Households keeping an eye on quantity
If several people are watching, you’ll want to know how many crisps the pack contains in total. The number of bags alone doesn’t tell you how large they are.
Who are multipacks useful for?
Households that want to give everyone their own portion
Individual bags make sharing easy. A mix is particularly useful if people want different flavours.
Shoppers with questions about ingredients
With a box containing different snacks, you’ll want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the total contents and how they’re divided between bags or tubes. Then check that the flavours and ingredients are right for what you want to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Total quantity | Compare the total weight with the number of bags and the contents of each bag. | If several people are watching, I want to know whether there’s enough for everyone. Around 36% of shoppers put the total quantity first. |
| Portions and flavours | Check the number of individual portions and how the flavours and types of snack are divided. | I want to be able to give everyone something without making them all choose the same flavour; for around 29% of shoppers, this is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the allergens for each item in a mix and compare nutritional information per 100 g or per portion. | When a box contains different snacks, I want to know what’s in each one before offering them. Around 21% of shoppers put this check first. |
| Pack format | Consider the difference between individual bags and tubes, and check whether an opened pack can be resealed. | If I’m not serving everything at once, I care about whether individual portions can be closed again; around 14% of shoppers choose mainly based on pack format. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all the snacks in a mix contain the same allergens
A mixed box may combine potato crisps, tortilla chips and other savoury snacks. This means the ingredients can vary from one item to another.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for each type of snack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.
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Treating average nutritional values as product-specific values
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides average values for crisps; the nutritional content of the product you choose may differ.
When comparing products, use the nutritional information on the pack itself and check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Jumbo lists a Party Mix with 15 bags; Albert Heijn also offers a Mega Box with 20 snacks of different types.
- The Party Mix includes three flavours in individual bags.
- For a mixed box, check the ingredients and allergens for each type of snack.
Pringles
Albert Heijn lists an Original 12-pack with twelve 40 g tubes.
- The individual tubes are resealable.
- This Original pack contains one flavour; check the allergens on the packaging.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks in paprika and barbecue flavours in 100 g packs.
- A good option if you specifically want to serve sticks in one of these flavours.
- A 100 g pack doesn’t offer the same individual portions as a sharing bag multipack.
Albert Heijn
The AH Chips pack combines paprika ridged crisps, plain ridged crisps and sweet chilli tortilla chips.
- The three products listed offer a variety of types and flavours.
- Check the contents and ingredients of each product: tortilla chips are not the same as potato crisps.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand sharing pack with 15 25 g bags, divided between paprika and plain flavours.
- The set bag size makes it easy to share portions among viewers.
- If you want more than two flavours, this combination offers less choice.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multipack containing a mix of 15 bags of crisps.
- Individual bags are handy for sharing during a TV dinner.
- Check the packaging to see which types and quantities are included in the mix.
Multipacks for different ways of sharing
These Joybuy products include a sharing mix, individual tubes and boxes with multiple portions. Choose based on the stated contents and pack format, and check the ingredients of each item in mixed boxes.
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Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
A sharing mix for a TV dinner when you want to offer a variety of snacks.
The stated pack contents are 180 g. Check the ingredients in the mix if allergens are a consideration for your guests.
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Pringles Original 12 × 40 g
Ideal if you want to share individual tubes in one flavour.
The pack contains twelve 40 g tubes. Albert Heijn describes this model’s packaging as resealable; check the allergens on the label.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15-pack
A mixed box for sharing individual portions during a TV dinner.
The product name states that it’s a 15-pack. Check which varieties are in the box and the allergens in each item.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20-pack
A box of assorted snacks for a TV dinner with several viewers.
The product name states that it’s a 20-pack. Check the contents and allergens of each snack variety before sharing the mix.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box Multipack, 2 × 12 pieces
A multipack for anyone who wants to offer several individual snacks.
The product name states that it contains two sets of twelve pieces. Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the individual packs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the size of a bag of crisps tell you anything about its nutritional value?
No. The bag size tells you how much it contains, not the nutritional value of the product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 215 kcal, 13,1 g fat and 3,4 g saturated fat for a 40 g bowl of crisps; check the nutritional information on the packaging of the multipack you choose.
Should I check every type of snack in a mixed crisp box for allergens?
Yes. If allergens are a consideration for your guests, check the ingredients and allergen information for each item. A mix can contain different types of snack; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels.