Organic Tortilla Chips for Late-Night Snacking

Who are these choices relevant to?

Certification-conscious evening snackers

You want to check whether the tortilla chips are organically certified, so you look for the EU organic logo and the information on the packaging.

Label comparers

You want to compare ingredients and nutritional values, including salt and fat, per 100 g before choosing a bag for the evening.

Dippers and nacho makers

You’re looking for plain chips to serve with salsa, guacamole or nachos, and want to make sure the bag size suits the number of people eating.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the organic labelling on the bag. Then compare the nutritional information for similar chips, and only then choose the flavour and size to suit your snacking occasion.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Organic certification	Check the EU organic logo, the control body code and the origin statement on the packaging.	I don’t want to rely on the word ‘natural’ alone when choosing organic chips. For around 36% of consumers, verifiable certification comes first.
Nutritional value and bag size	Compare similar varieties per 100 g for energy, fat and salt, among other things; also check the bag size.	When I snack late in the evening, I want to know how the chips compare nutritionally and how much I’m opening. Around 29% of consumers give this top priority.
Ingredients and allergens	Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces.	I need to be able to check whether this particular variety meets my ingredient or allergen requirements. For around 21% of consumers, this is their main concern.
Flavour and how you’ll serve them	Choose between plain and flavoured varieties, and match the bag size to whether you’ll be snacking, dipping or sharing.	When I’m serving a dip, I want the flavour of the chips to complement what I’m serving with them; bag size matters too if I’m sharing a bowl. Around 14% of consumers put flavour and how they’ll use the chips first.

Common mistakes

Assuming organic means a particular nutritional value

Organic certification relates to how a product is made. It doesn’t tell you how much energy, fat or salt a tortilla chip contains.

Use the certification to guide your choice of organic products, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing labels on this basis.
Comparing plain and chilli varieties on flavour alone

According to Ekoplaza’s product listings, Trafo plain tortilla chips contain 0.8 g of salt per 100 g, while the chilli variety contains 1.3 g per 100 g. So choosing between these varieties also means choosing between different salt levels.

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact varieties before making your choice.
Assuming the corn base tells you everything about allergens

The main ingredients don’t tell you everything about possible traces. For the Amaizin plain variety it lists, Ekoplaza warns that the product may contain soya.

Check the ingredients, allergen information and trace warnings on the packaging of the bag you’re buying.
Assuming an old product listing is still a current option

Albert Heijn still displays information about AH Biologisch plain tortilla chips, but the product page also says that the product is no longer in its range.

Check the product status with the retailer before relying on an older listing.

Brands to consider

Amaizin

The 250 g organic plain tortilla chips are worth considering if you’re looking for chips to serve with dips, make nachos or share.

Amaizin says its 250 g variety is made with organic, GMO-free corn, organic high-oleic sunflower oil and sea salt.
For the 250 g variety it lists, Ekoplaza states that it contains 0.8 g of salt per 100 g and may contain soya. Check the current packaging.

Trafo

The Trafo tortilla chips reviewed include plain and chilli varieties, both in 200 g bags.

Ekoplaza presents Trafo as a brand offering organic products certified by Skal.
Ekoplaza lists 0.8 g of salt per 100 g for the plain variety reviewed and 1.3 g per 100 g for the chilli variety. Don’t assume the flavoured varieties are nutritionally equivalent.

AH Biologisch

The 125 g plain tortilla chips offer product information you can compare with that for larger bags of organic chips.

For this variety, Albert Heijn lists maize flour, sunflower oil and sea salt as ingredients, along with 0.8 g of salt per 100 g.
Albert Heijn marks the product as ‘Discontinued’. It’s therefore no longer a current buying option.

Tortilla chips at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify organically certified tortilla chips?

Look for the EU organic logo and the accompanying control and origin information on the packaging, rather than relying on words such as ‘natural’. According to Skal Biocontrole, the EU organic logo is mandatory for pre-packed organic food produced in the EU and sold as organic.

Does organic certification tell me anything about the nutritional value of chips?

No. Organic labelling describes how a product is made; it isn’t an assessment of its nutritional value. For a late-night snack, compare similar tortilla chips per 100 g for energy, fat and salt, among other things, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises when comparing labels.

Are organic tortilla chips always gluten-free or free from allergens?

No, you need to check these details for each specific variety. The Amaizin plain variety reviewed is described as gluten-free, but Ekoplaza also states that it may contain soya. So check the current ingredients and allergen information on the bag.