Snackers who need to avoid gluten
The ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings are crucial for you. A potato base or an online search filter is no substitute for checking the packaging of the product you choose.
Who should bear these points in mind?
Snackers avoiding milk, soya or multiple allergens
Check the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya for Smiths Nibb-it Rings; the ingredients in one type of crisps tell you nothing about another.
Snackers comparing nutritional values
You want crisps for a late-night snack and may compare fat and salt per 100 g or per portion. This is separate from whether a particular variety is suitable for someone with an allergy.
What should you check when choosing?
Start with the ingredients and allergens you need to avoid. Then compare the flavours, packaging and nutritional values of the varieties that are suitable for you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and cross-contamination | Check the ingredients for gluten-containing cereals and look for any cross-contamination warning on the packaging of the exact product. | If I need to avoid gluten, I want to know before snacking whether the flavour I have chosen lists wheat or a relevant warning. For around 42% of consumers, checking for gluten comes first. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for each flavour and size, even if you already know the brand. | If I need to avoid milk or soya, I don't want to rely on the name or shape of the crisps. Around 33% of consumers prioritise checking for other allergens. |
| Fat and salt | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, if you keep an eye on portions, per portion. Check allergen information separately. | If my dietary preferences are the main priority, I want to compare the fat or salt content of different varieties. For around 25% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a potato or corn base means a product is allergen-free
The base of the crisps doesn't tell you what other ingredients a particular variety contains. For example, Pringles Netherlands lists wheat flour in Pringles Original.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen flavour, and check for any warnings on the packaging.
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Relying on an online gluten-free filter as your final check
A filter can help you search, but product information may change. That's why Albert Heijn recommends checking the product packaging.
Check the label on the exact product before deciding whether it meets your requirements.
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Confusing lower fat with being allergen-free
According to Lay's product information, Oven Baked Natural contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. This comparison is about fat, not gluten or other allergens.
Use the nutritional information to compare fat and salt, and check the ingredients and allergen information separately.
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Relying only on information available in advance at Lidl
Lidl refers customers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products.
Read the label in store. If you need information about a specific variety before visiting, ask Lidl about the product and provide its barcode.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lay's
Compare classic plain crisps with oven-baked plain crisps.
- For Lay's Naturel 200 g, Albert Heijn lists potatoes, vegetable oils, salt and antioxidants as ingredients.
- A short ingredients list doesn't prove that a variety is suitable for everyone with an allergy; check the packaging for any warnings, too.
Pringles
Shaped crisps with ingredients that differ from those of regular potato crisps.
- For Original, Pringles Netherlands lists dehydrated potatoes, cornflour, wheat flour and rice flour, among other ingredients.
- Because it contains wheat flour, Pringles Original is not suitable if you need to avoid gluten. Check the current packaging if you need to avoid milk or soya, too.
Smiths
An example of why allergen information matters for each snack variety.
- Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in the allergen information for Smiths Nibb-it Rings.
- This variety isn't suitable if you need to avoid milk or soya; check the packaging of other flavours individually.
Albert Heijn
A retailer where you can search online for gluten-free crisps and view product information for individual items.
- A dedicated category for gluten-free crisps can help you find potential options.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information may change.
Jumbo
A retailer with general information about allergens on packaging.
- Jumbo refers customers to the product packaging for ingredients that can cause allergic reactions.
- Jumbo says cross-contamination cannot be ruled out for products packed in store.
Lidl
A retailer where checking the packaging in store is important.
- Lidl says food ingredients are listed on the packaging.
- Lidl doesn't provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for its food products.
Crisps on Joybuy
This selection includes vegetable crisps, sweet potato crisps, cassava crisps and oven-baked potato crisps for a late-night snack. If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, only choose a variety after checking the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Broccoli Crisps 20 g
A broccoli crisp variety for anyone who wants to compare different types of crisps for a late-night snack. If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, check the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging.
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Okra Crisps 25 g
An okra crisp variety for a late-night snack. If you need to avoid particular ingredients, read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check for any warnings on the packaging.
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Lay's Oven Baked Natural 150 g
For anyone who wants to compare oven-baked potato crisps with regular crisps. According to Lay's product information, this oven-baked variety contains 50% less fat than regular potato crisps. Check the current packaging separately for allergens and any warnings.
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BE&CHEERY Sweet Potato Crisps Original Flavor 70 g
For anyone considering sweet potato crisps as an alternative to regular potato crisps. The product information lists sweet potato and palm oil; check the current packaging to see whether this variety meets your requirements.
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Mirasa Cassava Chips Chilli 250 g
For anyone looking for chilli-flavoured cassava crisps. Before choosing this variety, check the full ingredients list and any allergen warnings on the packaging if you need to avoid particular ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Are potato crisps automatically gluten-free or allergen-free?
No. The base ingredient doesn't tell you enough about the full recipe. Pringles Netherlands lists wheat flour in Pringles Original, while Albert Heijn lists milk and soya for Smiths Nibb-it Rings. Always check the information for the exact variety.
What should I do if the packaging says the crisps may contain milk?
Take that warning into account if you need to avoid milk; don't ignore it just because milk isn't listed among the main ingredients. Check the full allergen information on the packaging to decide whether the variety meets your requirements.
Can I rely solely on online allergen information from Lidl?
No. Lidl refers customers to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products, and doesn't provide an online list. Read the label for the exact variety or contact Lidl in advance with the product's barcode.