Choose multipacks with one flavour if you want to prepare one portion per child for a day out; a mixed box is better when tastes differ. Then compare the number of bags, the weight of each bag and, for a mix, the contents and allergen information for each type of snack.
For a car journey, playdate or day out, you can pack individual bags without having to share out a large bag while you’re there. Albert Heijn, for example, lists Lay's multipacks of 20 × 40 g; check that the number of bags and their weight suit your plans.
If not everyone wants the same snack, a mixed box gives you a choice of individual bags. The Lay's Family Mix listed by Jumbo contains three types of snack; check how many bags of each type are in the box.
If you have an allergy or another reason to avoid certain ingredients, the information for each variety matters more than the brand name on the box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling for prepacked foods; if you’re buying a mix, check the information for each individual snack too.
First decide whether easy sharing is your priority or whether you need a choice of flavours. Then compare what’s in the box and, if you have specific ingredient requirements, read the label for each variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the bags and check the weight of each one. | If I want to give everyone their own bag for a day out, the box needs to contain enough individual portions. This convenience is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which types of crisps and snacks are in the box, and how many bags there are of each type. | When tastes differ, I want to offer a choice without carrying several large bags. Around 31% of consumers give variety top priority. |
| Quantity | Compare the number of bags, the total weight and the weight of each bag. | For a holiday lasting several days, I want to know how many separate snack times a box will cover. This is the first thing around 23% of consumers consider. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional value for each variety; compare per 100 g or per portion if needed. | If an ingredient needs to be avoided or I want to compare nutritional values, I want to be able to assess the exact variety. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this information. |
Two boxes with the same number of bags may contain different amounts in each one. So the number of items alone tells you little about the portions you’ll be taking with you.
As well as the number of bags, check their individual weight and the total contents of the box.
Ingredients can vary between varieties. For example, the Pringles Paprika 12-pack on Albert Heijn’s product page lists wheat and milk, and says that it may contain soya; this doesn’t tell you anything about other flavours.
If you’re buying a mix, check the allergen information for each individual variety on the packaging.
Nutritional value depends on the contents and portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 216 kcal, 13,4 g of fat and 0,45 g of salt for 40 g of plain crisps; other varieties may differ.
Use the nutritional information for the product you choose and check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion.
Offers both multipacks in a single flavour and mixed boxes of individual snacks.
An option if you’re looking for individual packs of a particular crisp flavour.
Offers an own-brand box for anyone who wants to combine ready salted and paprika crisps in one multipack.
Lidl’s own snack brand, worth considering if you’re looking at a crisp multipack in store.
These packs offer individual portions in a single flavour or combine several snacks in one box. If you’re choosing a mix, look beyond the number of bags and check the types of snacks and the information on their labels.
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A single flavour for preparing individual portions for several snack times. The pack lists 12 items of 40 g; if you have an allergy, check the label for this exact variety.
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For anyone who wants to hand out the same flavour to everyone on a day out. This multipack lists 10 bags of 40 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
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A mixed box to take along when not everyone wants the same snack. Check how the 15 items are divided between the different types, how much each bag weighs and which ingredients each type contains.
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A box of snacks from different brands for a group with varied tastes. For this 20-item pack, check the quantities, weights and allergens for each type.
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A mix for anyone who wants to take different snacks along in one box. Check which types are included in the 12-item pack, how much each bag weighs and what the labels say for each variety.
It varies from pack to pack. Albert Heijn, for example, lists Lay's bags of 40 g and a Pringles Paprika 12-pack with 40 g in each pack too. For the box you choose, check both the number of bags and the weight of each one.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for each type of snack on the packaging, not just the front of the box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling for prepacked foods; ingredients can vary between varieties.
Check the current packaging every time you buy, especially if ingredients or allergens affect your choice. Before taking a mix for several children, also compare the types of snacks and how they’re divided up.
