Who is this choice for?

Shoppers who check allergens carefully

You start with the allergen that matters to you and also check for any warning about cross-contamination. Taste and nutritional value come afterwards.

Shoppers comparing calories

You want to compare kcal per 100 g and take into account the portion you eat, without skipping the checks for ingredients and allergens.

Shoppers considering plain crisps

A clear ingredient list can help you compare products. However, ‘plain’ doesn’t mean that crisps are suitable for your food allergy.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing crisps for someone with a food allergy, checking for the allergen and possible cross-contamination comes before comparing nutritional values. Use the same quantity for your comparison, then look at the portion size.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is it important for?
Allergens and cross-contamination Read the ingredients on the current packaging and check any warning about cross-contamination relating to your allergen. If I need to avoid a particular ingredient, I don’t want to rely on a flavour name or a calorie claim. For around 46% of shoppers, checking for their own allergen comes first.
Calories and fat Compare kcal per 100 g and check how many grams you have as a portion; look at the fat value separately. I want to know the difference for a comparable quantity rather than relying on ‘less fat’. For around 36% of shoppers, comparing nutritional values is the main focus once allergens have been checked.
Ingredients and product information Compare the ingredients for the specific flavour and make sure you can check the packaging before buying. For plain crisps, I look for an ingredient list that’s easy to check; with another flavour, I start again. For around 18% of shoppers, being able to check this information easily is the most important factor in their choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘less fat’ means suitable for your allergy

    A fat or calorie value won’t tell you whether crisps contain an allergen or carry a warning about possible cross-contamination.

    Check the ingredients and warnings on the bag first; then compare the nutritional values.

  • Treating an online product page as the definitive label

    Ingredients and allergy information can change. Albert Heijn recommends reading the packaging; for its food range, Lidl also directs shoppers to the packaging or customer services for this information.

    When ordering online, make sure you can check the current information for the specific product. When it arrives, read the packaging before eating the crisps.

  • Assuming crisps with the same name have the same nutritional values

    Jumbo lists Lay's Oven Baked Naturel at 428 kcal per 100 g, while a Joybuy product page with the same name shows 442 kcal per 100 g. The name alone is therefore not a reliable basis for an exact comparison.

    Use the nutritional information on the bag you actually buy, and check the corresponding ingredients too.

  • Assuming the allergens in one flavour apply to every flavour

    According to Pringles product information, Original contains wheat flour and may contain milk and soya. Paprika also lists milk ingredients.

    Check the full ingredient list and any warning about cross-contamination again for each flavour.

Brands to compare

Compare specific crisps and flavours, not just brand names: nutritional values and ingredients can vary from product to product.

Lay's

Oven-baked and light plain crisps have different nutritional values that you can compare.

  • Jumbo lists Lay's Oven Baked Naturel at 428 kcal per 100 g; Albert Heijn lists Lay's Light Naturel at 490 kcal per 100 g.
  • A description such as ‘light’ or ‘oven-baked’ doesn’t replace an allergen check. Compare the values on the packaging of the variant you choose.

Pringles

Original and Paprika show why you need to check the ingredients for each flavour.

  • Pringles product information lists the ingredients for Original and gives its nutritional value as 528 kcal per 100 g.
  • Original contains wheat flour and may contain milk and soya; Paprika lists wheat flour and milk ingredients, among others. This information applies to the flavours named, not the whole range.

Albert Heijn

The own-brand range offers product-specific information for anyone looking at lower-fat plain crisps.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet at 461 kcal per 100 g and 35% less fat than AH Ribbelchips naturel.
  • That comparison applies to this product and the stated reference product. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the current packaging.

Jumbo

At Jumbo, you can compare the information for a specific type of crisps with the label in store.

  • Jumbo says it lists allergens under the ingredients on its own-brand packaging.
  • For products that Jumbo packs in store, it says it cannot rule out possible cross-contamination. Check these products individually.

Lidl / Snack Day

Snack Day is Lidl’s crisps and snacks brand; the flavour and packaging you choose determine what information you need to check.

  • The range includes a variety of flavours, each requiring its own ingredient check.
  • Lidl doesn’t provide an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. Read the packaging or ask for specific product information before choosing.

Crisps at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do allergens have to be listed on a bag of crisps?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, 14 allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. Read the ingredients on the current bag and check for any warning about cross-contamination that’s relevant to you.

Are lower-fat crisps also lower in calories?

The description ‘less fat’ doesn’t automatically mean fewer calories. Compare the kcal per 100 g on the packaging, then consider your portion size. Albert Heijn lists AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet at 461 kcal per 100 g and Lay's Light Naturel at 490 kcal per 100 g; Jumbo lists Lay's Oven Baked Naturel at 428 kcal per 100 g.

Can I rely on online information alone if I have a food allergy?

No. Don’t use online information as a substitute for checking the current packaging. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. Check the ingredients and any warning about cross-contamination on the bag you buy.

Are plain crisps suitable for every food allergy?

No. ‘Plain’ doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for your allergy. Even if the ingredient list is short, you need to check for the allergen that matters to you and any warning about cross-contamination on the specific packaging.