Choose popcorn by looking at the fat per 100 g as well as how much you actually eat. Check the sugar and saturated fat content, too, and consider how it’s prepared. According to the European Commission, a ‘low fat’ claim for solid foods is limited to 3 g of fat per 100 g. A lower fat value than another popcorn’s does not, by itself, prove that a product meets the requirements for a reduced-fat claim.
If you want to make popcorn yourself while working from home and choose the oil and flavourings, don’t just look at the nutritional information for the dry kernels. Albert Heijn provides separate information about the kernels and how to prepare them.
Looking for something to enjoy during a short lunch break? Compare ready-to-eat popcorn by its fat, sugar and flavour. Albert Heijn and Jumbo also describe varieties that are ready to eat.
If by ‘a lighter snack’ you mainly mean a measured amount, check the portion size on the label and decide how much you’ll eat. The suggested portion isn’t necessarily the whole pack.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. Also compare the same product state and consider your own portion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and product state | Compare fat per 100 g for the same type of product, such as dry kernels with dry kernels. If you’re popping them yourself, include any added ingredients. | If I mainly want to know how much fat the snack contains, I check the nutrition table and whether it refers to dry or prepared popcorn. Around 39% of consumers put assessing fat content at the top of their shopping priorities. |
| Preparation time and equipment | Check whether the popcorn is ready to eat or needs a pan or microwave, and follow the instructions for that particular product. | If my lunch break is short, I want to know what steps and equipment are needed before I choose. Around 23% of consumers give ease of preparation top priority. |
| Portion size and sugar | Check the energy and sugar content per 100 g and per suggested portion. Compare portions on the same basis and, if you like, weigh out your own serving. | If I want to match my snack portion to my lunch, I look beyond the fat content. Around 23% of consumers put portion size, energy and sugar at the top of their priorities. |
| Packaging and added ingredients | Check the pack weight, which ingredients you’ll need if preparing it yourself, and how to store an opened pack. | If I want to make good use of a pack, I consider how much I’ll actually eat and what’s involved in preparing it myself. Around 15% of consumers put making the most of the pack and the ingredients needed at the top of their priorities. |
A product’s appearance or form doesn’t tell you whether it meets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g.
Check the nutrition table per 100 g and treat the claim as a separate product attribute.
Jumbo lists 48.6 g of sugars per 100 g for the sweet popcorn reviewed. So the fat content alone doesn’t give you the full nutritional picture.
Look at fat, sugar and energy together, and work out the amounts for the portion you eat.
The nutrition information for dry kernels doesn’t automatically include the oil or other ingredients you add during preparation. Albert Heijn’s instructions for its popping corn include oil.
Allow for any ingredients you add yourself. Don’t treat the table for dry kernels as the nutrition information for the complete prepared recipe.
The Albert Heijn salted popcorn reviewed lists a portion of 25 g, while Jumbo gives 30 g for its sweet variety. Neither is the same as a full pack.
Weigh out the amount you want to eat and follow the storage advice on the pack for the rest.
Product information covers dry popping corn, ready-to-eat salted popcorn and salted microwave popcorn.
Jumbo describes its own-brand popcorn in sweet and salted varieties that are ready to eat.
Lidl lists both salted and sweet popcorn in its Snack Day range.
ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Zoute popcorn in a 100 g pack.
No. According to the European Commission, solid foods can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to carry a ‘low fat’ claim. A small portion may contain only a few grams of fat even if the product doesn’t meet that limit per 100 g.
Treat popcorn as a snack alongside lunch, not as a proven complete meal. The Voedingscentrum suggests options for lunch such as wholemeal bread and generously filled wraps with vegetables and pulses.
Follow Albert Heijn’s product instructions: 2–3 minutes at 800 watts or 3–4 minutes at 600 watts. The popcorn is ready when there are 1–2 seconds between pops. Stay by the microwave and open the hot bag carefully to avoid the steam. These instructions apply to this product.
Always check the packaging for the exact variety. For Biologisch Popcorn mais, Albert Heijn states that it ‘may contain’ cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat; Jumbo lists milk for Popcorn Zoet. Don’t assume this information applies to all popcorn from the same brand.
Albert Heijn recommends storing the salted popcorn in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use. Also follow the best-before information on your own pack.
