If you want to head out without any preparation, choose individual bags only if the pack clearly states how many bags it contains and the weight of each one. With a larger bag, you can portion it out yourself; just check the flavour, nutrition information and storage instructions for the amount you’re taking with you.
You’re planning a short morning break on the go and want to be able to grab a pre-portioned amount. Check how the product is packed: its name won’t tell you how many bags there are or how many grams each one contains.
Flavour is your main priority. Compare the exact sweet or salted variety, then check whether the pack suits the amount you want to take with you. Jumbo and Lidl both list sweet and savoury options.
You want nutritional values or ingredients to influence your choice. Consider the amount you’ll actually eat, and if you have a food allergy, check the allergen information for the exact variety.
Choose this if: you want to grab a sealed bag as you head out, without measuring out the popcorn first.
Keep in mind: check how many bags there are and how much each contains; a product name such as ‘sharing bag’ doesn’t tell you this.
Choose this if: you want to decide how much popcorn to take with you.
Keep in mind: you’ll need to measure out the portion yourself and follow the storage instructions on the pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and packaging | Check whether there are individual bags and how many grams each contains. If you’re portioning it out yourself, the total pack weight isn’t a recommended portion size. | If I want to grab something for my morning break straight away, I want to know how much is in each bag. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portion size and convenience. |
| Flavour | Check the exact variety and read the ingredients; sweet and salted are different product choices. | If I’m mainly after a sweet or savoury snack, I look at the flavour first. Around 33% of consumers put flavour first. |
| Label and ingredients | Compare nutritional values on the same basis and, if necessary, calculate them for the amount you eat. Check the allergens on the exact pack. | If ingredients or nutritional values influence my choice, I want to be able to check the label for the right variety. Around 25% of consumers make this their main reason for choosing. |
The product name ‘AH Sharing Bag Popcorn’ doesn’t confirm how many bags it contains or how much is in each one.
Check the number of packs and the contents of each one before choosing it for a break on the go.
A category featuring crisps and popcorn may also include other types of snacks. The Joybuy product page for Croky Sharing Mix lists crisps and dips, and doesn’t confirm that it’s a popcorn product.
Check the exact product type in the product name and information.
Pack sizes can vary. A value per 100 g doesn’t automatically tell you how much you’ll eat during your break.
Compare products on the same basis, then consider how much you actually want to take with you.
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Sharing Bag Popcorn, as well as larger packs of popcorn.
Jumbo lists 100 g of salted popcorn and 175 g of sweet popcorn.
Lidl lists both sweet and salted popcorn under its Snack Day brand.
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Salted Popcorn in a 100 g pack.
These popcorn options are suited to a ready-to-eat snack or to portioning out yourself. Check the flavour, packaging and ingredient information for each product.
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Ideal if you’re looking for a sweet-and-salty popcorn snack to take with you.
The pack contains 120 g; the product description says the popcorn can be eaten straight from the pack.
Contains soya and may contain gluten.
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Ideal if you’re after caramel popcorn for your break.
The pack contains 120 g; the product information lists ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g.
Contains milk.
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A salted popcorn option in a 100 g pack.
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Ideal if you want to portion out popcorn yourself from a larger pack.
The pack contains 240 g and is described in the product information as a large pack intended for sharing.
Check the net quantity and how the product is packed. For a multipack, the number of bags and the weight of each one give you a clearer idea of what you’ll take for each break than the total weight alone. Pack weight isn’t a recommended portion size.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety and read the packaging before eating the popcorn. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly shown on the label; EU food labelling information states that any allergens present must be emphasised in the ingredients list.
No. The pack size alone doesn’t tell you enough about its nutritional value. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises taking a critical look at the nutritional value of snacks. So compare the information for the exact variety and the amount you’ll eat, rather than drawing conclusions about its healthiness from the product category alone.
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack and check the stated use-by or best-before information. Instructions may vary from product to product.
