People avoiding a specific allergen
For them, the allergen information on the current bag matters more than a general claim such as vegan or gluten-free. A warning about possible presence may also affect their choice.
Who should take extra care when choosing?
People looking to eat gluten-free
If you’re looking for chips to serve with a dip or as nachos, an explicit gluten-free claim and the accompanying allergen information are more useful than assuming all corn chips are gluten-free.
Dip and nacho lovers without specific dietary restrictions
For a TV dinner with salsa, dips or toppings, flavour and how you plan to serve the chips can guide your choice. If you’re sharing with people who need to avoid certain ingredients, check that your chosen variety is suitable for them too.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out which ingredients or allergens matter to the people at the table. Then compare the remaining chips by flavour and how well they go with dips or toppings.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who this matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible presence on the bag. | If I need to avoid a particular allergen, even a warning can change which flavour I choose. For around 50% of consumers, checking for a specific allergen comes first. |
| Gluten-free claim | Look for an explicit gluten-free claim and check the allergen information too; don’t rely on corn being an ingredient. | For a gluten-free TV dinner, I don’t want to choose chips based on an assumption about corn. Around 30% of consumers prioritise an explicitly gluten-free option. |
| Flavour and serving | Choose between plain and flavoured varieties, and check whether the chips are intended for dipping or nacho toppings. | If I don’t need to avoid anything specific, I mainly want chips that go well with the salsa, dip or toppings on the table. Around 20% of consumers prioritise how they’ll use the chips. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming corn means the chips are gluten-free
Corn as the main ingredient doesn’t tell you everything about the allergen information. Albert Heijn’s Dutch product page for Doritos Naturel 185 g says the chips may contain soya and wheat (gluten).
If you need to choose strictly gluten-free products, check for an explicit claim and read the warnings on the current bag.
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Assuming a dietary claim means free from all allergens
Albert Heijn describes AH Tortilla chips sweet chili as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free, but also states that this variety may contain soya.
Check the specific ingredient or allergen you need to avoid; another claim doesn’t automatically tell you whether it’s present.
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Applying allergen information from one flavour to another
A flavoured variety may have a different ingredients list or warning. For Santa Maria Giant Tortilla Chips Salsa, Jumbo’s product information states that the chips may contain soya.
Check each flavour and pack separately, even if you’ve bought a plain variety before.
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Relying on the product page alone
Albert Heijn says that product information can change. An online description is therefore no substitute for checking the information on the bag you’re actually using.
Before serving, compare the current packaging with the dietary requirements of everyone who’ll be eating.
Brands and varieties to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Tortilla chips sweet chili is a seasoned option if you’re looking for a chip to serve with a dip and want to check for specific dietary claims.
- Albert Heijn describes this variety as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
- The same product information states that the chips may contain soya; check the current bag.
Doritos
Dutch product information describes Doritos Naturel 185 g as suitable for dipping and loaded nachos.
- The suggested uses for this plain variety make it a good fit for a TV dinner with dips or toppings.
- According to Albert Heijn, the chips may contain soya and wheat (gluten). Corn as the main ingredient doesn’t automatically make this variety suitable if you need to avoid either.
Santa Maria
Santa Maria Giant Tortilla Chips Salsa is a seasoned variety described as a chip for dipping.
- The Salsa variety offers a different flavour to plain chips for serving with a dip.
- Jumbo states that this specific variety may contain soya. Don’t assume the same applies to other Santa Maria products.
SUN SNACKS
ALDI offers SUN SNACKS Tortillachips in plain, cheese and sweet chilli flavours.
- These flavours give you different options for a TV dinner.
- If you have dietary requirements, base your choice on the ingredients and allergen information for the specific bag.
Mission
Mission discusses corn products and gluten-free claims in its international product information.
- Mission advises checking each product individually by reading its ingredients declaration.
- International information about Mission corn products doesn’t confirm which claims appear on a specific bag sold in the Netherlands.
Nacho chips for dipping on Joybuy
This selection includes Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips 185 g, ideal for a TV dinner with dips, salsa or nacho toppings. If you need to avoid anything, check the claims and allergen information for this variety on the current packaging.
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Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips 185 g
An option to serve with dips, salsa or nacho toppings for a TV dinner. The pack contains 185 g; check the gluten-free claim and full allergen information on the bag. This variety isn’t suitable if you need to avoid soya.
Frequently asked questions
Are corn tortilla chips automatically gluten-free?
No. Corn as an ingredient doesn’t, by itself, mean a product is gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society defines gluten-free as containing less than 20 mg of gluten per kilogram of product. Check the bag you’ve chosen for an explicit claim and read the allergen information. For example, Albert Heijn states that Doritos Naturel 185 g may contain wheat (gluten).
Can I choose chips labelled ‘may contain soya’ if I avoid soya?
Don’t disregard that warning if you need to avoid soya. Read the full allergen information for the specific variety and follow the advice that applies to your situation. A gluten-free or vegan claim doesn’t change the soya warning.
Is the allergen information on a product page enough?
Use the product page to compare varieties, but also read the packaging of the product you have in your hands. Albert Heijn says that ingredients and allergen information can change.
Where can I find allergen information on the packaging?
Check the ingredients information and read any warnings about possible presence too. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, 14 allergens must be declared on the label.