Start with exactly what the child needs to avoid, rather than relying on the general ‘free from’ label. Check the ingredients, clearly declared allergens and any cross-contamination warnings for the specific flavour and pack you’ve chosen. For example, gluten-free doesn’t mean a snack is also free from soya or sesame. Small bags can be handy for a day out during the holidays, but check each variety separately to make sure it’s suitable.
If you’re looking for crisps for a child with a known food allergy, start with the packaging for the exact variety. Compare the ingredients and any relevant cross-contamination warnings with the child’s individual avoidance advice. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlight the importance of clear allergen information.
If gluten-free is your main requirement, an explicit gluten-free label can help you narrow down your search. Also check for any other allergens that matter for your child: according to Jumbo, Schär Salinis gluten-free pretzels contain soya and may contain sesame.
If you’re arranging snacks for a playdate or a day out during the holidays, you’ll want to know in advance what the children can eat and how to divide the portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends asking about allergies and other dietary requirements when providing treats. Small bags don’t automatically make a snack suitable for everyone in the group.
First decide which dietary requirement takes priority, then choose a flavour or pack size. Use a retailer’s category to help with your search, but don’t treat it as a substitute for checking the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Read the ingredients and clearly declared allergens for the exact variety. Also consider any cross-contamination warning in line with the child’s individual avoidance advice. | If my child needs to avoid a particular allergen, I don’t want to rely on the brand name or a general claim. For around 36% of consumers, checking for a specific allergen comes first. |
| Gluten-free | Look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the pack for other allergens too. | If gluten-free is the main requirement, I want to be able to choose a clearly labelled product without overlooking other dietary restrictions. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a gluten-free option. |
| Sharing with a group | Ask about dietary restrictions in advance. If you’re buying a multipack, check the information for each flavour and individual bag. | For a playdate, I want to be able to hand out portions that suit the children taking part. Group suitability is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Salt and ingredients | Compare the ingredients list and the amount of salt per 100 g. Check allergens separately if they’re also relevant. | If I’m mainly looking at salt or a short ingredients list, I want to be able to compare the nutritional information for the crisps I choose. This is the first consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
A gluten-free product may still contain other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists soya and possible sesame in Schär Salinis.
Make a note of what the child needs to avoid, then check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the exact pack.
Flavours can contain different ingredients. Pringles also says that recipes may change from time to time.
Check the label again for every flavour and pack, even if you’ve bought a different variety from the same brand before.
A gluten-free filter tells you nothing about other possible allergens. Online product information may also differ from the packaging you buy.
Use the filter to find products to consider, then check the product label itself. If you can’t check it, don’t rely on the filter alone when choosing a product to avoid a particular allergen.
Small bags make it easier to hand out portions, but a multipack may contain several flavours with different ingredients.
Ask about dietary restrictions in advance, check each variety separately and keep the packaging available for anyone who wants to read the information.
Lay's offers a range of flavours and pack formats, including multipacks which the brand presents as handy for sharing.
Pringles offers crisps in tubes in a range of flavours and sizes, if you’re looking for a tube pack.
Schär is a useful place to start if an explicitly labelled gluten-free savoury snack is your main requirement.
Jumbo has an online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks, which can help you search more specifically.
Albert Heijn provides product information and filters to help you compare ingredients and nutritional values.
If you’re choosing a product based on allergens at Lidl, you’ll need to check the packaging of the specific item in store.
These crisps and savoury snacks vary in flavour, type and pack size. Use the product listing to find an option, then compare the current packaging with the child’s dietary requirements before handing it out.
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The 25 g pack could be handy for an individual snack break. If you’re choosing a gluten-free option or need to avoid a specific allergen, check the current packaging and any cross-contamination warnings.
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The 300 g pack is an option if you’d like to divide up the portions yourself. Before choosing it for a child with an allergy, check the ingredients and any warnings for this specific paprika variety.
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If you’re looking for a chilli flavour, this comes in a 90 g pack. According to the product listing, this variety contains milk, so don’t choose it if milk needs to be avoided. Check the current packaging for any other dietary restrictions.
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These 150 g potato sticks are a savoury snack you can divide up yourself, rather than individually wrapped portions. If you’re choosing them to avoid a specific allergen, check the current ingredients and warnings.
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These chilli-flavoured cassava crisps come in a 250 g pack. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, read the full ingredients information and any warnings on the current packaging first.
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean the product is free from other allergens. According to Jumbo, Schär Salinis gluten-free pretzels contain soya and may contain sesame, so read all the information on the packaging of the snack you choose.
No. Use a filter to find products, then check the packaging of the one you actually buy. Ingredients can change, so compare the allergens listed and any warnings with what the child needs to avoid.
Take the warning into account when deciding whether the product is suitable for the child in question; it refers to possible accidental contact with an allergen. Whether the product is appropriate should be based on the child’s individual avoidance advice.
Yes. If you’re providing food for other children, ask in advance about any restrictions or dietary requirements. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends taking allergies and other dietary requirements into account when providing treats. Then check the snacks you plan to hand out.
Individual bags can make it easier to hand out portions and identify different varieties, as long as you check each bag separately. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep the allergen information handy while handing out the snacks.
