To choose popcorn with fewer calories, compare the kcal per 100 g and the portion you actually plan to eat. But whether a product is suitable if you have a food allergy can only be determined by checking the current ingredients list, declared allergens and, where applicable, precautionary allergen information. The four popcorn products described by EDEKA range from 385 to 509 kcal per 100 g; this doesn’t tell you whether they are generally suitable for people with allergies.
For them, checking the current ingredients list and declared allergens comes first. Whether precautionary allergen information is relevant depends on the specific allergen and their individual guidance.
They want to compare varieties by kcal per 100 g while also considering how much popcorn they’ll actually eat. Sugar, fat and salt are other useful details when comparing specific recipes.
They want to choose the popcorn kernels, oil and seasonings themselves. They’ll need to consider every ingredient they use, as well as any kitchen contact that could be relevant to their allergy.
First, check that the ingredients are suitable for your allergy. Then compare the nutrition information per 100 g and think about whether a ready-made variety or making your own would fit better into your day-to-day life.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who should pay particular attention |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and traces | Check the current ingredients list for your allergen. Look out for highlighted allergens and any precautionary allergen information. | If I have a food allergy, I want to check for the allergen I need to avoid before making any decisions about calories. For around 46% of consumers, checking allergens comes first. |
| Calories and recipe | Compare kcal, sugar and fat per 100 g, as well as the amount you plan to eat. | If you’re choosing between sweet, salted and caramelised popcorn, you’ll want to compare the actual recipes, not just the variety names. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this comparison of calories and recipes. |
| Preparation and portion | If you’re making your own, check every ingredient. For microwave popcorn, follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought. | I want to choose the ingredients and amounts in my popcorn myself, or I need an easy option to prepare. For around 18% of consumers, control over preparation and portion size is the main concern. |
Calorie content tells you nothing about whether a product contains an allergen that affects you. For example, the EDEKA Herzstücke cream caramel popcorn described by EDEKA contains milk and carries a warning that it may contain traces of cereals containing gluten.
Check the allergens on the specific pack before comparing its nutritional values with other varieties.
Among the EDEKA products compared, sweet and salted microwave popcorn contain 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g respectively, compared with 385 kcal per 100 g for ready-to-eat sweet popcorn.
Compare like with like, and check the sugar, fat and salt in each variety as well as the kcal.
Ingredients and labelling can change. EDEKA notes in its product information that the details on the packaging should be treated as authoritative.
Read the pack again every time you buy it, even if you already know the variety.
You may also use oil, seasonings and sweeteners to prepare your popcorn. Depending on your allergy, contact through utensils and work surfaces may also be relevant.
Check every ingredient separately and follow the guidance that applies to you for avoiding cross-contamination.
EDEKA describes ready-to-eat sweet popcorn, as well as sweet and salted microwave popcorn, from its GUT&GÜNSTIG range.
The range’s cream caramel popcorn is a specific example of a recipe that differs from plain sweet popcorn.
Popchips Sea Salt & Pepper is a popped potato snack, not corn popcorn.
Lidl describes how to make popcorn from popcorn kernels with your own choice of additions.
Ingredients from the 14 allergen groups that must be declared have to be highlighted in the ingredients list. This is explained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs and the European Commission. Check the current label against the allergens you personally need to avoid.
No. A precautionary allergen statement describes the possibility of accidental presence; it isn’t the same as milk being listed as an ingredient. Whether this warning means you need to avoid the product depends on the individual guidance for your allergy.
Use the product page to help you shortlist options, but check the current pack before buying. EDEKA notes that online product information may differ from the details on the packaging.
Not simply because of how it’s prepared: EDEKA lists 395 and 430 kcal per 100 g for the sweet and salted microwave varieties compared, and 385 kcal per 100 g for ready-to-eat sweet popcorn. What matters is the nutritional information for the specific varieties and the portion you eat.