Consumers who prioritise fat content
You want to compare the fat content of the exact product and consider the portion size too. A flavour name or general popcorn figure doesn’t tell you what’s in a specific pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Travellers who want something to eat straight away
You’re looking for popcorn that doesn’t need preparing while you’re on the go. Ready-to-eat products fit the bill, but a listing for a shop at Schiphol doesn’t confirm that your chosen variety will be in stock on your departure day.
Consumers who prepare popcorn in advance
You can pop it at home and measure out the oil and seasoning yourself. For example, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre has a recipe using 50 g of popping corn and 1 teaspoon of oil; the nutritional values of the finished product depend on the ingredients and quantities used.
What should you look for when choosing?
Make your own
Best if: you can prepare it before setting off and want to measure out the additions yourself.
The trade-off: you’ll need to set aside time to pop and pack the popcorn; its nutritional values depend on your recipe.
Ready-to-eat
Best if: you want to eat popcorn straight away while travelling, without preparing it yourself.
The trade-off: you have less control over the recipe, so check the nutritional information for the exact product.
Compare nutritional information on the same basis: the European Union explains that it is given per 100 g or per 100 ml. Schiphol confirms there is an Albert Heijn supermarket and two to-go locations on Plaza, but that tells you nothing about the stock of a specific popcorn variety.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare the exact product per 100 g and on the same preparation basis; check what any nutrition claim refers to. | If I want less fat, I compare the nutritional information for the exact product and make sure it’s based on the same preparation method. Around 36% of consumers put fat content at the top of their list when choosing. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing, and whether the packaging suits your travel plans. | If I want a snack straight away during my journey, I don’t want to bring a product that still needs preparing at home. Around 29% of consumers prioritise being able to eat their snack straight away. |
| Portion size and ingredients | As well as fat, check energy, sugars and salt per 100 g; work out the values for the amount you’ll actually eat. | If I want to assess my whole snack, I look at my own portion as well as the values per 100 g. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the amount they eat at each snack occasion. |
| Planning your purchase | Check the net weight and decide whether to shop in advance or plan to buy something at Schiphol. | If I’m planning a snack around my departure, I want to know where I can buy it and whether I need to stock up in advance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise planning their purchase. |
Common mistakes
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Treating general popcorn figures as product specifications
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 1.6 g of fat for 40 g of plain popcorn and 10.8 g for 40 g of salted popcorn. These are examples for general categories, not measurements of individual supermarket products.
Check the label of the exact product you’re considering.
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Comparing figures per 100 g only
A figure per 100 g doesn’t tell you how much you’ll get from the portion you actually eat.
Work out the fat, energy, sugars and salt for the amount you plan to eat.
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Mistaking a mixed party box for a single popcorn variety
The Croky party box described by Kruidvat contains several types of crisps, sweet popcorn and accessories. The nutritional information for the box doesn’t give separate figures for the popcorn.
When comparing varieties, use the ingredients and nutritional information for the popcorn itself.
A mixed box may also contain crisps and accessories that aren’t part of what you originally wanted for your snack.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn product pages list both salted popcorn and popcorn kernels for home preparation. Schiphol confirms there is an Albert Heijn supermarket and two to-go locations on Plaza; this doesn’t confirm that a specific product is in stock.
- Products for eating straight away and for preparing yourself are listed.
- The product type and shop listing don’t prove a lower fat content or current availability.
Jumbo
Jumbo product pages list 100 g packs of salted popcorn and 500 g packs of popcorn kernels for home preparation.
- The listings distinguish between a snack product and an ingredient for preparing popcorn.
- The product name and packaging alone don’t show that a variety contains less fat.
Lidl
Lidl lists Snack Day sweet popcorn as a product range in its supermarket offering.
- The product listing makes the sweet variety easy to identify.
- The flavour name doesn’t prove a lower fat content or that it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
Aldi
ALDI Netherlands lists SUN SNACKS salted popcorn in a 100 g pack.
- The product name and net weight are clearly listed.
- The description ‘salted popcorn’ doesn’t tell you how much fat the specific product contains.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
This selection includes ready-to-eat popcorn products and popping corn. Use nutritional information only for the product and preparation basis it refers to; compare per 100 g and work out the values for your own portion.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong popcorn (Caramel), 120 g
The description presents this as a ready-to-eat snack for on the go.
Nutritional information: 25 g of fat and 35 g of sugars per 100 g.
The ingredients list includes milk.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter popcorn, 240 g
A good choice if you’re looking for popcorn with a cinema-style butter flavour.
Pack size: 240 g.
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g'woon salted popcorn, 100 g
The product title describes salted popcorn in a 100 g pack.
The nutritional information lists 29.2 g of fat per 100 g; salt is also listed.
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Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize (Butterfly), 900 g
These are popcorn kernels that need to be prepared before eating.
The preparation instructions call for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take plain popcorn in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Schiphol’s general guidance is that you can take items with you, except for dangerous or prohibited items. Plain popcorn falls under this general rule, but this isn’t a specific exemption for popcorn. Separate customs rules may apply when bringing it into your destination.
Can I shop at Albert Heijn at Schiphol?
Yes. Schiphol confirms there is an Albert Heijn supermarket and two to-go locations on Plaza. This shop information doesn’t guarantee that a particular popcorn variety will be available on your departure day.
How do I compare the nutritional information for popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat popcorn?
Only compare figures given on the same weight and preparation basis. The European Union explains that nutritional values are given per 100 g or per 100 ml, and that values for the prepared product may be provided if preparation is required. Follow the instructions and check what the table refers to.
Is all popcorn suitable for people with a food allergy?
No. It depends on the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the requirement to list 14 allergens, so check the product’s ingredients list and allergen information.
How should I store popcorn kernels?
Follow the storage and use instructions on the pack. Jumbo says that Jumbo Popcorn Maïs 500 g should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place; this advice applies to those dried kernels and not automatically to prepared popcorn.