Parents who want to portion snacks in advance
A sealed bag is easy to set aside for a snack break. Check the weight of each bag too: small bags don’t all contain the same amount.
Who is a multipack useful for?
Families with different flavour preferences
A selection gives you a choice of flavours and sometimes different types of snacks too. Check how many bags of each variety are in the box, so the contents suit what your household enjoys.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
Ingredients and allergens can vary between varieties in a mixed box. So, read the packaging information for every variety you plan to hand out.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want individual portions, a range of flavours or one familiar variety. Then use the information on the box to assess the pack size and contents.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check the number of bags and the weight of each one; the number alone doesn’t tell you how large the portions are. | If I want to set out one sealed bag after school without opening a large bag, the amount in each portion matters. Around 27% of consumers would make this their top purchasing priority. |
| Flavour selection | Check how many bags of each flavour and type of snack are included in the mix. | If people at home have different preferences, I don’t want to be left with varieties nobody eats. Around 20% of consumers would put the flavour selection first. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion; check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. | When I’m choosing snacks for a child or need to consider a food allergy, I want to know what’s in every bag. This would be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and availability | Check the total contents and whether the multipack you want is available through your preferred retailer. | If I need bags for several occasions, I want a box whose contents will actually get eaten. Around 20% of consumers would focus mainly on this. |
Common mistakes
-
Thinking small bags of crisps are an everyday snack
An individual bag makes the portion clear, but it doesn’t change what’s inside. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mostly foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five for snacks.
For regular school days, consider fruit, vegetable sticks or a wholegrain option too, and treat crisps as an occasional choice.
-
Treating every variety in a mixed pack as the same
A box may contain corn or cheese snacks as well as potato crisps. Ingredients and allergens can therefore vary between varieties.
Check the contents and, if relevant, read the information for each individual product in the box to check for allergens.
-
Comparing only the number of bags
Twelve portions of 40 g and fifteen bags of 25 g are different pack sizes. More bags doesn’t automatically mean more overall contents.
Compare the weight of each bag and the total contents of the packs as well as the number of bags.
-
Assuming a product page confirms availability
A multipack may only be available through a specific retailer. For example, Lidl describes its multipack as available in store only.
Before buying, check that the product you’ve chosen is available through your preferred way of shopping.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Lay's offers multipacks with individual bags; some mixed boxes also include other types of snacks.
- Lay's describes the small bags in its multipacks as suitable for sharing.
- Albert Heijn also lists Cheetos and Doritos varieties in the Celebration box. With a mixed pack like this, check the selection and the ingredients for each type.
Pringles
An option if you’re looking for individual portions of one familiar variety rather than a mix of flavours.
- Albert Heijn describes the Original 12-pack as containing twelve resealable 40 g tubes.
- For this Original variety, Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten as present, and milk and soya as possibly present. Check other flavours separately.
Jumbo huismerk
A supermarket option if you’re looking for small sharing bags of paprika and ready salted crisps.
- Jumbo lists an own-brand sharing bag containing fifteen 25 g bags.
- Before buying, check the current contents and availability of the pack you’ve chosen.
Snack Day
Lidl’s own brand includes a range of crisps flavours and snacks.
- If you’re considering a Lidl product, use the label to compare the flavour, contents and ingredients.
- Check which varieties are in each pack and how the product is available.
Crisps multipacks on Joybuy
These products offer individual portions for an occasional after-school snack: three mixed boxes with different snacks and two multipacks with a single flavour. For the mixed boxes, check which varieties you actually want to hand out.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 2 x 15 zakjes
For anyone who wants to share out different snacks in individual bags; check which varieties and how many bags of each type are in the box.
Pack: 2 x 15 bags. For allergen information, check the packaging for each individual variety.
No image available
Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to set out ten individual portions of the same flavour, without being left with unwanted varieties from a mixed pack.
Pack: 10 bags of 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
No image available
Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce Potato Chips, 12 x 40 g
For anyone looking for individual portions of one Texas BBQ variety rather than a box of different flavours.
Pack: 12 portions of 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety on the packaging.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips, 15 zakjes
For anyone who wants to hand out a selection in individual bags; check that the range of flavours suits everyone.
Pack: 15 bags. Also check the weight per bag and the ingredients for each variety.
No image available
Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 stuks
For anyone who wants to share out different snacks; check how many of each type are in the box.
Pack: 20 items. Check the ingredients and allergens for each relevant variety.
Frequently asked questions
Are crisps multipacks suitable for an everyday after-school snack?
Crisps aren’t an everyday staple for children aged 4 to 12. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mostly foods from the Dutch Wheel of Five for snacks, including vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products; a small bag of crisps can be an occasional choice.
Should I check the allergens in every variety in a mixed box?
Yes, if allergens are relevant to anyone eating them: varieties in the same box may contain different ingredients. Check the allergen information on the packaging for each variety, rather than relying on the brand name or the front of the box alone.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on a crisps packet?
‘May contain’ warns that an allergen could accidentally find its way into the product. If you need to avoid that allergen, check which variety the warning applies to.
How do I compare the contents of different multipacks?
Check the number of portions, the weight per portion and the total contents. Twelve portions of 40 g are a different pack size from fifteen bags of 25 g, even though the difference in the number of bags is small.
How should I store individual bags of crisps?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and keep the bags sealed until you’re ready to hand them out. For Lay's Classic Mix, Jumbo’s storage advice is ‘store in a cool, dry place’.