For a baby aged 4 months to 1 year, a multipack of salted tortilla chips isn’t a suitable choice for baby-led weaning: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies food containing salt. For an older child, a small bag of crisps doesn’t automatically make a suitable everyday snack; consider it only as an occasional treat, and check the packaging, your child’s eating skills and any rules at their school or childcare setting.
With baby-led weaning, the first question is whether the snack is suitable for a baby aged 4 months to 1 year. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children in this age group food containing salt, so salted tortilla chips are out.
A small pack is easy to take with you, but that doesn’t tell you whether its contents are suitable as an everyday snack. For toddlers and pre-schoolers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks from the Wheel of Five.
If your child has an allergy or coeliac disease, or their school or childcare setting has rules about food, check the information on the specific pack you choose. Don’t assume tortilla chips are allergen-free just because they may be made from corn: allergen information varies from product to product.
First decide whether the snack is for a baby or an older child. Then consider the texture, packaging and label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Baby’s age and salt | Check your child’s age, the ingredients and the salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies aged 4 months to 1 year food containing salt. | I’m looking for something my baby can practise eating, and don’t want to choose a salty snack. For around 50% of consumers, suitability for babies comes first. |
| Texture and supervision | Consider whether your child can chew a hard, crunchy chip. Make sure a young child sits calmly while eating, and stay with them, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | My child is still learning to chew; a handy little bag doesn’t put my concerns about the texture to rest. Around 30% of consumers give this consideration top priority. |
| Lunchboxes and allergens | Read the allergen information on the pack you choose and check the rules at your child’s school or childcare setting. Don’t judge a portion-sized pack on convenience alone. | For the lunchbox, I want to know exactly what I’m packing and whether it’s allowed. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
A chip can be made mostly from corn and still contain salt. Albert Heijn lists salt as an ingredient in Doritos Naturel and gives its salt content as 0.71 g per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving babies aged 4 months to 1 year food containing salt.
Don’t choose salted tortilla chips for a baby-led weaning meal. For any other food, check that it’s suitable for your baby’s age and review the ingredients on the packaging.
A small bag makes it easier to portion out snacks, but it doesn’t change what’s inside. For toddlers and pre-schoolers, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks from the Wheel of Five.
For an everyday snack, choose something like fruit, vegetables or wholemeal bread. If you’re considering crisps for an older child, treat them as an occasional snack rather than judging them by the packaging alone.
Corn as an ingredient doesn’t rule out the presence of other allergens. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Doritos Naturel may contain soya and wheat (gluten).
Check the allergen information for the exact variety every time you buy it, and check the rules at your child’s school or childcare setting before packing it.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Doritos Naturel are salted corn chips in a 185 g bag, not a baby food or a designated multipack.
Lidl Netherlands lists Snack Day sea salt tortilla chips in a 300 g bag.
ALDI Netherlands lists 300 g bags of SUN SNACKS tortilla chips in plain, cheese and sweet chilli varieties.
As well as wraps and flatbreads, Mission Foods Europe also makes tortilla chips.
Salted tortilla chips aren’t a suitable choice for a baby aged 4 months to 1 year. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children in this age group food containing salt. Choose a food for practising eating that’s suited to your baby’s age and eating skills.
No. A portion-sized bag doesn’t make tortilla chips a suitable everyday snack for a toddler or pre-schooler. For this age group, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends snacks from the Wheel of Five, such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread.
No. Check the allergen information for the variety you choose. For example, Albert Heijn states that Doritos Naturel may contain wheat (gluten) and soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
