Who should check food labels?

People avoiding a specific allergen

For them, the ingredients in the exact flavour and pack are what matter. They check the ingredients, declared allergens and any cross-contamination warning before choosing.

People looking for gluten-free crisps

They can start with a gluten-free range, such as the categories offered by Jumbo and Albert Heijn. They can then check the individual product’s label against their other requirements.

People comparing nutritional information

If you’re mainly interested in the ingredients or portion size for a short coffee break, you can compare ingredients, fat and nutritional information per 100 g or per portion. This doesn’t replace an allergen check.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide which ingredient or characteristic matters most to you. A retailer’s category can help you search, but it’s the packaging of the crisps you choose that tells you which ingredients and allergens to check.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Avoiding a specific allergen Read the ingredients, any prominently highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warning on the current packaging. If I need to avoid a particular allergen, I want to know what’s in this exact flavour and what warnings apply. For around 36% of consumers, avoiding that allergen is the top priority.
Finding gluten-free crisps Check the gluten-free label on the product itself, then read the information about any other allergens relevant to you. I’m looking for a savoury snack to have with my coffee and want to focus on gluten-free products without overlooking my other requirements. For around 29% of consumers, gluten-free is the top priority.
Choosing plant-based or dairy-free Check the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour. A plant-based label alone doesn’t tell you whether the product is free from all allergens. I want plant-based or dairy-free crisps for my coffee break, even if another flavour from the same brand isn’t suitable. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this requirement.
Comparing nutritional information Compare the fat content and portion size on the packaging, and check whether any comparative claims refer to the same type of product. For a short break, I mainly want to see how much I’m having and how the nutritional information differs between varieties. This is the most important factor for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘free from’ means the same thing every time

    Gluten-free, dairy-free and plant-based answer different questions. A gluten-free product may still contain another allergen you need to avoid.

    Start with your specific requirement, then read the label for the exact variety.

  • Relying on a previous purchase

    A familiar brand or flavour doesn’t mean an old ingredients list will always be accurate. Albert Heijn and Pringles point out that product information or recipes can change.

    Even if you’re buying a product again, check the packaging you’re actually taking home.

  • Assuming plain or plant-based means allergen-free

    A short ingredients list or plant-based positioning doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether the crisps meet your specific allergen requirements.

    Use these characteristics to help find products, but base your final choice on the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings.

  • Treating a retailer’s category as a product label

    A gluten-free crisps category can help you narrow down your search, but it doesn’t tell you what other ingredients are in each individual snack.

    Open the information for the product you’ve chosen and check the current packaging when you buy it.

Brands and retailers to explore

A brand or retailer category is a starting point for comparing varieties, not a claim that the entire range meets a particular dietary requirement.

Lay's

A crisp brand with plain and oven-baked varieties, among others, which you can assess individually.

  • PepsiCo’s product checker lists potatoes, vegetable oils, salt and antioxidants for Lay's Naturel 200 g.
  • The ingredients in Lay's Naturel don’t tell you about other flavours or whether they’re suitable for every allergen. Check the current packaging.

Pringles

Stacked crisps for those who also consider the shape and pack size.

  • Pringles Netherlands lists Original in 40 g, 70 g and 165 g sizes.
  • Pringles says that recipes can change. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for your chosen size and flavour.

Smiths

A brand of shaped potato and corn snacks where the flavour matters.

  • Jumbo’s product information explicitly lists milk and sulphur dioxide/sulphites for Smiths Sticks Paprika.
  • This allergen information applies to this variety; don’t assume it applies to all Smiths snacks.

Albert Heijn

A supermarket with an online gluten-free crisps category and product pages where you can browse varieties.

  • The gluten-free category can help you search for products more specifically.
  • Albert Heijn advises shoppers to read the packaging, as ingredients, nutritional and allergen information can change.

Jumbo

A supermarket with an online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks, as well as information for each product.

  • The category gives you a more focused way to search. The product page for Smiths Sticks Paprika shows how allergens can be listed for each variety.
  • A category label doesn’t replace checking the exact snack and its current packaging.

Lidl / Snack Day

A supermarket and its own snack brand to consider when comparing retailers’ ranges.

  • Lidl lists Snack Day Naturel among its crisps and snacks.
  • Check with each retailer and on the packaging whether the variety you want is available and meets your specific ingredient or allergen requirements.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a gluten-free filter enough if I need to avoid another allergen?

No. A gluten-free filter focuses on gluten and doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are present. Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings relevant to your requirements on the current packaging.

Where can I find allergen information on crisp packaging?

For pre-packed crisps, check the ingredients list, where allergens must be highlighted under EU rules. Also read any separate cross-contamination warning if it matters to your choice.

Why should I check each flavour from the same brand separately?

Because the ingredients can vary between flavours. For example, Jumbo lists milk and sulphur dioxide/sulphites for Smiths Sticks Paprika; that doesn’t tell you definitively about other Smiths varieties.

Does a lower fat content tell me anything about allergens?

No. Comparing fat content doesn’t answer questions about gluten, milk or other allergens. For that, use the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the crisps in question.