Start with the allergen you need to avoid: check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging of the exact crisp variety. An own-brand plain crisp is only an option if its label meets your requirements. A gluten-free selection can help you find products without gluten-containing cereals, but it won’t answer questions about other allergens.
You check the ingredients and relevant cross-contamination warnings for the exact crisp variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label.
You use a gluten-free category to narrow down your search, then read the full label. Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer online categories for crisps or savoury snacks; a category listing tells you nothing about other allergens in an individual product.
You want a plain variety whose ingredients you can check. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo about the plain varieties mentioned here is a useful starting point, but your decision should be based on the label of the pack you actually buy.
First, work out which allergen matters to you. Then consider whether a gluten-free category or an own-brand plain variety will help you find suitable crisps.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen and cross-contamination | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any relevant warnings on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid my allergen strictly, I want to check both the ingredients and warnings on the pack. This individual check would be the main priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Finding gluten-free crisps | Use a gluten-free category as a starting point, then check the exact variety for other relevant allergens. | I want to find crisps without gluten-containing cereals quickly, without overlooking other allergens. Being able to find gluten-free crisps easily would be the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Own-brand plain variety | Compare the ingredients of the exact plain varieties; don’t assume a short list means a product is suitable for your allergy. | I want to be able to check an own-brand plain variety before choosing it. This own-brand option would be the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
A short ingredients list doesn’t automatically make a variety suitable for every allergy. Any cross-contamination warning may also be important to your decision.
Check the label of the exact flavour and pack every time you buy, even if you’ve bought a similar variety before.
A gluten-free category helps you find products without gluten-containing cereals, but it won’t filter out allergens such as milk or soya.
After filtering, check the ingredients and warnings on the pack for all the allergens that are relevant to you.
Lidl Netherlands says that the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for its food products are shown on the packaging, not in a general online list.
So check the packaging of the specific product or ask Lidl for information using the exact product description and barcode.
Albert Heijn offers an own-brand plain variety and an online category for gluten-free crisps. Check each variety individually.
Jumbo offers an own-brand plain variety and a separate online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks.
Lay's is worth considering if you want to compare a well-known plain variety with own-brand crisps.
Pringles ingredients vary by flavour, so the exact variety matters.
When checking a specific Lidl crisp, start with the packaging to find out about allergens.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Read the label on the exact bag or tube you’re planning to buy.
No. A gluten-free label relates to gluten; it doesn’t automatically cover other allergens. So check the other ingredients and any relevant warnings on the packaging too.
Take any warning about possible cross-contamination into account when assessing the product for your specific allergen. If you can’t tell from the packaging whether the variety meets your requirements, don’t choose it based only on the product name or an online filter.
Use online information to compare varieties, but check the current packaging before eating the product. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information may change when a product is updated.
