For a regular nursery lunch, crisps aren’t an obvious choice: the Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends other lunch foods for childcare settings and points out that many snacks are high in salt or saturated fat. If you’re considering crisps as an occasional treat, first establish which substance a child needs to avoid, then check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination. A ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t replace these checks, and says nothing about whether the product fits the childcare setting’s food policy.
They need to assess whether the exact product is suitable for a child’s diet. That means checking not only the ingredients, but also the allergens highlighted on the packaging and any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
For them, the question is whether an occasional snack fits their food policy. A product that’s free from a particular allergen doesn’t automatically make it a suitable everyday lunch.
They can search the gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks categories at Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Each product still needs to be assessed individually, especially if another allergen besides gluten is relevant.
First decide whether you’re choosing something for a regular lunch or an occasional treat. If crisps are an option, check the packaging against the individual diet, then consider how easy it is to reorder the product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual allergen diet | Establish which substance needs to be avoided. Check the current packaging for ingredients, highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warning. | When I’m buying for a child with a documented allergen diet, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘gluten-free’ alone. Around 42% of consumers prioritise suitability for the specific allergen. |
| Role in the lunch | Decide whether this is an occasional treat or a regular part of lunch. Compare the nutritional information, including salt per 100 g and per portion served, with the childcare setting’s food policy. | For a regular lunch, I want an option that fits with what the childcare setting usually offers, not just something free from an allergen. Around 42% of consumers focus on how a product fits into an everyday lunch. |
| Reordering reliably | Check the exact product, flavour and label again with each new purchase. Use an online category to find products, not as a substitute for checking the packaging. | For repeat orders, I want to be able to confirm exactly which product is being served. Clear product information that can be checked each time is the main concern for around 16% of consumers. |
For a regular lunch, the Dutch Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread and vegetables among its suggestions for childcare settings. If gluten needs to be avoided but the snack doesn’t have to be crisps, other gluten-free savoury snacks could also be an option. However, a product’s category doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for other allergens or fits the food policy.
Gluten-free crisps may still contain another relevant allergen or carry a warning about possible cross-contamination. For example, Jumbo says that Schär Curvies Paprika Glutenvrij may contain milk.
Record which substance the child needs to avoid and assess the exact product using its current packaging, rather than relying on the brand name or product category alone.
A claim about fat doesn’t answer questions about allergens, salt or whether crisps are suitable as a lunch food. For example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's Naturel as containing 1.1 g of salt per 100 g. Consider this in the context of the portion served and the food policy.
Read the nutritional information and decide whether the product is intended as an occasional treat, or whether a regular lunch option would be a better fit for the childcare setting’s policy.
Pringles says that recipes can change. This means information you read before a previous purchase may not apply to the next pack.
Check the label on each new delivery, including the exact flavour, especially when a child needs to avoid a specific allergen.
A reference point for regular potato crisps and varieties with nutritional claims, but not an indication of suitability for a particular allergen diet.
Stacked crisps available in different flavours and sizes. Each variety needs to be assessed individually.
A retailer with an online category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks, which can help you find possible options.
A retailer with a gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks category, as well as product-specific information for certain items.
Snack Day is Lidl’s crisps and snacks range. Always assess the specific variety you choose for the childcare setting.
No. ‘Gluten-free’ refers to gluten and doesn’t rule out other relevant allergens. For example, Jumbo says that Schär Curvies Paprika Glutenvrij may contain milk. Check the label in light of the individual child’s diet.
Crisps aren’t an obvious replacement for a regular lunch. The Dutch Nutrition Centre discusses other lunch options for childcare settings and points out that many snacks are high in salt or saturated fat. Assess any occasional treat separately, in line with the childcare setting’s food policy.
Check the ingredients list for clearly highlighted allergens, and read any warnings about possible cross-contamination too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that mandatory labelling covers 14 allergens. Which of these are relevant to a child depends on their documented diet.
No. Check the pack you receive again when you reorder. Recipes can change, as Pringles itself points out. Before serving the product, compare the exact variety with the child’s diet and your previous assessment.
Not using a general online ingredients list for Lidl food products: Lidl says that no such list is available. Check the packaging for the exact product or request the information you need before assessing its suitability for a child’s diet.
