Who is this choice relevant to?

If you’re looking for organic and gluten-free

You want the same variety of crisps to be organic and explicitly labelled gluten-free. Check both details on the exact packaging, along with the ingredients and allergen information.

If you avoid specific allergens

You might be looking out for gluten, milk, soya or mustard, for example. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information should be clearly shown on the label. Also check any warning about cross-contamination with the allergen you avoid.

If you choose organic crisps by their ingredients

You’re mainly looking for an organic snack whose ingredients you can assess, without a specific free-from claim being your top priority. If you like, compare the nutritional information, salt content and portion size separately too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Decide which requirement matters most to you, then check the other details on the same packaging. An organic label is no substitute for checking allergens.

What to look for What to check Who it matters most to
Gluten and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. If you need gluten-free crisps, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check any cross-contamination warnings. If I need to avoid gluten or another specific allergen, knowing that crisps are made from potatoes isn’t enough. For around 36% of consumers, avoiding gluten or their main allergen comes first.
Organic label Check the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin statement on the packaging. I want to see that the crisps are labelled organic, not just that the packaging gives a natural impression. For around 29% of consumers, the organic requirement comes first.
Other dietary requirements Check whether each variety is labelled vegan or lactose-free. If you have a milk allergy, check the allergen information separately. If you want to avoid animal-derived ingredients or lactose, you need a claim that matches your specific requirement. For around 21% of consumers, an additional dietary requirement is the main consideration.
Ingredients and portion Compare the ingredients, nutritional information and salt content per 100 g, as well as the portion size. If I don’t have a specific ingredient to avoid, I mainly want to know what’s in the crisps and how much I’m eating. Around 14% of consumers put ingredients and snack preference first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming potato crisps are automatically gluten-free

    Potato crisps can also contain cereal flour. Pringles lists wheat flour as an ingredient in Pringles Original, so this variety isn’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten.

    Read the ingredients for the exact flavour. If you need gluten-free crisps, check that the variety is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

  • Confusing organic with allergen-free

    The EU organic logo relates to organic certification; it doesn’t mean that gluten, milk or other allergens are absent. A bag of organic crisps may also carry a warning about possible cross-contamination.

    Check the organic label, then read the ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings on the packaging.

  • Assuming a brand claim applies to every flavour

    Trafo describes its products as organic, but qualifies its gluten-free and lactose-free claims with ‘where possible’. Albert Heijn also warns that product information can change.

    Use brand information to find options, then check the current packaging for your chosen flavour and pack size before relying on a free-from claim.

  • Assuming a product page confirms availability

    A product page may remain online even when an item is unavailable. Joybuy notes this, for example, for Leev Biologisch Yes Peas Paprika.

    Check current availability when you order. Then check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you receive.

Brands to consider as a starting point

Albert Heijn / AH Biologisch

The product page for AH Biologisch Chips naturel 125 g is a useful starting point if you’re looking for both an organic label and specific free-from features.

  • For this plain variety, Albert Heijn lists the EU organic logo, Skal 001920, NL-BIO-01 and the features organic, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • These features don’t automatically apply to other varieties. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product, ingredient and allergy information can change.

Trafo

A starting point if you’d like to explore different types of organic crisps and snacks.

  • Trafo says it makes only organic, Skal-certified products and uses organic oils.
  • Trafo says its products are gluten-free and lactose-free only ‘where possible’. Check these details for each product and flavour.

Jumbo

A place to look for both gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks, and an organic plain crisps variety.

  • Jumbo has a category for gluten-free crisps and savoury snacks, as well as a separate product page for Jumbo Biologische Naturel Chips 125 g.
  • The separate category doesn’t prove that this organic plain variety is also gluten-free. Check the ingredients, allergens and any claim on the packaging for that variety.

Lidl

An option if you’d like to explore organic vegetable crisps. Vegetable crisps aren’t the same product as potato crisps.

  • Lidl lists 100 g Organic Vegetable Crisps, cooked in sunflower oil.
  • If you have a specific free-from requirement, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

Pringles

Pringles Original shows why the product type or flavour name is no substitute for reading the ingredients.

  • Pringles lists the ingredients for Original by variety.
  • According to the ingredients list, Pringles Original contains wheat flour. Don’t assume the same applies to every other flavour or market variant.

Crisps on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does organic also mean gluten-free or allergen-free?

No. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo relates to organic certification; it doesn’t mean that allergens are absent. If you’re looking for gluten-free crisps, check the claim, ingredients and allergen information on the exact bag.

Where can I find allergen information on a bag of crisps?

For pre-packed crisps, the ingredients and allergens are listed on the label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly distinguishable in the ingredients list. Read the whole list, even for a plain variety.

What does ‘May contain mustard’ mean on the label?

This warns of possible cross-contamination with mustard; it doesn’t mean mustard is a listed ingredient. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes these warnings as additional allergen information. Take the warning into account if mustard is the allergen you avoid.

Does vegan mean the same as lactose-free or suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

No. Vegan, lactose-free and listing milk as an allergen address different questions. If you need to avoid milk, always check the allergen information for the specific variety of crisps, even if it’s labelled vegan or lactose-free.

How should I store an opened bag of crisps?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Biologisch Chips naturel in a cool, dark and dry place and using a sealed container once opened. For other varieties, check the label.