At the cinema, on the sofa in front of a TV series or as a quick snack to consume during a break, popcorn has held a firm place among the most popular snacks for years. Crispy, convenient, often perceived as lighter than other packaged alternatives, they are chosen with the idea of indulging in something simple. The point, however, is to understand whether this image really corresponds to reality.
An analysis conducted by Altroconsumo on 16 brands of popcorn, including savory and sweet products available in supermarkets and discount stores, shows a very clear scenario: few items deserve full promotion, while others present obvious critical issues. What emerges clearly are six salted popcorns that share a fundamental characteristic, namely a list of ingredients reduced to the essentials.
The best in the test: few ingredients, more balanced profile
At the top of the ranking are six products that all achieve the same score, equal to 63, with a “Good” rating and a mention for the best composition. These are:
The formula they have in common is simple and transparent: corn, high oleic sunflower oil and a limited amount of salt. No artificial flavours, no superfluous additives. From a nutritional point of view, these popcorns provide approximately 500 kcal per 100 grams, with total fats between 27 and 29 grams and a very limited saturated fat intake, around 2.1 grams per hectogram. Salt also remains at moderate levels, around 1 gram per 100 grams of product.
These are not “light” snacks, but options that are closer to the idea of popcorn as a simple food, to be consumed with moderation and without hidden surprises on the label.
Acceptable products: some shade in the composition
Immediately below the best is a group of popcorns judged “Acceptable”, with scores that progressively decrease. Conad Pop Corn obtains 57 points, followed by Carrefour Classic Pop Corn at 47, while Esselunga, Pam and Popz Popcorn Salati stop at 41.
In these cases the ingredient lists remain relatively short, but elements emerge that penalize the nutritional profile. Some brands exceed with salt, others choose coconut oil, which causes saturated fats to rise up to 23 grams per 100 grams of product. The calories are similar to those of the most virtuous popcorn, but the overall quality is clearly affected.
The San Carlo case and the problem of additives
Among the salted popcorn, the only real failure concerns the Love Pop – Original Pop Corn from San Carlo, which obtained just 25 points and a “Poor” rating. What plays a decisive role is the presence of monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer which negatively affects the final evaluation and distances the product from the idea of an essential snack.
Sweet popcorn: bottom of the standings without appeal
If the best in the test prove that simplicity pays, sweet popcorn represents the exact opposite. All the products in this category end up in the last positions, with scores between 21 and 16. Popz Choco, Popz Caramel Toffee and the two Werther’s Original variants close the ranking.
The reason is clear: sugars in high quantities, from 34 to 53 grams per 100 grams, presence of syrups, flavorings and additives, together with not very reassuring levels of saturated fats and salt. Even if the caloric value drops slightly, around 450 kcal per 100 grams, a 25 gram portion already provides over two teaspoons of sugar. Numbers that place these products in the category of ultra-processed snacks, to be limited as much as possible.
The domestic alternative remains the most controllable
Making popcorn at home allows you to make more informed choices. Without oil, 100 grams provide approximately 350 kcal; with a spoonful of oil you reach 440 kcal. The main advantage remains total control over the ingredients, with the possibility of reducing salt and fat and keeping the snack close to its simplest form.
How the test was conducted
Altroconsumo’s comparison covered 16 brands purchased in June 2025 in the main large-scale retail outlets. The analysis examined ingredients and nutritional values declared on the label, with particular attention to calories, saturated fats, sugars, salt and the presence of additives. The final score, expressed on a scale from 0 to 100, rewards the essential compositions and penalizes the excess of sugars, saturated fats and ultra-processed components.
The message that emerges is clear: when it comes to popcorn, fewer ingredients often means a better choice.
