If you have a peanut allergy, peanuts are not a suitable choice: being gluten-free, lactose-free or unsalted doesn’t change that. If you can eat peanuts, choose according to your specific dietary needs and check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. At a shared picnic, keep snacks that suit a particular diet separate from products containing allergens that need to be avoided.
If you can eat peanuts but want to avoid gluten or lactose, check the claims on the exact product. Albert Heijn lists these properties for AH Unsalted Peanuts 500 g; however, the product contains peanuts and may contain various nuts.
Ask guests in advance which allergens they need to avoid, and keep suitable snacks separate. Peanuts are not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy; Allergieplatform recommends packing and serving suitable products separately.
If you can eat the listed allergens and aren’t looking for a seasoning coating or added salt, compare the ingredients and packaging of the unsalted varieties. Duyvis, Jumbo and PLUS list peanuts and sunflower oil; also check the allergen information on the pack you choose.
First identify which allergen you need to avoid. Then check the dietary claims for the exact product, before considering the quantity and how you’ll take it with you.
The breakdown below covers consumers considering peanuts or a free-from snack for a picnic, grouped by their first purchasing priority.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy suitability | Check the ingredients and warnings about the possible presence of allergens. Don’t choose peanuts if you have a peanut allergy. | If you or a guest needs to avoid a specific allergen, this is the first thing to check. An estimated 29% of consumers put allergy suitability first. |
| Avoiding gluten | Check that the gluten-free claim applies to that exact product and pack. | If you can eat peanuts but avoid gluten, you’ll want to identify a suitable product without relying on the word ‘plain’ alone. Around 23% of consumers make this their first priority. |
| Lactose and milk | Distinguish between lactose-free claims and information about milk proteins if you have a milk allergy. | If you avoid lactose, look for a suitable lactose-free claim. If you have a milk allergy, check the allergen information separately. An estimated 18% of consumers put avoiding lactose first. |
| Keeping snacks separate | Pack suitable snacks separately and use your own clearly identifiable cutlery. | If you’ve already chosen a suitable snack but are eating with others who have brought foods containing different allergens, you’ll want to prevent the products from coming into contact. This is the first priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Quantity and packaging | Choose a pack size to suit the number of people eating, and check the pack for advice on storing any leftovers. | A large pack can be inconvenient for a small picnic, while the quantity needed matters more when there are more people. An estimated 12% of consumers prioritise quantity and cost. |
A dietary claim doesn’t rule out other allergens. AH Unsalted Peanuts 500 g is listed as gluten-free and lactose-free, but it contains peanuts and may contain various nuts.
Check each claim against the substance you or your guest needs to avoid, and read the information on the current packaging.
A plain, unsalted variety and peanuts with a flavour coating don’t necessarily have the same ingredients. According to the manufacturer, Duyvis Cocktail Party Nuts contain, among other things, wheat and lactose from milk.
Check the ingredients and allergen information again for each flavour and product type.
Contact with products containing allergens that need to be avoided can make a suitable snack unsafe to eat at the picnic.
Keep snacks in separate packaging and use your own clearly identifiable cutlery. It takes a little extra preparation.
Albert Heijn’s warning of 20 May 2026 concerned AH Extra Large Salted Peanuts in a tub with a best-before date of 04-11-2026, due to the possible presence of metal particles. The warning does not apply to every product from the brand.
Compare the exact product name, type and best-before date with Albert Heijn’s official warning.
The varieties reviewed range from unsalted peanuts to cocktail nuts with a flavour coating.
AH Unsalted Peanuts 500 g is one of the varieties reviewed. The retailer explicitly lists it as gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan.
Jumbo Unsalted Peanuts 250 g is one of the simple, unsalted varieties reviewed.
PLUS Extra Large Peanuts (unsalted), per 275 g tub, is one of the unsalted varieties reviewed.
Lidl Netherlands lists a product category for unsalted peanuts.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s roasted, unsalted peanuts, 250 g. ALDI is the retailer and Trader Joe’s is the product brand listed.
These Joybuy products range from unsalted and roasted peanuts to salted varieties, including peanuts in their shells and a seasoned option. They contain peanuts, so check the product information and allergen warnings for the variety you choose to make sure it suits your diet.
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An option if you can eat peanuts and are looking for an unsalted variety.
The ingredients list states 99% peanuts and sunflower oil. The product may contain traces of cashew nuts.
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This variety is ideal if you’re looking for peanuts in their shells and want to remove the shells before eating.
The product information lists peanuts and the possible presence of traces of nuts.
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A roasted variety for anyone who can eat peanuts and is looking for this type.
The product information lists 100% peanuts. The product is not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
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This variety is for anyone who can eat peanuts and is specifically looking for a salted option.
The product information lists added salt and the possible presence of nuts.
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A seasoned option for anyone who can eat peanuts and is looking for added flavour.
The product information lists salt and Sichuan pepper. The pack contains a desiccant sachet that must not be eaten.
No. Peanuts contain the peanut allergen; a claim about gluten, lactose or added salt doesn’t change that. Don’t choose peanuts for anyone with a peanut allergy.
No. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar, whereas a milk allergy involves milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check the allergen information rather than relying on a lactose-free claim alone.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. It helps you check whether ingredients such as peanuts, nuts, cereals containing gluten or milk are present.
These are phrases that the NVWA permits for warnings about possible cross-contamination. The warning must be based on a risk assessment; if it is not possible to exceed reference levels, the manufacturer must not include a warning about possible cross-contamination. The NVWA has been checking this since 1 January 2026.
Pack suitable snacks separately from products containing allergens you need to avoid, and use your own clearly identifiable cutlery. Also follow the storage and resealing instructions on the pack of the variety you choose.
