If you have a peanut allergy, don't choose peanuts: the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation identifies peanut proteins as the relevant allergen. If you need to avoid another ingredient, first establish what it is, then check the ingredients, allergen warnings and any relevant free-from claim on the exact pack; the NVWA stresses the importance of allergen information on labels. Only then compare salt, flavour and packaging. Unsalted or plain does not mean a product is allergen-free.
If you have a food allergy, check whether your allergen is listed as an ingredient or mentioned in a warning on the pack. If you have a peanut allergy, peanuts themselves are off the menu, as the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation explains.
If you're looking for gluten-free options, for example, check the specific product information rather than relying on words such as ‘unsalted’. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises looking for the Crossed Grain trademark or a gluten-free statement.
If you can eat peanuts and want an unsalted option, compare the variety and pack. Examples include PLUS peanuts in a 300 g pack, Lidl peanuts in a 285 g pack and ALDI Trader Joe’s peanuts in a 250 g pack; these pack weights are not serving recommendations. Product information from PLUS, Lidl Netherlands and ALDI Netherlands describes these varieties.
First, identify what you need to avoid. Then check the exact pack. Only once it suits your diet should you compare flavour, salt and how easy it is to take with you.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding the right allergen | Check the allergens present and any warnings on the exact pack. If you have a peanut allergy, don't choose peanuts. | If I have a food allergy, I want to check first whether my allergen is present or mentioned in a warning. Around 39% of consumers give avoiding an allergen their top priority. |
| Checking a specific free-from claim | Identify the ingredient you need to avoid and look for the corresponding statement; the ingredients in a flavoured variety may differ from those in plain peanuts. | If, for example, I want to avoid gluten, I look for clear information that meets that dietary requirement. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a specific dietary suitability claim. |
| Choosing unsalted | Check the label and nutrition information for the variety in question; don't assume they apply to another pack. | If I can eat peanuts and want to avoid added salt, I want to be able to check the salt information for that exact variety. Around 15% of consumers give choosing unsalted their top priority. |
| Quantity and packaging | Check the net weight and packaging. Don't assume that a ‘stand-up pouch’ is resealable. | For a train journey, I want to decide in advance how much to take and how to carry an opened pack. Around 15% of consumers give quantity and ease of carrying their top priority. |
Peanuts are an allergen in their own right. A general free-from statement doesn't automatically tell you which ingredient is being avoided, and it doesn't make peanuts suitable for someone with a peanut allergy.
First, identify the ingredient you need to avoid. If you have a peanut allergy, don't choose a product from the peanut category.
Unsalted describes the salt content, not allergens or suitability for a specific diet. For its 300 g pack of unsalted peanuts, PLUS lists peanuts as an allergen present and various nuts under ‘may contain’.
Read the ingredients and warnings alongside the salt information. If you need a gluten-free option, look for specific product information that confirms this.
Duyvis offers a range that includes marinated peanuts and coated peanuts, as well as its salted plain variety. So the ingredients in one variety don't automatically apply to another.
Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact flavour you want to buy.
Albert Heijn's warning identifies AH Pinda’s extra groot gezouten in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, due to possible metal fragments. The warning concerns that specific product and date.
Compare the product name, packaging and best-before date with the warning. Do not eat the affected pack named in the warning.
Duyvis offers several peanut varieties, including unsalted, salted, marinated and coated products.
Albert Heijn offers an unsalted own-brand variety, among other products, and publishes product information and warnings for specific products.
Jumbo lists Ongezouten Kingsize Pinda’s in a 350 g pack.
Lidl lists 285 g of unsalted peanuts, product number 154219.
ALDI sells Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted peanuts in a 250 g pack.
PLUS lists 300 g of unsalted peanuts in a stand-up pouch.
This selection includes unsalted peanuts, a peanut and cashew mix, peanuts in their shells and raw peanuts to prepare yourself. Check the ingredients and warnings for each product individually; a peanut product is not automatically suitable if you have an allergy or follow a specific diet.
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Only consider these if you can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted variety.
The product description lists 99% peanuts and sunflower oil, and warns that the product may contain cashews.
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Only consider this if you can eat peanuts and cashews and are looking for a mix to take with you.
The product information lists cashews, peanuts, honey and salt. The product may contain traces of other nuts and soya.
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An option if you can eat peanuts and want to take peanuts in their shells with you.
The product name specifies a 500 g pack. The product description warns that it may contain traces of nuts.
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Only consider these if you can eat peanuts and are looking for roasted, unsalted peanuts.
The product description lists 100% peanuts and a 210 g pack. The product contains peanuts and is not suitable if you have a peanut allergy.
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This variety is only suitable if you want to prepare raw peanuts yourself; the product description recommends roasting them to enjoy as a snack.
The product name specifies peanuts with skins and a 500 g pack.
No. A peanut allergy is caused by proteins in peanuts, as the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation explains; removing the salt doesn't change that. If you have a peanut allergy, don't choose peanuts.
Look for specific information stating that the product is gluten-free; the Dutch Coeliac Society advises checking for the Crossed Grain trademark or a gluten-free statement. Also check the exact variety and pack: ‘unsalted’ does not mean ‘gluten-free’.
This type of warning indicates that the named allergen may be present unintentionally. The NVWA describes phrases such as ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’; check whether X is the allergen you need to avoid.
Albert Heijn's warning identifies AH Pinda’s extra groot gezouten in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, due to possible metal fragments. The warning applies to the product and date specified, not automatically to all AH peanuts.
No. Don't assume a pack is resealable just because it's described as a ‘stand-up pouch’. PLUS describes its 300 g unsalted peanuts as being in a stand-up pouch; check the closure and any storage instructions on the pack you buy.
