Who are these chips for?

Label-conscious shoppers looking to cut down on fat

You want the chips themselves to contain less fat, and you know that ‘light’, ‘reduced’ and ‘low fat’ don’t mean the same thing. Check the claim and nutrition table for the exact variant.

Festival planners preparing portions

You’re buying snacks for several people and distinguish between the contents of a bag and the amount someone eats. Product labels may list different serving sizes.

Shoppers who need to consider allergies

You want to know which ingredients and allergens are present in your chosen flavour before serving it. If you’re selling the product unpackaged, allergen information must be available where it is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

What should you look for when buying?

First check whether the claim is about fat and what it is based on. Then decide on your portion and look separately at energy, allergens and how much you’ll need for the festival.

What to consider What should you check? Who might find this important?
Fat claim Read the claim, what it is being compared with, and the fat content per 100 g. If I specifically want chips with less fat, I check exactly what the claim is comparing. For around 31% of consumers, a demonstrable reduction in fat is the top priority.
Portion and energy Compare the energy value per 100 g, then decide how much you want to serve. If I want to plan how much people eat without choosing a different recipe, I look at the portion and energy separately. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. When serving guests with allergies, I want to be able to check the information for that exact flavour. Suitability for guests with allergies is the top priority for around 19% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Check the net weight, the number of servings listed and the storage instructions after opening. For a group, I want to buy enough and store any leftovers according to the instructions on the pack. Practical bulk buying is the main consideration for around 13% of consumers.
Flavour and serving with dips Choose the flavour and how you’ll serve the chips; assess the fat information separately. If the chips need to go with a dip or suit another occasion, I look at flavour and use first. This is the top priority when choosing for around 12% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming plain means low fat

    ‘Plain’ describes the flavour, not a reduced fat content. The Dutch product pages for Albert Heijn and Doritos list 20 g of fat per 100 g for the plain variants in question.

    Check the nutrition table and claim on the exact pack, rather than relying on the flavour name alone.

  • Assuming less fat means far fewer calories

    According to the Voedingscentrum, light crisps may contain more carbohydrates, which can mean only a small difference in calories.

    Check the energy value per 100 g and decide on your portion separately.

  • Applying a claim from another country to a Dutch variant

    On its Malaysian website, Mission says its chips contain 30% less oil than regular potato crisps. That relates to a different market and a different comparison than a Dutch claim about tortilla chips.

    Base your choice on the information on the Dutch pack and take note of what each claim is being compared with.

  • Losing track of the label when serving unpackaged chips

    If you’re selling food unpackaged, allergen information must be available where the product is offered, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

    Keep the labels for the chips and any dips, and make sure the information matches the exact products you serve.

Brands to compare

Doritos

The Dutch Doritos Naturel tortilla chips product page describes a 185 g pack.

  • The product page lists nutritional values and allergen information.
  • The variant in question contains 20 g of fat per 100 g and is not low fat.

Albert Heijn

AH Tortilla chips naturel is sold in a 200 g pack; the label lists a 25 g serving.

  • The product page lists nutritional values and product information for the variant.
  • The variant contains 20 g of fat per 100 g; the product page also warns that it may contain soya.

Jumbo

Jumbo Tortilla Chips Naturel comes in a 300 g pack; the product page lists a 30 g serving.

  • The product page gives nutritional values per 100 g and per serving.
  • The variant contains 22.2 g of fat per 100 g; ‘Super crunchy’ is a description, not the result of an independent test.

Lidl

The Dutch product page describes Snack Day Tortillachips sweet chili in a 300 g pack.

  • The product page lists the flavour and pack size.
  • Flavour and pack size alone do not demonstrate a reduction in fat.

ALDI

The Dutch range page lists SUN SNACKS Tortillachips in a 300 g pack.

  • The range information confirms the product category and pack size.
  • A product listing does not prove reduced fat or suitability for a specific allergy.

Mission

Mission Foods Europe describes tortilla chips for retail and foodservice, in round and triangular shapes and a range of flavours.

  • The European manufacturer’s information gives examples of shapes, flavours and pack configurations.
  • This information does not confirm availability in Dutch shops or the existence of a reduced-fat variant.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does low fat mean the same as reduced fat or light?

No. The European Commission defines ‘low fat’ for solid foods as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘light’ or ‘reduced’ must refer to a named nutrient that has been reduced by at least 30%. So check exactly what the claim on the pack is comparing.

Are light crisps automatically a healthy festival snack?

No. The Voedingscentrum says that neither regular nor light crisps are included in the Wheel of Five. Check the energy value as well as the fat claim, and consider the portion you want to serve.

How can I avoid comparing different serving sizes incorrectly?

Start with the nutritional values per 100 g, then compare serving sizes separately. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving for AH Tortilla chips naturel; Jumbo lists a 30 g serving for Jumbo Tortilla Chips Naturel. So the serving sizes on the labels are not the same.

How should I store leftover tortilla chips?

Follow the instructions on the pack for your chosen variant. Albert Heijn says to seal the pack tightly after use; Jumbo says to store its plain variant in a cool, dry place.

Do I need to provide allergen information if I sell unpackaged chips?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present must be available where unpackaged food is offered. You can provide the information in writing or electronically; it may also be given verbally, subject to the relevant conditions.

What should I keep in mind when selling chips and dips at a festival?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food must be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically. The stated storage temperature of below 7 °C applies to perishable foods, not automatically to dry crisps; it may, however, be relevant for perishable dips.