Parents of babies under 1 year old
If you're looking for a first food, your baby's needs matter more than the price of a bag of crisps. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies in this age group food with added salt.
Who is this relevant to?
Families who also buy crisps for adults
You can compare paprika crisps as a separate snack without considering them baby food. When you buy them, check the current ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Regular paprika crisps
When: As a separate snack for adults, not as food for a baby under 1 year old.
Consider: A lower price or less salt than in another bag doesn't change the fact that the crisps themselves contain added salt.
Soft first foods
When: If you're looking for food for a baby who is starting to explore solid foods.
Consider: A purée isn't finger food. Choose a texture that suits your child and gradually introduce lumpier foods.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added salt | Read the ingredients list, not just the nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving food with added salt to babies aged 4 months to 1 year. | I want to make sure my baby doesn't have added salt in their first foods. Around 42% of consumers put this salt requirement first. |
| Texture and supervision | Check that the food is suitable for what your child can already eat, and stay with them while they eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises gradually introducing lumpier textures. | My baby is still learning what solid food feels like, so their food needs to suit this stage. For around 33% of consumers, getting the texture right is the main concern. |
| Affordable alternative | First, narrow down the options to foods with no added salt that are suitable for your child. Then compare pack sizes and how much you will actually use. | I want to keep an eye on the shopping budget, but not by choosing crisps as baby food. Around 25% of consumers prioritise finding an affordable, suitable alternative. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a cheaper own-brand product is suitable for babies
A lower price tells you nothing about added salt. For a baby aged 4 months to 1 year, this is a more important first check than the brand or pack size, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
First rule out products with added salt as baby food. Only then compare options that suit your child's age and eating skills.
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Confusing less salt with no added salt
Jumbo's product listings show 0.65 g of salt per 100 g for Lay's Paprika and 1.20 g for Jumbo Paprika Chips; Albert Heijn lists 1.3 g for AH BASIC Chips paprika. All three ingredient lists include salt.
Use differences like these only to compare snacks for adults. For food for a baby, check whether salt has been added as an ingredient.
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Relying only on an online product description
Albert Heijn notes that product information can change. This means an earlier ingredients or allergen listing may not match the packaging you buy.
Check the packaging again, especially if you need to avoid an allergen or are choosing a product for your baby.
Brands compared
Lay's
Jumbo's product listing describes Lay's Paprika as a potato crisp with paprika flavour.
- Jumbo lists 0.65 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- The seasoning contains salt. Having less salt than the AH BASIC and Jumbo crisps mentioned here doesn't make this product suitable for a baby under 1 year old.
AH BASIC
Albert Heijn's product listing describes AH BASIC Chips paprika as a 200 g own-brand product.
- The listing makes it possible to compare pack size and nutritional information.
- Albert Heijn lists salt as an ingredient, 1.3 g of salt per 100 g, and milk/lactose as allergens. Check the packaging again when you buy it.
Jumbo
Jumbo's product listing describes Jumbo Paprika Chips as a 250 g own-brand product.
- Jumbo lists 1.20 g of salt per 100 g for this product.
- The ingredients list includes salt and the allergen information includes milk. This particular product is therefore not suitable for babies in the age group mentioned.
Snack Day
Snack Day is a Lidl snack brand; the product listing describes 250 g of paprika-flavoured potato crisps.
- The listing makes clear what type of snack it is and how large the pack is.
- Before comparing this product with other crisps, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.
Soft first foods at Joybuy
These soft vegetable or fruit foods are worth considering if you're looking for something for your baby instead of paprika crisps. Purées aren't finger foods: choose an age range and texture based on the packaging and what your child can already eat.
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Olvarit cauliflower purée 4M+ 125 g
For anyone looking for a soft vegetable food instead of crisps. The product name states 4M+ and 125 g; this purée isn't finger food.
Check the ingredients and instructions on the packaging before serving. According to the product description, the purée should be kept chilled after opening and used within 48 hours.
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Organix Bio Pear & Raspberry 6+ Months Squeezies 100 g
For anyone looking for a soft fruit food; the product name states 6+ Months and 100 g. A pouch doesn't replace gradually introducing lumpier textures.
Check the ingredients and instructions on the packaging. According to the product description, the contents should be kept chilled after opening and used within one day.
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Olvarit 4 months 75 carrots
For anyone considering a soft carrot food instead of crisps. Before giving it to your baby, check the minimum age, ingredients and texture stated on the packaging.
This is a purée, not finger food; serve it in a way that suits what your child can already eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give paprika crisps to a baby who is following a baby-led weaning approach?
Don't give regular paprika crisps with added salt as food to a baby aged 4 months to 1 year. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving food with added salt to babies in this age group, and the ingredient lists for the AH BASIC, Jumbo and Lay's products mentioned include salt.
Are crisps with less salt, or oven-baked crisps, suitable?
Not necessarily: having less salt than other crisps doesn't tell you whether salt has been added. For a baby under 1 year old, check the current ingredients list; the cooking method doesn't answer that question either.
What can I offer as a first vegetable food?
Vegetables are among the first foods recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Start with a texture your child can manage, gradually make it lumpier as they progress, and stay with them while they eat. Choose a food with no added salt.
Should I check allergens in packaged snacks?
Yes, check the current allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods; the AH BASIC and Jumbo paprika crisps mentioned list milk.