If you need to avoid gluten strictly, choose popcorn based on the ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific pack, not simply because it contains maize. If you need to avoid other allergens, check the ingredients list and precautionary allergen information. Making popcorn from kernels lets you choose the seasoning, but you’ll also need to check every extra ingredient. A vegan label is no substitute for an allergen check.
For a fuss-free afternoon snack, you’ll need to make your choice based on the specific pack. The fact that popcorn is made from maize doesn’t replace checking for a ‘gluten-free’ label and precautionary allergen information.
If you need to avoid milk, nuts, sesame or soya, for example, check the ingredients list and any precautionary allergen information for each variety. A vegan symbol doesn’t answer all these questions.
With popcorn kernels, you can choose your own oil and seasoning. If you need to avoid allergens, also check the seasoning blends, toppings and information on the popcorn kernel pack.
First, work out which ingredients or traces you need to avoid. Then decide whether you’d prefer ready-to-eat popcorn or to choose the seasoning yourself.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding gluten | Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the information on the current pack. If you’re making it yourself, check the other ingredients too. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, I don’t want to rely on maize as the main ingredient alone. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and precautionary allergen information against the allergens you need to avoid; a vegan symbol isn’t enough. | If I need to avoid several allergens, I need to know whether a particular variety is suitable for me. This check is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Vegan recipe and your own seasoning | For ready-made popcorn, check the ingredients. For popcorn kernels, also check the oil, seasonings and toppings. | I want a plant-based snack and to choose whether to decide on the sweetness and seasoning myself or save time on preparation. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
The main ingredient alone doesn’t tell you everything about the product you’re buying. For example, Alnatura states that its organic popcorn kernels may contain traces of gluten.
If you need to avoid gluten strictly, look for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific pack and read the other information on it.
A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether nuts, sesame or soya, for example, are present as an ingredient or may be present as traces.
Compare the ingredients list and precautionary allergen information with the allergens you need to avoid. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity explains the mandatory labelling of common allergens; Lebensmittelklarheit distinguishes this from information about unintended traces.
Oil, seasoning blends and toppings are also part of the finished snack. If you need to avoid an allergen, shared kitchen utensils may also be a consideration.
Check every ingredient you use and make sure your utensils have been cleaned appropriately.
Information about gluten or allergens doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fat is in a portion.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much you actually plan to eat.
Heimatgut offers ready-to-eat organic popcorn. For its Bio Popcorn Süß klein variety, the manufacturer lists maize, cane sugar and coconut oil as ingredients and describes the product as vegan.
Davert offers organic popcorn kernels for you to prepare yourself.
Alnatura describes its organic popcorn kernels as vegan and lists popcorn kernels as the ingredient.
Here you’ll find popcorn kernels to prepare yourself and sweet popcorn for the afternoon. Whether a product is suitable if you need to avoid gluten strictly or other allergens depends on the labelling on the specific pack you buy.
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For anyone who wants to make and season their own popcorn. Alnatura states that this version may contain traces of gluten, soya, milk, almonds, nuts, sesame and lupin. If you need to avoid any of these, it’s particularly important to check the pack labelling.
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For homemade popcorn with your own choice of seasoning. Before buying, check the pack size and allergen information particularly carefully: the available product information on peanuts and nuts is inconsistent. If you need to avoid gluten strictly, check the relevant labelling too.
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A sweet option for anyone who’d rather not mix their own seasoning. If you need to avoid gluten strictly or other allergens, check the current pack. Follow the preparation instructions on the pack and take care when opening it after heating.
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For a sweet snack you can make in the microwave without using a pan. The 90-g version has a set recipe; if you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, check the pack information and take care when opening the bag after heating.
No, the main ingredient alone isn’t enough to make that decision. Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label and read the other information on the specific pack. For example, Alnatura states that its organic popcorn kernels may contain traces of gluten.
No, a vegan label is no substitute for the ingredients list or precautionary allergen information. If you need to avoid milk, nuts, soya or sesame, check the information for each variety against the allergens you need to avoid.
This statement refers to possible unintended presence, not sesame added as an ingredient. Lebensmittelklarheit distinguishes such precautionary allergen information from the mandatory labelling of allergens added as ingredients. If you have a sesame allergy that could be affected, take the warning into account when choosing and check any uncertainty with the manufacturer.
As well as the popcorn kernels, check every oil, seasoning and topping you use. If you need to avoid allergens, also read the precautionary allergen information on the packs and use kitchen utensils that have been cleaned appropriately.