Snackers keeping an eye on fat
You want to compare the fat content of the exact popcorn variety and distinguish a lower figure in the nutrition table from the ‘low fat’ claim.
Who is this guide for?
Those making their own popcorn and choosing the toppings
You want to choose how much oil to use and which flavourings to add, rather than opting for a fixed sweet or salty recipe.
Shoppers who want to serve popcorn straight away
You’re looking for popcorn for a quick snack, with no preparation, and want to take sugar, fat and portion size into account.
What should you look for in popcorn?
First decide whether you want to pop it yourself or serve it straight away, then compare the varieties within that choice. For a ‘low fat’ claim, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for solid foods.
| What to consider | What to check | Who might find this important? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare the fat per 100 g for the exact variety. Don’t treat a lower figure as proof on its own that the product meets the ‘low fat’ claim. | If I want to cut down on fat first, I compare the nutrition tables on the same basis. Around 36% of consumers put fat content first. |
| Sugar and energy | Check the sugar and kcal per 100 g, then work out the figures for the portion you’ll actually serve. | For a sweet variety, I also want to know how much sugar and energy are in my portion; fat alone doesn’t give me the full picture. Around 29% of consumers put sugar and energy first. |
| Ease of preparation | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs preparing, then decide how you’ll portion it out. | If I want to hand out popcorn straight away at a Christmas market, I want to know whether it needs preparing first. Around 21% of consumers put ease of serving first when choosing what to buy. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and warnings on the exact packaging. If it’s sold loose, ask for allergen information before buying. | If I have a relevant allergy, I want to check the information for that exact variety before choosing. Around 14% of consumers put allergen suitability first. |
Common pitfalls
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Confusing less fat with the ‘low fat’ claim
A product may contain less fat than another variety and still exceed the limit for the ‘low fat’ claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare the nutrition table for the exact variety, and don’t treat a flavour name or a simple comparison as proof that a claim applies.
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Comparing the portion sizes on packs directly
AH lists a 25 g portion for the popcorn reviewed; Jumbo Popcorn Zoet also gives figures per 30 g. These portions are not the same size.
Compare the figures per 100 g first, then work out the figures for the same portion size if you want to compare the varieties that way.
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Treating the figures for dry corn as if they were for popped popcorn
The nutrition table for dry popping corn doesn’t automatically describe the finished snack. Added oil and flavourings change what you end up serving.
Take the corn, oil and flavourings you use together into account when assessing your recipe and portion.
Popcorn brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The range includes ready-to-eat sweet and salted popcorn, as well as dry popping corn, giving you the option to weigh up making your own against buying it ready-made.
- Albert Heijn publishes product information for the varieties reviewed. The preparation instructions for AH Biologisch Popcorn mais add oil to the dry corn.
- An organic label alone says nothing about the fat content or whether the product meets the ‘low fat’ claim.
Jumbo
Its product information covers dry popping corn and ready-to-eat sweet popcorn, so you can choose between making your own and serving it straight away.
- Jumbo lists ingredients and nutrition information for the products reviewed; its dry popping corn consists of corn.
- Added ingredients count when you prepare it. Jumbo Popcorn Zoet carries a warning that it may contain milk.
Lidl
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand, which includes descriptions of salted and sweet popcorn.
- Lidl identifies Snack Day Popcorn zeezout as a 200 g variety.
- The ‘sea salt’ flavour name doesn’t tell you the fat content; check the nutrition information on the exact packaging.
Aldi
SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn is a ready-to-eat popcorn variety described by ALDI.
- The product listing identifies the salted variety in a 100 g pack.
- A description of the flavour as salty is no substitute for checking the nutrition table on the packaging.
Popcorn products at Joybuy
This selection includes sweet, salted and sweet-and-salty popcorn, as well as dry corn to pop yourself. Before choosing, check the nutrition information and portion size on the exact packaging.
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SNACK MAZE Cinema Butter Popcorn, 240 g
A good choice if you’re looking for cinema butter-flavoured popcorn; the product name lists a pack size of 240 g.
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g'woon Salted popcorn, 100 g
A good choice if you’re looking for salted popcorn; the product name lists a pack size of 100 g.
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g'woon Sweet popcorn, 175 g
A good choice if you want to serve sweet popcorn straight from the pack; the product name lists a pack size of 175 g.
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Valle Del Sole Popcorn Maize (Butterfly), 900 g
A good choice if you want to pop your own popcorn; this is dry corn that still needs to be prepared.
The product information lists vegetable oil in the preparation instructions. The figures for dry corn don’t describe the finished snack.
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MUSHAN BASE Sweet and salty popcorn, 120 g
A good choice if you’re looking for sweet and salty popcorn that, according to the product description, can be eaten straight from the pack.
The product information lists soya and says the product may contain gluten; check the packaging if this is relevant to you.
Frequently asked questions
When can popcorn be called low fat?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for the ‘low fat’ claim. AH Popcorn zoet lists 4 g of fat per 100 g and Jumbo Popcorn Zoet 4.6 g per 100 g, so these two specific varieties are above that limit.
How can you make popcorn with measured amounts of added ingredients?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes a recipe using 50 g of popping corn, 1 teaspoon of oil and 1 teaspoon of herb mix. Use a pan with a thick base and a well-fitting lid, and take it off the heat when the popping has mostly stopped. The ingredients you add count towards the finished snack.
What allergen information should I ask for when buying loose popcorn?
Ask about the legally designated allergens present before you buy. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must be available to consumers immediately when food is sold loose; the point of sale must also clearly direct you to the information.
How should you store an opened bag of popcorn?
For the sweet and salted popcorn varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn advises storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the packaging securely after use. Also follow the storage information on your own pack.
Which flavourings work well for popcorn at a Christmas market?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre suggests cinnamon and spiced biscuit seasoning as sweet flavour options. Check the ingredients in your chosen spice mix if allergens are relevant to you.