Individually wrapped portions are handy for handing out quickly at a Christmas market or filling lunchboxes in advance. A mixed box offers a range of flavours, while a multipack with one flavour makes the contents of each portion more predictable. With a mixed box, check the selection and the ingredients for each variety. Compare not only the number of packs, but also the weight per portion.
Individual bags are easy to count in advance and hand out without serving crisps. For example, Albert Heijn lists boxes of Lay's with 20 or 30 bags; check which snacks are included in the box you choose.
Pre-packed portions can be set aside without weighing them. If you want the same flavour and portion size every time, compare a uniform multipack with a mixed box.
In a mix of potato crisps and other snacks, ingredients can vary between varieties. So read the ingredients and allergen information for the products you actually plan to hand out.
First, decide whether each recipient needs an individual pack. Then consider whether variety, consistent contents or portion size matters most for your group.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out individual portions | Check that the portions are individually wrapped and how many bags the box contains. | If I want to hand one portion to each visitor at a Christmas market, I don’t want to have to serve or weigh it out; around 40% of consumers put this convenience first. |
| Flavour variety | See which types of snacks are in the mix and how many of each you get. | For a group with different preferences, I want to be able to offer several flavours; for around 30% of consumers, variety is their main concern. |
| Ingredients and allergens | With a mixed box, read the ingredients list and allergen information for each variety, including any information about possible traces. | When handing out snacks to people with a relevant allergy, I want to know what each product contains; for around 20% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Portion size and nutrition information | Compare the weight per pack and the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion for the variety you choose. | For a lunchbox, I want to know how many crisps are in each pack and what nutrition information applies; for around 10% of consumers, this is the highest priority. |
The Lay's boxes described by Albert Heijn combine different snacks. Ingredients and allergens may therefore vary between varieties.
Before handing them out, read the information for each type of snack in the box you’ve chosen, particularly if anyone receiving them has a relevant allergy.
A box with more packs does not necessarily contain the same amount per portion. Weights can also vary within a mixed box.
Compare the number of packs, the total weight and the weight of the individual packs.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal and 0.53 g of salt for an average 40 g portion of crisps. These values do not apply to every flavour or multipack.
For nutrition information on the product you choose, use the label for that particular variety and check the difference between values per 100 g and per portion.
For the Pringles Original 12 x 40 g format, Jumbo stated that the specific product was no longer part of its online range.
Check that your chosen multipack is currently available before deciding how many portions you need for a group.
Worth considering if you’re looking for boxes with several small snacks to hand out.
Worth considering if you’re looking for individual portions of the same variety.
A supermarket own-brand option if you want to share several larger bags with a small group.
A Lidl own-brand range with a variety of crisp flavours.
These multipacks show different formats for Christmas markets and lunchboxes: a mix, packs in one flavour and a box with several types of snack. If you’re handing snacks out individually, always check that the box you choose actually contains individually wrapped portions.
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A mixed format to consider if you want to offer a variety of snacks. The pack is listed as 2 x 15-pack; before handing it out, check how the varieties are divided and read their ingredients and allergen information.
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A pack in one named flavour to compare if you want consistent portions. The multipack is listed as 10 x 40 g; check that the flavour and portion size suit your group, and read the label before handing it out.
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A multipack in one named flavour if you already know what the recipients like. The format is 12 x 40 g; check the individual packs and ingredients before handing out portions.
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A format with one named variety if you want to choose the same portion size in advance. The pack is listed as 12 x 40 g; check the label for this variety if ingredients or allergens are important.
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A box to consider if you’re looking for several types of snack for a group. The name lists 20 items; before buying, check the flavour selection and whether each item is individually wrapped if you plan to hand them out straight away. Also read the ingredients for each variety.
Choose individually wrapped portions if you want to give visitors a pack each without serving them. Check how many portions the box contains and whether any mix suits the recipients; for example, Albert Heijn lists Lay's boxes with 20 and 30 bags.
Yes, as long as the individual portions, flavours and ingredients are suitable for the lunchboxes you’re packing. If you want the same contents every time, compare the mixed box with a multipack of one variety.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for every type of snack you plan to hand out, not just the front of the box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels; use the packaging of your chosen product to check its current ingredients.
As well as the number of packs, compare the total weight, the weight per portion and the selection of snacks. A mixed box with 20 or 30 items does not automatically have the same portion size or contents per variety as a uniform multipack.
