Crisps with a Food Allergy: What to Check on the Label

Who is this guide for?

Shoppers avoiding a specific allergen

You’re buying crisps for yourself or someone else and want to check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the exact pack.

Anyone looking for gluten-free snacks

You use a gluten-free shopping category to find crisps or savoury snacks, but also check the product you choose for any other allergens that are relevant to you.

Flavour seekers with dietary restrictions

You want to compare plain and flavoured varieties without assuming that every flavour from the same brand has the same ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check that the exact pack is suitable for the allergen that needs to be avoided. Only then compare flavour and availability. A filter or a previous purchase is no substitute for checking the packaging.

What to check	What should you check?	Who is this most important for?
Ingredients and allergens	Read the full ingredients list on the exact pack. According to Your Europe, allergens that must be declared need to stand out in that list.	If I’m buying crisps for someone avoiding a specific allergen, I first want to check whether it’s listed as an ingredient. This is the main concern for around 36% of shoppers.
Possible cross-contamination	As well as checking the ingredients list, read any warnings about the possible unintended presence of the allergen in question.	Once I’ve checked the ingredients, I also want to know whether the pack warns of possible cross-contamination. This is the main concern for around 29% of shoppers.
Gluten-free selection	Use a gluten-free category only if gluten is the relevant dietary restriction, then check the label for any other relevant allergens.	If I’m avoiding gluten, I want to find possible crisps or savoury snacks more quickly without overlooking other allergens. Around 21% of shoppers prioritise this search.
Flavour and availability	Compare the exact flavour and check whether you can buy the same product and pack size whose label you’re checking.	Once I’ve found a suitable pack, I also want to choose a flavour that’s available. This is the deciding factor for around 14% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

Assuming all flavours from a brand are the same

Lay's and Pringles offer a range of flavours. An ingredient in one variety doesn’t tell you what’s in another.

Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact flavour and pack you’re buying.
Using a gluten-free filter as a general allergen filter

A gluten-free category can help you find products if you need to avoid gluten, but it doesn’t tell you whether they contain other allergens.

Use the filter to find options, then check every pack you’re considering for all relevant allergens.
Relying on old or online product information

Albert Heijn and Pringles point out that product information and recipes can change. A saved product page may not match the pack you buy.

Read the physical packaging before eating the product, even if you’ve bought it before.
Overlooking a warning about possible cross-contamination

This kind of warning refers to the possible unintended presence of an allergen. That’s different from an allergen being added as an ingredient.

Assess the warning separately from the ingredients list, in line with the guidance for the allergy in question.

Brands and retailers to explore

Brands and shopping categories can help you find varieties, but you should assess each pack individually to check whether it’s suitable.

Lay's

Lay's offers plain crisps as well as flavoured varieties.

The range of flavours gives you different products to compare individually.
A plain variety or a shared brand name doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed on another pack.

Pringles

Pringles offers crisps in a tube in a range of flavours.

You can compare different flavours side by side.
Pringles says recipes can change and recommends checking the information on the packaging.

Smiths

In this retail context, Smiths products include Smiths Sticks Paprika Chips at Jumbo.

This specific variety gives you a product to check on the label.
The product name doesn’t tell you whether the pack is suitable for a specific allergen restriction.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online category for gluten-free crisps.

The category can be a starting point if you’re avoiding gluten.
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergy information can change, and recommends checking the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks.

The category helps you search for different types of snacks.
Being listed in this category doesn’t tell you whether an individual pack contains other allergens.

Lidl

Lidl provides information about gluten-free products, although its wider range may vary.

The retailer’s information can help you plan your search.
Check which crisps are actually in store and read the label on the pack you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are plain crisps automatically suitable for someone with a food allergy?

No. The flavour name doesn’t tell you whether a pack is free from the allergen that needs to be avoided. Check the current ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging.

What does a warning about possible cross-contamination mean?

The warning refers to the possible unintended presence of an allergen, not necessarily an ingredient that has been added. Assess it separately from the ingredients list, in line with the guidance for the allergy in question.

Can I rely on the allergen information in a supermarket app?

Use an app to find products, but check the packaging on the pack you’ve bought before eating it. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients and allergy information can change.

Are gluten-free crisps also free from milk, nuts or peanuts?

A gluten-free label or shopping category doesn’t guarantee this. Check for milk, nuts, peanuts and every other relevant allergen separately on the packaging of the exact product.

Where can I find allergens in the ingredients list?

Allergens that must be declared need to stand out in the ingredients list. Your Europe gives different typefaces, font sizes or background colours as examples. Also read any separate warnings on the pack.