Choose loose popping corn if you want to measure out the oil and seasonings yourself; opt for ready-to-eat popcorn or a microwave version if convenience matters more. Compare the nutritional information for the same product state, and check sugar, salt and portion size as well as fat. Under the European Commission’s rules, solid foods can only be labelled ‘low fat’ if they contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to European rules for nutrition claims.
You want to serve popcorn with its fat content in mind, without mistaking a flavour name for a nutrition claim. Check the exact packaging and whether the values apply to unpopped corn or prepared popcorn. The European Commission sets the conditions for nutrition claims.
You’re looking for popcorn that’s ready to serve, but you also want to check the sugar content and portion size. Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer examples of ready-to-eat sweet popcorn, each with its own nutritional values.
You have a suitable place to prepare popcorn and want to decide for yourself how much oil and seasoning to add. The Voedingscentrum recipe uses 50 g of popping corn and 1 teaspoon of oil. Compare the finished recipe, not just the values for the unpopped corn.
First decide how much preparation you’re happy to do, then compare the nutritional values, product state and portion size of the exact variant.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who this is for |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and claim | Compare fat per 100 g for the same product state. For solid foods, the European Commission’s ‘low fat’ claim limit is no more than 3 g per 100 g. | If I want to serve popcorn with less fat, I compare the values and check the exact claim. Around 36% of consumers put checking fat content first. |
| Preparation and ease of serving | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs a pan or microwave; follow the instructions on the exact packaging. | If I want to get popcorn on the table in time, I check what preparation and equipment are needed. Around 29% of consumers prioritise ease of serving. |
| Sugar and portion size | Compare sugar and energy per 100 g, and decide how many grams you’ll actually serve. | If I also want to keep track of sugar and how much I serve, I compare the nutritional values and portion sizes. Around 21% of consumers put these checks first. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the net weight, how many portions you need and the storage advice once the pack is open. | If I want to buy the right amount for the number of guests, I check the pack size and what I can store after the get-together. Around 14% of consumers put quantity and cost first. |
‘Sweet’ and ‘salted’ describe the flavour, not whether a product meets the conditions for a nutrition claim.
Check the nutrition table and the exact claim on the packaging. Use ‘low fat’ only when the product meets the relevant conditions.
AH Popcorn sweet lists 4 g of fat and 45 g of sugars per 100 g. Choosing based on fat alone overlooks other values and the amount served.
Read the full nutrition table and compare portions by weight.
Oil and seasonings may be added during preparation, so the nutritional values for the corn alone won’t reflect the whole recipe.
Take all the ingredients into account and compare the amount in the prepared dish.
A snack from a crisps range isn’t automatically popcorn. For example, the Smiths product Sticks Paprika is a potato and corn snack.
Check the product description and ingredients before comparing an item in this category.
The range includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, microwave popcorn and loose popping corn.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes ready-to-eat sweet popcorn and loose popping corn.
Lidl sells popcorn under its own Snack Day brand, including a sweet variety.
ALDI’s Sun Snacks range includes salted popcorn.
This selection includes cinema butter-flavoured popcorn and loose popping corn to prepare yourself. Compare the nutritional information for the exact variant; the values for unpopped corn don’t automatically apply to the prepared recipe.
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The product description suggests serving it at parties and sharing it.
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Ideal if you want to prepare loose popping corn yourself; the product description includes instructions for cooking it in a pan.
The description lists 5 g of fat per 100 g of corn. The instructions use 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil; that value applies to the corn, not the prepared recipe.
Solid foods must contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. This is the condition for the ‘low fat’ claim, not personal dietary advice. The European Commission sets out the conditions for this claim; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to European rules for nutrition claims.
No. Comparing nutrition tables alone doesn’t show that a commercial claim about reduced fat meets the relevant conditions. Check the full claim and the information for the exact product variant.
Follow the instructions for this specific variant: remove the plastic packaging and place the sealed pack face down in the microwave. The instructions specify 2–3 minutes at 800 Watt or 3–4 minutes at 600 Watt. Don’t use these timings for other products.
No. Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging too. AH Organic Popcorn Corn states that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; Jumbo Popcorn Sweet states that it may contain milk. If you’re following the Voedingscentrum recipe, also check the labels of the ingredients you use.
Albert Heijn advises storing this variant in a cool, dark and dry place and sealing the pack properly after use. For other variants, follow the storage advice on the packaging.
