If someone in your household needs to avoid a particular allergen, check the current ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warning on every variety of potato crisps. A gluten-free or vegan label can help you narrow down your options, but it doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergens. For a big shop, you’ll need to make sure the variety and pack size suit everyone’s individual requirements.
If someone needs to avoid a particular ingredient, the label on each individual pack matters more than a general impression that a product is ‘free from’. The ingredients, highlighted allergens and any precautionary allergen warnings all need to meet that person’s requirements.
For this combination, look for varieties labelled accordingly. According to their own information, funny-frisch and Chio label individual varieties of potato crisps this way, rather than making a claim about their entire range.
If you’re planning to buy several flavours and pack sizes, check each variety separately to make sure it’s suitable. If fat content is also a factor, the nutritional information on the specific packs can help you compare them.
First, decide which ingredients people in your household need to avoid. Then choose the varieties and quantities for your shop.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergens | The ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the current pack, plus any precautionary allergen warnings. | If someone in my household needs to avoid milk or another specific allergen, I want to assess each variety using its own packaging. This is the main consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free and vegan | A clear label on the exact variety, along with its other ingredients and allergen information. | For family members who eat gluten-free and vegan, I look for a variety labelled accordingly, without assuming this means it’s free from other allergens. This combination is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity and varieties | Net weight and separate planning for varieties that meet different requirements. | If several people want different crisps, I want to plan for suitable bags and enough of each. This is the most important shopping consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Fat content | The nutritional information for the specific varieties, compared on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | If fat content matters to me as well as the ingredients, I compare the information on the packs. This comparison comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
These labels relate to different requirements. For example, Lorenz describes Crunchips Salted as vegan and gluten-free, while also stating ‘May contain: milk’.
First, work out which ingredient needs to be avoided, then check the information on the current pack of your chosen variety.
‘May contain’ doesn’t specify a quantity or indicate how a particular person might react to the product.
Take any warning into account when making your decision. If an allergy is medically significant, follow the individual advice of a healthcare professional.
Seasonings and recipes can vary between varieties. A pack you bought before is no guarantee of what you’ll find when you next shop in bulk.
Check every flavour again, and keep bags for people with different dietary requirements separate in your household.
Crunchips Salted is an example of simply salted potato crisps with variety-specific labelling.
Riffels Naturell and the Ofen-Chips range cater to different preferences, so they shouldn’t be treated as one and the same variety.
Chips Red Paprika is a spicy potato crisp variety with features that can help you narrow down your options.
EDEKA Bio Sweet Potato Chips are made from sweet potatoes, so they’re a different kind of snack from potato crisps.
Yes. The 14 regulated allergens and other substances that can cause intolerances must be declared in prepacked foods when they’re used as ingredients. These include cereals containing gluten and milk. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs explains this labelling requirement. Check the ingredients information on the specific pack.
No. A precautionary allergen warning like this doesn’t tell you the quantity or indicate an individual’s level of risk. If an allergy is medically significant, your decision should be based on individual professional advice and the current labelling on the pack.
No. These labels only answer specific questions about the variety in question. Gluten-free says nothing about milk or other allergens. Even with crisps labelled vegan, you should check the ingredients and any precautionary allergen warnings on the current pack.