Tortilla chips aren’t a suitable everyday nursery lunch choice for a toddler or young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for young children, while the US CDC and Seattle Children’s list corn and tortilla chips as choking hazards. A 44 g bag makes packing easier, but doesn’t change whether the chips are suitable or their texture. So compare individual bags with larger packs only for a different, suitable occasion, and always check the nursery’s policy and the label on the exact product.
You’re looking for something that’s easy to pack, but first want to know whether it’s suitable for a toddler or young child and fits the nursery’s food policy. A small bag doesn’t automatically make crisps suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre offers advice on snacks, while the CDC and Seattle Children’s list crisps as a choking hazard for young children.
You’re comparing an individual bag with a larger pack that you can divide up yourself. Bear in mind the difference between the pack contents and a stated serving size: Albert Heijn, PLUS, Makro Nederland and Jumbo list different pack and portion sizes.
You choose based on the label on the exact flavour and pack, and agree any necessary arrangements with the nursery. Gluten-free, contains milk and may contain soya are different product attributes; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are labelled.
For toddlers and young children, first consider the eating situation and the nursery’s policy: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five, while the US CDC and Seattle Children’s list corn and tortilla chips as choking hazards.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability and safe eating | Consider the child’s age, when they’ll be eating and the nursery’s food policy. A bag doesn’t change the texture of the crisps. | If you’re packing an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child, weigh up suitability before convenience. Around 36% of consumers say suitability is their top priority. |
| Individual bag or larger pack | Check the weight of each inner bag and the number of bags. A serving size shown on a larger pack isn’t the same as an individually wrapped bag. | If you want something to take along without portioning it first, the number of sealed bags matters. Around 21% of consumers say individual packaging is their top priority. |
| Allergens in each product | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the exact pack, and discuss any relevant arrangements with the nursery. | If a child has an allergy or the nursery has specific requirements, check the exact flavour and pack. Around 29% of consumers say checking allergens is their top priority. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the total contents and number of inner bags. Follow the storage instructions and seal a larger pack securely once opened. | If you want to avoid having lots left over after packing, the quantity you buy matters. Around 14% of consumers say quantity and leftovers are their top priority. |
A 44 g bag doesn’t change the texture of the crisps. The CDC and Seattle Children’s list corn and tortilla chips as choking hazards for young children.
First consider whether the food is suitable for young children and fits the nursery’s food policy. Don’t let convenient packaging take the place of thinking about safe eating.
Albert Heijn labels the plain product tested as gluten-free and says it may contain soya. The Doritos Nacho Cheese product tested contains milk; that alone doesn’t establish whether it’s gluten-free.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact flavour and pack, and agree any relevant arrangements with the nursery.
The eight 25 g servings listed for a 200 g bag of AH crisps aren’t eight sealed packs. A box of Doritos Nacho Cheese, 20 x 44 g, does contain individual bags.
Check the number of inner packs and the weight per bag before choosing for convenience.
With a larger pack, you’ll need to portion it yourself and seal the pack securely. A box of individual bags means bringing several bags into your home at once.
The Dutch Nacho Cheese range reviewed includes 44 g bags and a box of 20 x 44 g bags, according to product information from PLUS and Makro Nederland.
AH Tortilla chips naturel comes in a larger 200 g bag; Albert Heijn lists a serving size of 25 g.
The Jumbo Tortilla Naturel product reviewed is available in a 170 g bag.
Lidl lists Snack Day Tortillachips nacho cheese as a product in the Netherlands.
SUN SNACKS Tortillachips blauwe maïs is listed as a product in the Dutch range.
Mission Foods Europe describes round and triangular tortilla chips, including salted 500 g varieties for retail and food service.
These are larger bags of tortilla chips to portion yourself. They’re intended for a different, suitable occasion, not as an everyday lunch for toddlers or young children.
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The 165 g bag is for portioning yourself for a different, suitable occasion; don’t use it as an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for snacks.
May contain traces of gluten, soya and milk.
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The 475 g bag is for portioning yourself for a different, suitable occasion; don’t use it as an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for snacks.
Product information lists maize flour, sunflower oil and salt; contains soya.
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The 272 g bag is for portioning yourself for a different, suitable occasion; don’t use it as an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child. The CDC and Seattle Children’s list corn chips as a choking hazard for young children.
Contains milk; may contain traces of gluten, soya and wheat.
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The 185 g bag is for portioning yourself for a different, suitable occasion; don’t use it as an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for snacks.
Product information lists maize flour, sunflower oil and salt; contains soya.
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The 170 g bag is for portioning yourself for a different, suitable occasion; don’t use it as an everyday lunch for a toddler or young child. The CDC and Seattle Children’s list tortilla chips as a choking hazard for young children.
Contains milk; may contain traces of gluten, soya and wheat.
Don’t choose tortilla chips as a regular option for a toddler or young child. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends foods from the Wheel of Five for snacks; also make sure the lunch fits the nursery’s food policy.
No. The US CDC advises that young children should eat sitting upright, calmly and under constant supervision, and recommends avoiding food in the car or pushchair. Seattle Children’s also lists tortilla chips as a food that can cause choking. This is medical safety guidance from the US, not Dutch legislation.
No. Albert Heijn labels AH Tortilla chips naturel as gluten-free. Check each exact product separately: the statement that Doritos Nacho Cheese contains milk doesn’t establish whether it’s gluten-free.
Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the pack for the exact flavour, and discuss any relevant arrangements with the nursery. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly and correctly listed on food labels.
A box of Doritos Nacho Cheese, 20 x 44 g, contains twenty individual bags. The eight stated 25 g servings in a 200 g bag of AH crisps aren’t inner bags. Neither serving size is, in itself, a recommended amount for a young child.
