Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re looking for a clear vegan label

You don’t want to have to guess where the flavourings or other ingredients in your crisps come from. A label for the exact flavour gives you a clearer starting point.

If you want to pick up paprika crisps

You’re mainly looking for paprika flavour, but want to know why one of the varieties we checked is labelled as suitable for vegans while others contain milk ingredients.

If you’re also comparing flavour and texture

Once you’ve checked that a product is suitable for vegans, you can choose between smooth crisps, ridged crisps and a corn snack, for example. You can then compare the nutritional information for each product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the exact flavour is suitable for your vegan diet. Flavour, texture, pack size and nutritional value can then help you choose between suitable products.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Suitable for vegans Look for a current vegan label for the exact variety. Otherwise, read the full ingredients list and, if the source of an ingredient is unclear, contact the manufacturer if needed. I don’t want a seasoning powder to get in the way of my vegan choice. For around 36% of consumers, that certainty matters most.
Flavour and texture Only compare flavour, shape and the snack’s base once you’ve checked that it’s vegan-friendly: potato crisps and a corn snack aren’t the same thing. Once the ingredients are suitable, I’m mainly looking for a paprika flavour or a different texture that appeals to me. Around 29% of consumers put flavour and texture first.
Packaging Check the pack size and whether the packaging is resealable if you want to enjoy the snack over several occasions. For a get-together or several snacking occasions, I want a suitable size and practical storage. That’s the next most important consideration for around 21% of consumers.
Nutritional value Compare fat and salt per 100 g, and check the serving size on the current packaging too. After checking that a product is vegan-friendly, I want to know how the nutritional values of my options compare. Around 14% of consumers give this comparison top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the flavour name means a product is vegan

    Paprika sounds plant-based, but according to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the Pringles Paprika, Smiths Sticks Paprika and Jumbo Ribbelchips Paprika we checked contain ingredients derived from milk.

    Check the vegan label and ingredients on the specific bag or tube before choosing based on flavour.

  • Assuming vegetarian means vegan

    Jumbo labels the Jumbo Ribbelchips Paprika we checked as vegetarian, but the ingredients list includes whey powder and milk flavourings.

    Don’t use a vegetarian label as a substitute for a vegan label or an ingredients check.

  • Confusing a nutritional claim with a vegan claim

    A statement about fat content doesn’t tell you whether the flavourings contain ingredients of animal origin.

    Check whether a product is suitable for vegans separately from its nutritional values, using the current packaging.

  • Relying only on previous product information

    With a flavoured variety, it’s the ingredients and dietary labels on the pack you’re buying that matter.

    Read the label again if you pick up a different flavour, pack or version.

Brands to consider

Vegan status varies by product, so a brand name alone isn’t a reliable guide.

Albert Heijn

For anyone looking for paprika crisps with an explicit vegan label.

  • Albert Heijn labels AH Chips paprika as suitable for vegans.
  • That label applies to this variety and doesn’t automatically apply to other AH flavours.

Lay's

Worth considering if you’re looking at regular paprika crisps or a ridged paprika variety.

  • The Lay's Paprika and Lay's MAX Paprika varieties we checked come in different crisp shapes.
  • Don’t assume a product is suitable for vegans based on its flavour name or a vegetarian label. Check the current variety and, if the source of its flavourings is unclear, ask for confirmation.

Pringles

Known for stackable crisps in a resealable tube.

  • The tube can be handy if you don’t want to eat the whole pack at once.
  • The ingredients information from Albert Heijn lists sweet whey powder from milk in the Pringles Paprika variety we checked, so this variety isn’t suitable for a vegan diet.

Smiths

A different shape for anyone who wants paprika-flavoured sticks instead of flat potato crisps.

  • The Smiths Sticks Paprika variety we checked stands out for its stick shape.
  • Jumbo lists whey permeate from milk in the ingredients for this variety, so it isn’t suitable for vegans.

Jumbo

A supermarket own brand to check by flavour, including its ridged paprika crisps.

  • The Ribbelchips Paprika variety we checked has a ridged shape.
  • Jumbo lists whey powder and milk flavourings for this variety. The vegetarian label doesn’t make it vegan.

Joybuy products for flavoured crisps

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are paprika crisps always vegan?

No, ingredients vary by product. Albert Heijn labels AH Chips paprika as suitable for vegans, but product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo lists milk ingredients in the Pringles Paprika, Smiths Sticks Paprika and Jumbo Ribbelchips Paprika varieties we checked.

Is a vegetarian label enough for vegan crisps?

No, a vegetarian product can contain milk ingredients. The Jumbo Ribbelchips Paprika variety we checked is one example. For a vegan choice, check the label and ingredients for the exact variety.

What should I do if the source of flavourings or E numbers is unclear?

Don’t assume the product is suitable for vegans. The Voedingscentrum explains that some E numbers can come from plant or animal sources. If you’re unsure, ask the manufacturer about the ingredient in that specific variety.

Why should I check the packaging if I’ve already looked at the ingredients online?

The packaging of the product you’re buying is the best place to check the current ingredients and dietary labels. Pay attention to the exact flavour and version so you don’t rely on information for a different product.