Who is this choice relevant to?

A desk lunch with no preparation

You’re looking for popcorn you can eat straight away during a short break, and want to plan your portion in advance. Jumbo and Albert Heijn stock both ready-to-eat popcorn and products that need to be prepared first.

A household using up its supplies

You’re buying for several snack occasions and want the pack size to match what you’ll actually use. The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between storage advice for an unopened pack and guidance for storing food after opening.

A mindful portion chooser

You want to check sugars, salt and allergens rather than relying on the flavour name alone. Compare the information on the packaging of the specific variety you’re considering. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels.

What should you look for when buying?

Product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn shows that ready-to-eat popcorn, microwave popcorn and kernels for popping yourself involve different preparation methods. So use the product type as your first filter, then compare the portion and ingredients to find what suits the way you’ll use it.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Preparation during your break Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat, needs a microwave or has to be prepared at home. For a short desk lunch, I want to eat straight away without preparing popcorn first. Around 31% of consumers put convenience first when deciding what to buy.
Value for the amount you eat Compare pack sizes within the same product type, then work out the cost for the portion you’ll actually have. If I buy a multipack, I want to use it up during my planned snack occasions. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the cost of the amount they’ll actually use.
Ingredients and portion size Read the nutrition information per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the packaging of the exact variety. I want to choose a flavour and portion that suit my preferences, and check for allergens where necessary. Around 25% of consumers put ingredients first when deciding what to buy.
Stock and storage Check the pack size, best-before date and storage instructions, including guidance for after opening. I match a larger purchase to my planned snack occasions and the storage advice. Around 13% of consumers prioritise managing their supplies.

Common buying mistakes

  • Treating a multipack as a full lunch

    Popcorn is a snack, so it doesn’t need to make up your whole lunch. The Voedingscentrum also suggests sandwiches, wraps and salads as lunch options.

    Plan your lunch first, then decide whether you want popcorn with it and how much to have.

  • Comparing the price per kilo of dry kernels directly with ready-made popcorn

    Dry kernels still need to be prepared. Factor in the preparation and any oil or flavourings when comparing the cost of the finished snack.

    First compare products of the same type. If you’re popping your own, include the cost of any extras you’ll need.

    Popping your own also takes preparation, and may require oil or flavourings.

  • Relying on the date on a large bag after opening it

    According to the Voedingscentrum, the best-before date applies to unopened packaging. Once opened, follow the storage advice for that product.

    Choose a pack size to suit your planned snack occasions, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging after opening.

  • Assuming a product is popcorn because of its name on the shelf

    Croky’s product range includes crisps, tortilla chips and Pop'd potatoes, among other things. The word ‘pop’ in a product name doesn’t, by itself, prove that it’s made from popped corn.

    Check the product description and ingredients of the specific item.

Relevant brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The range includes ready-to-eat popcorn, microwave popcorn and organic popcorn kernels.

  • Albert Heijn lists corn as the ingredient in its organic popcorn kernels.
  • Organic doesn’t guarantee that a product is suitable for someone with an allergy; check the ingredients and warnings.

Jumbo

The own-brand range includes ready-to-eat bags and microwave products. Ingredients and preparation methods vary between varieties.

  • Product information for the varieties reviewed includes nutrition details.
  • Check the information and preparation instructions for the variety you’re buying.

Lidl

The Snack Day brand page lists sweet and salted popcorn.

  • The brand page confirms both flavour varieties.
  • Check the packaging for the pack size, ingredients and nutrition information of the specific variety.

Aldi

The Dutch product page lists SUN SNACKS Salted popcorn.

  • The product page lists a pack size of 100 g.
  • Check the current packaging for the product information that matters to your choice.

Popcorn products at Joybuy

This selection focuses on multipacks of microwave popcorn for several snack occasions.

Pop Corn microwave popcorn, 3 x 100 g

Pop Corn 3 x 100 g

Suitable for several snack occasions if you have access to a microwave; less suitable for a desk lunch with no preparation.

The product description lists three 100 g bags and microwave preparation. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a microwave bag automatically be considered one lunch portion?

Not necessarily: check the portion size on the label and distinguish it from the contents of the whole cooking bag. For the Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout reviewed, the bag is 90 g and the label lists a 30 g portion.

How do you prepare microwave popcorn according to the product instructions?

Follow the instructions on the specific packaging. For Jumbo Magnetron Popcorn Zout, Jumbo says to remove the film and not to restart cooking if it has been interrupted.

Does organic popcorn mean it’s suitable for anyone with a food allergy?

No. The packaging reviewed for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais warns that it may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. If you have an allergy, always check the packaging of the product you’re buying.

What’s the difference between a best-before date and a use-by date for popcorn?

The Voedingscentrum distinguishes between a best-before date, which relates to quality, and a use-by date. For a product with a best-before date, the Voedingscentrum advises checking its appearance, smell and taste after that date; don’t use a product after its use-by date. The date applies to unopened packaging, so follow the relevant storage advice after opening.