Start by checking which allergen you need to avoid: gluten-free or lactose-free doesn’t mean that peanut butter is peanut-free or nut-free. Whole nuts on their own aren’t a suitable snack for children under four. A finely processed paste may be suitable only if peanuts and any relevant warnings are compatible with the diet, and the childcare setting allows it. The NVWA lists peanuts and nuts as separate allergen categories.
You’re looking for a snack that suits your child’s diet and want to distinguish between peanuts, nuts, gluten, lactose and milk protein. The NVWA lists these allergens separately, while the Voedingscentrum distinguishes between lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy.
If the ingredient in question is suitable for the diet, you can look for a processed form rather than whole nuts on their own. The Voedingscentrum suggests finely chopped nuts or a little 100% nut butter as options for young children.
You want to choose a snack that suits your child’s diet and any rules at their childcare setting or school. Ask the setting exactly what its rules cover; any local arrangements are not a general requirement across the Netherlands.
First check which allergen you need to avoid, then consider the form the food takes, and finally check whether the snack suits everyday use and any rules at your childcare setting.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding the right allergen | Check the specific ingredient, allergen information and warnings. The NVWA distinguishes between peanuts and nuts; a gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t, on its own, tell you anything about those ingredients. | If I need to avoid a particular allergen, I want to check whether it’s in the product or mentioned on the label. Around 36% of consumers put avoiding the right allergen first. |
| A suitable form | Don’t serve whole nuts on their own as a snack to children under four. The Voedingscentrum suggests finely chopped nuts or a little 100% nut butter as possible processed forms. | If nuts are suitable for the diet, I want to choose a processed form for my toddler rather than whole nuts on their own. Around 29% of consumers pay particular attention to the form the food takes. |
| An everyday snack | Assess the snack alongside any dietary requirements. The Voedingscentrum suggests fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread as snacks for toddlers, and includes 100% nut butter and peanut butter in the Schijf van Vijf. | If I’m looking for a regular snack, I don’t want to rely on a free-from claim alone; I also want to consider what’s suitable for that eating occasion. Around 21% of consumers give everyday food choices the highest priority. |
| Rules at a childcare setting or school | Ask the setting concerned which ingredients and warnings are covered by any rules it has. Don’t assume that nut-free automatically means peanut-free too. | If the snack is going to childcare or school, I want to find out what rules apply there first. Around 14% of consumers put suitability for that setting first. |
A product can be gluten-free or lactose-free and still contain peanuts or nuts. For example, AH Terra naturel is labelled gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains peanuts and may contain various nuts.
Check which ingredient the claim refers to, then read the ingredients and allergen information. Lactose-free does not mean free from milk protein.
Whole nuts on their own aren’t a suitable snack for children under four because of the risk of choking, as explained by the MDL Fonds.
Don’t choose whole nuts on their own as a snack for your toddler. Consider a processed form only if the ingredient is suitable for the diet and the information on the label checks out.
Texture can make a difference when choosing: Lidl and ALDI describe varieties with and without pieces, while PLUS states that its peanut butter included in the research may contain cashew nuts.
Check the full variety name and the allergen information on the packaging; don’t rely on the brand name or the ‘100%’ label alone.
AH Terra Plantaardig 100% pindakaas naturel is worth considering if gluten-free or lactose-free features are relevant and peanuts are suitable for the diet.
Jumbo’s 100% Pindakaas Naturel is a peanut butter variety for situations where peanuts are suitable for the diet.
PLUS 100% pindakaas is worth considering if you want to check the ingredients and warnings for each variety.
The Maribel range reviewed includes peanut butter varieties with and without pieces.
HELAES 100% pindakaas is described as peanut butter made with peanuts only, available smooth and with pieces.
Duyvis Pinda’s Gezouten shows why a standard nut snack is a different choice from a snack for toddlers.
This selection includes peanut pastes, nut spreads and sesame paste. Check each product to make sure the listed ingredients and any warnings are suitable for the diet and comply with the rules at your childcare setting.
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This smooth peanut paste is a processed form; choose it only if peanuts are suitable for the diet.
The product information lists 100% roasted peanuts, with no added sugar or salt.
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This sesame paste is an alternative with no nuts as an ingredient, but only if sesame is suitable for the diet.
The product information lists 100% sesame seeds and identifies sesame as an allergen.
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This spread is suitable only if hazelnuts, almonds, milk and soya are all compatible with the diet.
The product information lists hazelnuts, almonds, milk and soya as ingredients or allergens.
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This peanut butter is suitable only if peanuts and the other listed ingredients are compatible with the diet.
The ingredients list states 74% peanuts, vegetable oils, dextrose and salt; peanuts and soya are listed as allergens.
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The title says it contains peanut pieces, so this isn’t the smooth variety. Choose it only if peanuts and any listed possible traces are compatible with the diet.
The product information lists 79% peanuts and says that it may contain nuts.
Not on the basis of a lactose-free claim alone. Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy are different conditions. If the diet requires avoiding milk protein, check the ingredients and allergen information. The Voedingscentrum explains the difference.
Check the allergen information on the label of any prepacked product. The NVWA lists peanuts, nuts, milk and cereals containing gluten, among others, as separate categories.
Yes. The new Dutch rules on precautionary allergen warnings have been in force since 1 January 2026, according to the NVWA and the Regulier Overleg Warenwet. The absence of a warning doesn’t automatically mean that a product is suitable for everyone with an allergy.
No. The Voedingscentrum suggests fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread as possible snacks for toddlers. Choose something that suits the specific diet; wholemeal bread, for example, isn’t automatically gluten-free.
PLUS advises stirring the peanut butter before use and storing it in a cool, dry place. This storage advice doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with an allergy; check the ingredients and allergen information for that.
