People avoiding gluten
If you need to avoid gluten, a familiar flavour or brand name isn’t enough to help you choose a new bag of crisps. Look for a gluten-free label, and check the ingredients and any warnings on the pack you’re buying.
Who is this relevant to?
People avoiding milk or lactose, or following a vegan diet
Gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan answer different questions. Check the ingredients and allergens listed for each variety, and make sure any plant-based label applies to the pack you’re considering.
People comparing lunch snacks
If you don’t need to avoid any ingredients strictly, you can compare crisps for a work break by their nutritional content and portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing products on the same basis: per 100 g.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the ingredients you need to avoid. Then compare flavour, packaging and nutritional content. A gluten-free label, for example, doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product contains milk or soya.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and any warnings on the current pack. | If I strictly avoid gluten, I want to know what this particular variety says before lunch. Around 36% of consumers put this check first. |
| Milk, lactose or vegan suitability | Read the ingredients and allergen information; check any lactose-free or vegan label separately. | If I want a lunch without milk ingredients or a plant-based option, the word gluten-free on its own isn’t enough. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Multiple allergens | Compare your list of ingredients to avoid with the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ information. | If I need to avoid several allergens at once, one suitable label won’t account for other ingredients. This combination is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Nutritional content and portion size | Compare energy, fat and salt per 100 g, then check the portion size. | If the ingredients are suitable for me, I want to work out how many crisps I’ll have with lunch. Around 14% of consumers give this consideration the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
A gluten-free snack may contain other allergens or mention possible traces of them. For example, Jumbo lists possible traces of milk for Schär Curvies Paprika; Schär Salinis contains soya and may contain sesame.
Use your own list of ingredients to avoid, and check the full allergen information on the packaging for every product you’re considering.
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Assuming every flavour from a brand is the same
Ingredients vary between product varieties. The Pringles Original multipack described by Joybuy contains wheat and gluten; that doesn’t tell you anything about every other Pringles flavour or pack.
When you next buy crisps, check the exact product name, flavour, pack size and label again.
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Relying on an online shop filter as your final check
A filter can help you find options, but it won’t tell you everything about the bag you receive. The range can also change temporarily.
After using a filter, read the information for your chosen variety and check the packaging before eating it.
If your usual variety is unavailable, comparing an alternative takes extra time.
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Confusing free-from with a nutritional rating
A label such as vegan or gluten-free doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much energy, fat or salt is in a portion of crisps.
First check that the product suits your dietary requirements. Then compare the nutrition information per 100 g and consider how much you want to eat.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lay's
Lay's has several crisp ranges and pack types. Start by choosing the variety you want to check, then read the label on that particular bag.
- A range of flavours and pack formats gives you options for a work break.
- The brand name is not a free-from label. Lay's says allergen warnings on packaging can change.
Pringles
Pringles offers stackable crisps in a tube, with a choice of flavours. The packaging may influence your choice, but you’ll need to check the ingredients for each variety.
- The tube and choice of flavours can be practical for a work break.
- The Pringles Original multipack described by Joybuy contains wheat and gluten. Don’t automatically assume other varieties are the same or free from allergens.
Albert Heijn
The online category for gluten-free crisps and dietary filters can help you shortlist options while doing your shopping.
- Filters offer a starting point for comparing individual products.
- Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information can change, and advises customers to read the packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo has an online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks. Check that any product you find is actually crisps and suits your dietary requirements.
- The category brings together different types of gluten-free snacks for you to explore.
- Products in the same category don’t all have the same allergen profile: Jumbo lists possible traces of milk for Schär Curvies Paprika and soya in Schär Salinis.
Lidl
As well as its regular range, Lidl may offer additional gluten-free products for a limited time. Check the current product before counting on it for your lunch.
- A limited-time offer could give you another product to check the label on.
- Lidl describes its additional gluten-free range as temporary. A previous range page doesn’t guarantee that a particular crisp will be available.
Crisps and snacks on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are vegetable, plantain and cassava crisps for a lunch break. The product name tells you the type, flavour and pack size, but it doesn’t confirm that a variety suits your allergen or dietary requirements. Check the current packaging for that.
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Okra crisps 25 g
A 25 g pack if you’re looking for crisps for a short work break. Before choosing this variety to suit your dietary requirements, check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging.
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TG Salted Plantain Chips 85 g
Salted plantain crisps in an 85 g pack if you fancy this flavour with lunch. Don’t assume they’re gluten-free or vegan based on the product type; check the current packaging first.
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7FRESH Original Cut Taro Chips, sea salt, 50 g
Taro crisps with a sea salt flavour in a 50 g pack for a work break. If you avoid gluten or other allergens, check the ingredients and warnings for this exact variety.
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Mirasa Cassave Chips Chilli 250 g
Cassava crisps with a chilli flavour in a 250 g pack if you’re looking for something spicy for a work break. For a choice that meets your dietary requirements, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are gluten-free crisps also free from milk, soya and sesame?
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t cover all other allergens. For Schär Curvies Paprika, Jumbo lists possible traces of milk; Schär Salinis contains soya and may contain sesame. Check the full allergen information for the variety you want to buy.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on a bag of crisps?
It’s a warning about possible accidental contact with the named allergen, not a statement that it’s an ingredient. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes rules that have applied since 1 January 2026 on how and when these warnings are used on labels in the Netherlands. Check the warning for the allergen you need to avoid.
Does allergen information have to be shown on pre-packed crisps?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. For crisps, read the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the exact pack, and check separately for any cross-contamination warnings.
How can I compare crisps if nutritional content matters too?
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g, so different packs are measured on the same basis. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this approach. Then consider the portion size that suits your lunch. A free-from label doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much energy, fat or salt a product contains.
Can I rely on a label I’ve read before?
Check the current packaging again each time you buy. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and dietary or allergen information can change. This is especially important if you need to avoid a particular flavour or ingredient.