Those looking to cut down on fat
You want to focus on eating less fat during your snack night, and check product values and claim requirements rather than relying on the word ‘popcorn’ alone.
Who is this buying guide for?
Portion-conscious snackers
You want to keep snacking, but base your choice on what actually ends up in your bowl. A general value for popcorn is no substitute for the label on your bag.
Convenience seekers
You want to keep preparation to a minimum and choose between a ready-to-serve bag and microwave popcorn, while keeping storage advice and preparation warnings in mind.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the nutrition information for the specific variety, then consider how it is prepared and how much you plan to serve. The consumers below are choosing popcorn for a snack night and want a lighter snack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claim | Compare fat per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. The NVWA explains that nutrition claims must comply with the relevant rules. | If cutting down on fat is my main reason for choosing, I want to check the value and claim for this specific variety. Around 36% of these consumers give fat content top priority. |
| Energy and portion size | Check kcal per 100 g and per portion. Voedingscentrum gives 154 kcal and 1.6 g of fat for a 40 g bowl of general popcorn; this is not product-specific information for a supermarket variety. | If I want to know how much I’m serving myself, I look at the amount in my bowl, not just the value per 100 g. Around 29% of these consumers prioritise energy and their own portion size. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether you need to prepare plain kernels, use a microwave bag or can serve the popcorn straight away. Follow the instructions and warnings on the packaging you choose. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum, I choose an option that suits my evening and check what preparation it needs. Around 21% of these consumers say convenience is the deciding factor. |
| Packaging for sharing | Check the net weight and whether the product contains plain kernels or ready-to-eat popcorn. Albert Heijn lists popcorn kernels in a 500 g pack; ALDI lists Sun Snacks Salted Popcorn in a 100 g pack. | If I’m buying for several people, I want to know how much is in the pack and whether I need to prepare the popcorn. Around 14% of these consumers prioritise pack size and sharing. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming popcorn is automatically low in fat
A product name or light, airy texture doesn’t show that a variety meets the requirements for the ‘low fat’ claim.
Check the nutrition information and assess the claim for the specific product. The NVWA states that nutrition claims must comply with the relevant rules.
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Looking only at total fat
Total fat and saturated fat are separate values on the label. Jumbo Microwave Popcorn Salt lists them separately.
Compare saturated fat and energy too, using the same weight basis each time.
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Assuming the values for dry kernels are the same as for prepared popcorn
The nutrition information for dry corn doesn’t automatically describe the bowl you serve. The preparation instructions for AH Organic Popcorn Kernels call for oil.
Take both the kernels and any ingredients added during preparation into account.
Popping it yourself takes preparation and may mean adding oil and flavourings.
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Using an old product page as current buying information
A product listing may still be available to view even if that particular variety is no longer in the range.
Check the current product variety and packaging before using product details to inform a purchase.
Brands for reference
Albert Heijn
The own-brand products reviewed include both dried organic popcorn kernels and ready-to-eat salted popcorn.
- Official product information lists ingredients, nutrition values and preparation instructions for specific products.
- This product information doesn’t prove that the own-brand range as a whole is low in fat. The preparation instructions for the popcorn kernels call for oil.
Jumbo
The products reviewed include plain popcorn kernels and microwave popcorn. Check the preparation method and recipe for each variety.
- Jumbo’s product information lists nutrition values and preparation warnings for its microwave variety.
- Jumbo Microwave Popcorn Salt lists 12.4 g of fat and 5.1 g of saturated fat per 100 g. This is product information for this variety, not evidence that it meets the low-fat claim.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day Sweet Popcorn as ready-to-eat popcorn.
- The product page lists a 200 g pack.
- The page states that it is sold in store. The range listing is not a nutritional recommendation or evidence that the product is low in fat.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists Sun Snacks Salted Popcorn as ready-to-eat popcorn.
- The product information confirms the product identity and a pack size of 100 g.
- The product listing alone doesn’t show that it has a reduced-fat or low-fat property.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
This selection includes popcorn kernels to prepare yourself, microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn. Check the nutrition information and preparation instructions for each variety; the product format alone doesn’t tell you whether it meets the ‘low fat’ claim.
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SNACK MAZE Popcorn Cinema Butter 240 g
The product name describes this variety as popcorn with cinema-style butter flavour. Check the label for the nutrition information for this specific variety.
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Valle Del Sole Butterfly Popcorn Kernels 900 g
These popcorn kernels are suitable for popping at home. Joybuy’s product information lists 5 g of fat per 100 g for the dry kernels. The preparation instructions call for 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, so this nutrition information doesn’t describe the prepared popcorn.
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Pop Corn 3 × 100 g
The product description says it can be prepared in the microwave. Joybuy’s product information lists 23 g of fat per 100 g; consider this value alongside the portion you eat.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Caramel Popcorn 120 g
This ready-to-eat caramel variety is made for snacking straight from the pack. Joybuy’s product information lists 25 g of fat per 100 g.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn 100 g
The product name describes salted popcorn in a 100 g pack. Joybuy’s product information lists 29.2 g of fat per 100 g; compare this value with other varieties on the same basis.
Frequently asked questions about lower-fat popcorn
When can popcorn be called ‘low fat’ in the Netherlands?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that nutrition claims must comply with the relevant rules.
Can I use Voedingscentrum’s general popcorn values for my supermarket bag?
No, not as product-specific information. Voedingscentrum gives 154 kcal and 1.6 g of fat per 40 g portion of general popcorn. For your purchase, use the nutrition information for the specific variety.
What warnings apply to Jumbo Microwave Popcorn Salt?
Follow the instructions on the packaging. Jumbo says children should not prepare the popcorn without adult supervision and that you should not restart preparation after an interruption. These instructions apply to this specific product; they are not a general requirement for all popcorn.
How should I store leftover ready-to-eat popcorn?
Albert Heijn recommends storing its salted popcorn in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack securely after use. Follow the storage instructions for other varieties.
Why don’t the nutrition values for dry popcorn kernels automatically apply to my portion?
Oil and flavourings may be added during preparation. The instructions for AH Organic Popcorn Kernels call for oil, so take both the kernels and anything you add yourself into account.