Label-conscious snackers looking for a lighter option
Your main aim is to limit fat, so you compare the nutritional information for the exact variety. Low fat doesn’t automatically mean low in sugar or energy.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Festival-goers without somewhere to prepare food
You want to take popcorn with you and eat it straight away. Pay attention to portion size and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Planners who want to control the recipe
You can pop your own corn before setting off and measure out the oil and flavourings. Allow extra time for preparation and check the ingredients’ allergen information.
What should you look for in popcorn for a festival?
First check the nutritional information for the exact variety, then choose a portion size and preparation method to suit your festival plans.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Check the grams of fat per 100 g on the packaging for the exact variety, and see what claim is made on the label. | If I’m using lower fat as my main selection criterion, I want to compare the nutritional information for that exact variety. In this scenario, around 36% of consumers prioritise fat content. |
| Nutritional information and portion size | Compare sugar, salt and energy per 100 g, and check the stated portion size too. | If I want to know what my whole portion adds up to, I look beyond fat alone. Around 29% of consumers prioritise overall nutritional information and their own portion size. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing, and read the storage instructions. | If I don’t want to arrange equipment or prepare food at the festival, I look for something I can eat straight away. Around 21% of consumers prioritise convenience in this situation. |
| Quantity and preparation | Check the net weight and stated portion size. If you’re popping it yourself, factor in the ingredients and preparation needed too. | If I’m buying for a group, I want to know how many portions the pack contains and what’s involved in preparing it myself. Around 14% of consumers prioritise quantity and planning their purchase. |
Common mistakes when choosing popcorn
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Assuming ‘less fat’ means ‘low fat’
A product can contain less fat than another and still exceed the limit for a ‘low fat’ claim. The European Commission sets the limit for solid foods at 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact variety. Also look at sugar, salt and energy if they matter to your choice.
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Counting a multi-portion bag as one portion
Albert Heijn lists a 25 g portion and eight portions per pack for AH Popcorn zoet 200 g. The whole bag is therefore not the stated portion.
Decide in advance how much you want to take or share, then compare the nutritional information for that amount.
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Comparing unpopped corn with ready-to-eat popcorn
Unpopped corn isn’t the finished snack; oil and flavourings change what you end up eating.
Assess the whole recipe, and allow for the extra preparation and ingredients involved in popping it yourself.
Popping it yourself takes time and may require oil and flavourings.
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Mistaking a mixed snack box for a specific variety of popcorn
The Croky party box described by Kruidvat contains Croky crisps and sweet popcorn, but doesn’t identify the popcorn as a specific Croky variety.
Check the name and nutritional information on the individual popcorn pack rather than those for a mixed box.
Popcorn brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The product ranges reviewed include ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as loose organic popping corn.
- Albert Heijn lists 4 g of fat and 45 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Popcorn zoet.
- AH Biologisch Popcorn mais is dried corn for popping at home. The packaging notes that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
Jumbo
The varieties reviewed include ready-to-eat sweet popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
- Jumbo lists 4.6 g of fat and 48.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Popcorn Zoet 175 g.
- According to the product information, Jumbo Popcorn Zoet may contain milk. The microwave variety needs to be prepared; follow the instructions and warnings on the packaging.
Lidl
Snack Day Popcorn zeezout 200 g is a ready-to-eat savoury variety in the Lidl product range reviewed.
- Lidl Netherlands’ product information lists the sea salt flavour and a pack size of 200 g.
- A sea salt flavour description doesn’t in itself tell you whether the popcorn meets the ‘low fat’ limit. Check the nutritional information on the packaging.
ALDI
SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn 100 g is a smaller-pack savoury variety in the ALDI product range reviewed.
- ALDI Netherlands’ product information lists the product name, flavour and pack size of 100 g.
- The pack size doesn’t determine your portion or tell you whether the product meets the ‘low fat’ limit. Check the nutritional information on the exact pack.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products includes ready-to-eat popcorn and corn for popping at home. If you’re looking for a low-fat product, check the nutritional information on the exact pack.
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Snack Maze Popcorn Cinema Butter, 240 g
For anyone looking for popcorn with a cinema butter flavour; the product name gives the pack size as 240 g.
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Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize (Butterfly), 900 g
For anyone who wants to pop their own popcorn at home; this is corn to prepare, not ready-to-eat popcorn.
The product description says to prepare it in a pan with vegetable oil.
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Mushan Base Popcorn Sweet Salty Flavor, 120 g
For anyone looking for a variety of popcorn that, according to the product description, can be eaten straight from the pack.
The stated nutritional information lists 29.6 g of fat per 100 g.
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Pop Corn, 3 x 100 g
For anyone who wants to make popcorn in the microwave rather than choosing a ready-to-eat variety.
The product description lists 23 g of fat per 100 g. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Popcorn (Caramel), 120 g
For anyone looking for ready-to-eat popcorn with a caramel flavour.
The product description lists 25 g of fat per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions about lower-fat popcorn
When can popcorn be labelled ‘low fat’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. Having less fat than another variety of popcorn isn’t enough on its own to meet this limit.
How should I store an opened bag of popcorn?
Follow the advice on the exact packaging. For the salted popcorn reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use.
Can I choose popcorn for someone with a food allergy based on the flavour alone?
No. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. According to the product information, Jumbo Popcorn Zoet may contain milk; AH Biologisch Popcorn mais lists cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat as possible allergens. If you’re buying popcorn sold on site, ask to see the relevant allergen information.
What should I look out for with microwave popcorn?
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. For the salted microwave popcorn reviewed, Jumbo warns that you shouldn’t restart cooking if it has been interrupted. Don’t use a general cooking time instead of following the instructions on the pack.
Can I compare unpopped corn directly with ready-to-eat popcorn?
Not without taking preparation into account: unpopped corn isn’t the finished snack. If you pop it yourself, include the oil and flavourings you use when assessing the prepared portion.