Parents who need to check allergens
Allergen information varies by flavour and pack. So always check the label on the bag you’re actually putting in your child’s lunchbox, even if you’ve bought tortilla chips from the same brand before.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who portion out lunch at home
You can divide a sharing bag into a separate container or bag at home. If the pack lists a serving size, you can use it as a guide when measuring out a portion.
People buying for a shared occasion
If you’re sharing with a group, the size of the bag matters. If you’re planning to serve a dip too, you could also consider the size of the chips; this doesn’t tell you anything about their allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the chips are for one lunchbox or for sharing. Then check the exact variety and the school’s rules before packing a bag.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and school rules | Check the ingredients, allergens and any relevant ‘may contain’ statements on the current pack. Ask what rules apply in the class. | When I pack chips for my child, I first want to know whether the variety is suitable for their allergies and the school’s rules. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Lunch portion | Compare the net weight with the stated serving size, then portion the chips into a separate container or bag at home. | I wouldn’t pack a large bag as one break-time snack; I want to be able to measure out a portion in advance. For around 33% of consumers, the lunch portion comes first. |
| Sharing and dipping | Check the net weight and, if you’re serving a dip, the size of the chips. Choose a flavour that suits the occasion. | For a group occasion, I want enough chips to share, possibly with a dip. Around 25% of consumers give sharing suitability top priority. |
Pitfalls when packing a school lunch or sharing
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Assuming all tortilla chips have the same gluten information
Albert Heijn labels its plain tortilla chips as gluten-free, while wheat and gluten are listed under ‘may contain’ for the Doritos Cool American variety reviewed.
Check the allergen information on the current pack of the exact flavour and size.
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Choosing a cheese flavour without checking the allergens
The Santa Maria Giant Nacho Cheese and Doritos Cool American varieties described contain milk. Other relevant allergen information also varies by variety.
If an allergy is relevant, check both the ingredients and the allergen information; don’t rely on the flavour name alone.
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Treating the whole sharing bag as one lunch portion
According to Albert Heijn, the 200 g bag of AH Tortilla chips naturel contains eight servings of 25 g. The product page for the 475 g Santa Maria bag lists twelve servings of 40 g.
Measure out the amount you want at home into a separate container or bag, and seal the rest of the pack well.
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Waiting until after you buy to ask about school rules
According to the Voedingscentrum, schools can set rules about what children may bring in or hand out. A packed lunch and a treat for sharing may be subject to different rules.
Before a lunch or group occasion, ask what rules apply at the school or in the class.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The 200 g bag of AH Tortilla chips naturel is a plain option with a stated serving size.
- Albert Heijn lists eight servings of 25 g and describes this variety as vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free.
- The product page also states ‘may contain: soya’. If an allergy is relevant, check the current pack.
Santa Maria
The varieties described include a 475 g salted bag for sharing and Giant Nacho Cheese, with extra-large chips for dipping.
- The product page for the salted bag lists twelve servings of 40 g.
- Soya is listed as an allergen for that salted variety. The Giant Nacho Cheese variety described contains milk and lactose and may contain soya; check each variety separately.
Doritos
Doritos sells several varieties in the Netherlands, including Nacho Cheese, Cool American, Naturel and Lime.
- The range of flavours gives you options for a shared snack.
- Milk is listed for the Cool American variety described, while soya, wheat and gluten are listed under ‘may contain’. The allergen information for this variety doesn’t automatically apply to other flavours.
Sam Mills
The Sam Mills Nacho Cheese variety described comes in a 125 g pack.
- Albert Heijn describes this specific variety as suitable for a gluten-free diet.
- The variety contains milk and lactose and may contain soya. Check the pack information if you come across this variety.
Tortilla chips on Joybuy
This selection includes a 475 g salted bag for sharing and two 272 g Doritos flavours. For a school lunch, you can portion some out at home; check the allergens for each variety and find out what rules apply at school.
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Santa Maria salted tortilla chips 475 g
The 475 g bag is ideal for sharing or for portioning out at home.
The Joybuy product page lists twelve servings of 40 g and names soya as an allergen. Check the current pack if allergens are important for school.
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Doritos Nacho Cheese 272 g
This 272 g bag is a cheese-flavoured option for sharing or portioning out at home.
Milk ingredients are listed for this variety. If an allergy is relevant, also check the current pack for information about soya and wheat.
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Doritos Cool American tortilla chips 272 g
You can portion out this 272 g bag at home for sharing or for an individual lunch portion.
Milk and lactose are listed for this variety, while gluten-containing cereals, soya and wheat are listed under ‘may contain’. Check the current pack before packing the chips.
Frequently asked questions
Do tortilla chips always contain gluten?
No, the information varies by variety. Albert Heijn describes its plain tortilla chips as gluten-free, while wheat and gluten are listed under ‘may contain’ for the Doritos Cool American variety described. So check the pack of the exact bag you’re buying.
Should I check the school rules before packing chips?
Yes, ask what rules apply to packed lunches or occasions when food is shared. According to the Voedingscentrum, schools can set their own rules about what children may bring in or hand out.
Is a large bag suitable as a daily break-time snack?
A large bag isn’t intended as one lunch portion, so portion the chips out at home if you’re packing them. For children aged 4 to 12, the Voedingscentrum recommends choosing snacks mainly from the Schijf van Vijf.
How should I store the rest of an opened sharing bag?
Seal the pack well and follow the storage instructions on the bag. The Joybuy product page for the 475 g bag of Santa Maria salted tortilla chips says to keep the pack tightly closed after opening.