Snackers keeping an eye on fat
You want to compare the fat content for the same amount, then weigh out your own portion. A plain flavour or small portion doesn’t mean a product can be labelled ‘low fat’.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Households sharing portions
You’re looking for a bag you can divide into several measured portions. Check the pack size, and don’t treat the whole bag as one portion.
Shoppers planning ahead for their store cupboard
You compare the pack size with how much you plan to use. A larger bag is a good fit when the amount suits your household’s snacking occasions and you can store it according to the instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First compare the nutritional information for the same amount of chips, then decide which pack size suits your plans. The percentages below describe consumers with different main priorities when making this choice.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat per equal amount | Compare total fat per 100 g, then work it out for the same portion size. For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. | If you mainly want to take the fat content of a comparable amount into account, the nutritional values per 100 g make it easier to compare products side by side. Around 33% of consumers say this is their top buying priority. |
| Measuring portions | Compare portions of the same size. Albert Heijn gives a serving size of 25 g; Jumbo gives one of 30 g. | If you want to decide in advance how many chips you’ll eat or share out, choose a bag you can divide into portions of that size. Around 27% of consumers say portion control is their top priority. |
| Pack size that suits how you’ll use it | Choose the bag weight to suit the number of people eating and the occasions when you plan to serve the chips. A larger pack won’t necessarily suit your needs better. | If you’re looking for a pack for several people or snacking occasions, weigh up the amount you need against what you realistically expect to use. Around 27% of consumers put a suitable pack size first. |
| Storing after opening | Follow the instructions for the exact product. Albert Heijn says to close the pack securely after use; Jumbo advises storing it in a cool, dry place. | If you’ll use the bag over several occasions, check that the closing and storage instructions suit your plans. Around 13% of consumers make storage their main buying priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a plain flavour or small portion means ‘low fat’
Plain describes the flavour, not the nutritional claim. The AH plain variant checked lists 20 g of fat per 100 g, while the Jumbo plain variant lists 22.2 g per 100 g. Both are above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim on solid foods.
Check the fat content per 100 g, then work out how much fat is in the amount you’ll weigh out. A smaller portion doesn’t change the claim threshold per 100 g.
-
Comparing portion values as if the portions were the same size
The AH pack gives a manufacturer serving size of 25 g, while the Jumbo pack gives a serving size of 30 g. That means the values per serving aren’t directly comparable.
First compare the values per 100 g, then calculate both products for the same amount of chips.
-
Assuming more contents automatically make a better choice
A larger bag gives you more to store, but it only suits your plans if you want to use that amount. The pack size alone doesn’t tell you how much you’ll eat on each occasion.
Decide in advance how many portions you need, and follow the storage instructions on the pack after opening.
-
Counting only the chips in loaded nachos
The nutritional information for the chips on their own doesn’t describe the whole dish. Toppings and dips are separate ingredients; Doritos, for example, includes cheese in one of its own recipe suggestions.
Keep track of the amounts of chips and other ingredients separately when you want to assess the nutritional information for the dish.
Brands to use as a point of comparison
Doritos
Relevant plain and XL nacho products for anyone looking for tortilla chips to serve with dips or nachos.
- Doritos Nederland describes Naturel as suitable for dips and loaded nachos. This is the brand’s positioning, not an independent test.
- The 455 g Naturel variant checked lists 20 g of fat per 100 g. This figure applies to that variant, not all Doritos flavours.
Albert Heijn
The 200 g AH Tortilla chips naturel offers a specific point of comparison for portions and nutritional values.
- The product information lists eight 25 g portions and 20 g of fat per 100 g.
- These nutritional values apply to the 200 g plain variant; don’t use them as figures for other variants.
Jumbo
Jumbo Tortilla Chips Naturel 300 g is a larger bag to compare with a smaller pack.
- For this variant, Jumbo lists ten 30 g portions and 22.2 g of fat per 100 g.
- The storage instructions for this pack say to store it in a cool, dry place. These figures don’t apply to the entire Jumbo range.
Lidl
The Dutch product page confirms Snack Day Tortillachips nacho cheese as a product variant.
- The product name and flavour offer a familiar point of comparison.
- Don’t infer the fat content from the flavour name; check the nutritional information on the exact pack.
ALDI
The Dutch product page lists SUN SNACKS Tortillachips blauwe maïs.
- The product name identifies the type of corn.
- The colour or type of corn doesn’t in itself indicate a lower fat content; compare the nutritional information on the pack.
Mission
Mission Foods Europe lists tortilla chips in different pack formats for retail and food service.
- The European product information includes a 500 g salted pack.
- A European product listing doesn’t confirm that this pack is available in the Netherlands. A box containing several units is also not the same as a single consumer portion.
Tortilla chips at Joybuy
These tortilla chip products come in smaller and larger packs, for anyone looking for plain or salted chips to serve with dips, nachos or a meal.
No image available
Doritos Dippers Naturel, 185 g
A plain variant for anyone looking for tortilla chips to serve with dips or nachos.
The pack contains 185 g. The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g; for solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim at no more than 3 g per 100 g.
Close the pack after opening, following the product information.
No image available
Santa Maria Tortilla Chips Salted, 475 g
The larger bag may suit you if you’re planning to serve tortilla chips with a meal or dips and divide the contents over several occasions.
The pack contains 475 g. The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g; for solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim at no more than 3 g per 100 g.
Close the pack after opening, following the product information.
No image available
Santa Maria Original Nacho Chips, 185 g
A smaller pack for anyone looking for tortilla chips to serve with Tex-Mex dishes or dips.
The pack contains 185 g. The product information lists 20 g of fat per 100 g; for solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim at no more than 3 g per 100 g.
Close the pack after opening, following the product information.
Frequently asked questions
When can tortilla chips be called ‘low fat’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a ‘low fat’ claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The AH and Jumbo plain variants checked list 20 g and 22.2 g per 100 g respectively. A smaller portion doesn’t change the claim threshold per 100 g.
Does ‘light’ mean the same as ‘low fat’?
No. ‘Light’ refers to a reduction in one characteristic compared with a similar product; check the label to see which characteristic has been reduced. The European Commission sets a separate threshold for the absolute fat content per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim.
What portion size should I use to compare products?
For a fair comparison, use the same amount in grams. Albert Heijn gives a manufacturer serving size of 25 g and Jumbo gives one of 30 g, so the values per serving aren’t directly comparable. The manufacturer’s serving size isn’t a personal dietary guideline.
How should I store a bag that I won’t finish in one go?
Follow the instructions for the exact product. Albert Heijn advises closing the pack securely after use; for its 300 g plain variant, Jumbo says to store it in a cool, dry place. Don’t assume there’s a particular storage period after opening unless it’s stated on the pack.
What should I check for allergies and when ordering online?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the exact variant. AH Tortilla chips naturel states that the product may contain soya. Business.gov.nl explains that food information on the label must be in Dutch and also available online.