Label checkers
For shoppers who want to compare fat content when adding a few items to their basket, and check product claims against the nutrition information.
Who is this guide for?
Quick snack shoppers
For shoppers choosing between popcorn that’s ready to eat and a microwave version that needs preparing at home.
Make-it-yourself snackers
For shoppers who want to buy popcorn kernels and decide how to prepare them and what to add. Remember to factor in oil and any toppings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the nutrition values on the same basis, then choose a preparation method and pack that suit your snack occasion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which shoppers look for this? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and nutrition information | Compare fat per 100 g on the current packaging, and check energy, sugars and salt too. | If I’m watching my fat intake, I want to compare the nutrition values for the exact variant I’m buying. Shoppers who put fat content first make up around 42% of consumers choosing popcorn. |
| Ready to eat or needs preparing | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, needs microwaving or is made from dried popcorn kernels; follow the instructions on the packaging. | If I want to enjoy my snack straight away, I need to know whether it still needs preparing at home. Shoppers who prioritise convenience make up around 33% of consumers choosing popcorn. |
| Quantity and packaging | Check the net weight and decide how much you want for this snack occasion; the pack size isn’t the same as a recommended portion. | If I only need a small top-up, I want to choose a pack that suits the amount I plan to use. Shoppers who prioritise quantity make up around 25% of consumers choosing popcorn. |
Pitfalls when choosing popcorn
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Treating a nutrition claim as a complete assessment
A claim tells you something about one aspect of a product’s composition; the other nutrition values and the amount you eat are separate considerations. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses nutrition claims and nutrition values as different types of information.
Read the nutrition information for the exact variant and compare products on the same weight basis.
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Assuming homemade means lower in fat
Preparing popcorn kernels yourself doesn’t automatically mean the finished snack will contain less fat. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses oil and also suggests variations with butter.
Assess the whole preparation method, including any oil and toppings you add.
Making it yourself also takes time and kitchen equipment, and may require ingredients such as oil or toppings.
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Treating the pack size as a portion recommendation
The pack sizes listed by Jumbo for salted, sweet and dried popcorn vary. The net weight doesn’t tell you how much to have in one sitting.
Decide how much you want first, then choose a pack that suits.
Relevant brands and supermarket own-labels
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn in a 2-pack.
- The product listings show different ways to enjoy popcorn.
- Albert Heijn advises shoppers to check the current packaging; the listing alone says nothing about lower fat content.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists 100 g of ready-to-eat salted popcorn, 175 g of sweet popcorn and 500 g of dried popcorn kernels.
- The product listings provide examples of different flavours, pack sizes and preparation methods.
- Differences in pack size aren’t portion recommendations and don’t establish a ranking for nutritional quality.
Lidl
Lidl’s Dutch product listing features sweet popcorn under the Snack Day label.
- This is an example of a sweet popcorn variant.
- The product listing doesn’t say that the whole range is lower in fat.
Aldi
Aldi lists 100 g of Sun Snacks salted popcorn.
- The product listing gives a specific pack size for salted popcorn.
- This doesn’t confirm that there’s a separate lower-fat product range.
Popcorn options at Joybuy
This selection includes ready-to-eat popcorn and a microwave version. Use the nutrition values per 100 g only for the variants listed, and check the current packaging when assessing a claim about lower fat.
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MUSHAN BASE Popcorn Sweet Salty Flavor 120 g
Ready-to-eat sweet and salty popcorn for when you want to take a snack with you without preparing anything at home.
Joybuy’s product information lists 29,6 g of fat per 100 g; the product name gives a pack size of 120 g.
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Pop Corn 3 × 100 g
A microwave version for when you want to prepare popcorn at home.
Joybuy’s product information lists 3 bags of 100 g and 23 g of fat per 100 g.
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Yousmai Pengranxindong Popcorn (Caramel) 120 g
Ready-to-eat caramel popcorn for anyone looking for a sweet option.
Joybuy’s product information lists 25 g of fat per 100 g and milk as an allergen; the product name gives a pack size of 120 g.
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SNACK MAZE Popcorn Cinema Butter 240 g
The product information describes this popcorn as a ready-to-eat snack.
The product name specifies cinema butter flavour and a pack size of 240 g.
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g'woon Salted Popcorn 100 g
The product name specifies salted popcorn; check the nutrition information for this variant if you’re watching your fat intake.
The product name gives a pack size of 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check other nutrition values as well as fat content?
Yes. Check energy, sugars and salt for the amount you plan to eat too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre covers these values in its information about popcorn; a nutrition claim doesn’t describe the product’s full composition.
Does making popcorn yourself automatically mean it’s lower in fat?
No. The preparation method and any additions count too. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses oil and suggests variations with butter. So assess the whole preparation method, not just the kernels.
How should I store dried popcorn kernels?
Jumbo advises storing its popcorn kernels in a cool, dark place. For other variants, follow the instructions on the packaging.
What should I do if the ingredients or allergens aren’t clear?
Check the current packaging and contact the retailer’s customer service team if you have any questions. Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging and notes that product information can change.
Does product information for online sales in the Netherlands have to be available in Dutch?
Yes. Business.gov.nl states that label information must be in Dutch and must also be available online. This information requirement doesn’t prove that a particular popcorn variant carries an authorised claim about lower fat.