities alone don’t show that the fat content is lower.

PLUS

PLUS Unsalted Peanuts are listed in a 250 g bag.

  • The product information lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil, with 0.02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The same product listing gives 50 g of fat per 100 g, so in this case unsalted doesn’t mean low in fat.

Peanuts at Joybuy

This selection features roasted, unsalted peanuts that you can portion out yourself; the nutritional information doesn’t show a reduced fat content.

Verse Extra Large Roasted Peanuts, 210 g

Verse Extra Large Roasted Peanuts, 210 g

The 210 g bag can be divided into a lunch portion of your choice.

The product information lists 100% peanuts, unsalted, and 50 g of fat per 100 g.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

When can a solid snack be labelled ‘low fat’?

According to the European Commission, a solid food can be labelled ‘low fat’ if it contains no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Check the nutritional values on the exact pack; unsalted or roasted without added fat isn’t the same as low fat.

Are unsalted peanuts automatically lower in calories?

No. ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t describe the energy content. The Voedingscentrum gives 157 kcal and 12.9 g of fat as the average values for a 25 g handful of unsalted peanuts; use the values on the exact pack when making your choice.

Is light peanut butter the same as lower-fat peanuts?

No. Jumbo describes Pindakaas Light as peanut butter containing at least 30% less fat than Jumbo pindakaas naturel. That’s a comparison between peanut butters, not evidence that plain snack peanuts contain less fat.

Does a university canteen have to provide allergen information for loose peanuts?

Yes. According to the NVWA, information about allergens present in unpackaged products must be available, either in writing or verbally under the applicable conditions. Ask before buying if the information isn’t clearly displayed.

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

Don’t eat this specific recalled product. Albert Heijn has issued a warning about possible metal fragments in the tub with this best-before date. The warning doesn’t automatically apply to other best-before dates or unsalted varieties.