Lunchbox and on-the-go snackers
You want to pop an individual pack into a lunchbox or bag without having to decant the crisps first. Albert Heijn lists examples from Lay’s and Pringles in individual 40 g bags or tubes.
Who are these packs useful for?
People who want variety to share
You’re putting snacks out for several people with different tastes. According to Albert Heijn, Lay’s Family Box and Mega Box contain 15 and 20 bags respectively, with a variety of snacks.
Stocking up and portioning it yourself
You don’t need individual packs and would rather portion out a large bag yourself. Alongside a Lay’s Ready Salted 20-pack with 40 g bags, Albert Heijn also lists a 300 g Ready Salted value pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need individual packs, then choose between a single flavour and a selection. Next, check the contents of each bag or tube and, for a mixed box, the ingredients in every variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Compare the number of packs with the weight of each bag or tube; don’t just count the number of items. | For a lunchbox, I want to take one pack with me without having to portion it out. Around 42% of consumers prioritise individual portions. |
| Variety for sharing | Check which types of snack are in the box, and check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. | When I’m sharing, I want to offer a choice without opening several large bags. For around 33% of consumers, variety is the main priority. |
| Portioning it yourself | Decide whether you need individual packs or would rather portion out a larger bag at home. | For snacks at home, I don’t mind portioning them myself, as long as I don’t need a separate bag for every occasion. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes
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Counting only the number of bags
A box with lots of items doesn’t tell you how many crisps are in each bag. That matters if you want to pack one portion for each lunchbox in advance.
Check the weight of each individual bag or tube, as well as the contents of the whole box.
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Assuming every snack in a selection has the same ingredients
A mixed box can contain different types of snack, so the ingredients in one bag may not be the same as those in another.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the ingredients and allergen information for every variety included, not just the flavour names on the front.
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Treating a large bag like a lunchbox multipack
A large bag doesn’t contain snacks in individual packs. You’ll need to portion out the contents yourself if you want to fill several lunchboxes.
Choose a multipack when individual packs are important; otherwise, only choose a large bag if portioning it yourself suits how you’ll use it.
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Assuming a familiar brand automatically means a multipack
A brand may appear in a crisp range without the products shown being individual snack bags. For example, Jumbo showed 100 g packs of Smiths sticks.
Check that the product you choose is actually a multipack, and find out how much each individual pack weighs.
Brands to consider
Lay’s
Worth considering for both single-flavour bags and mixed boxes to share.
- Albert Heijn lists a Ready Salted 20-pack with 40 g bags, a Family Box with 15 bags and a Mega Box with 20 bags.
- With a mixed box, you’ll need to check the contents and allergens of every snack included.
Pringles
An option if you’d rather take individual small tubes than flexible bags.
- Albert Heijn lists a Paprika 12-pack, with 40 g tubes.
- The Paprika variety listed contains wheat and milk and may contain soya; check the details for the flavour you choose.
Jumbo huismerk
A reference point if you’re considering a larger bag of crisps to portion out at home.
- Jumbo listed 250 g own-brand paprika crisps and 335 g crinkle-cut crisps.
- These are larger bags, not lunchbox multipacks with pre-portioned snacks.
Snack Day
A supermarket alternative for a mixed selection of snacks.
- Lidl lists a multipack with 15 bags of different varieties.
- Check the weight per bag, contents and allergens on the pack you choose; Lidl says the Snack Day flavours shown are available in store only.
Smiths
A reference point if you’re specifically looking for stick-shaped snacks.
- Jumbo showed Smiths Barbecue Sticks and Paprika Sticks, both in 100 g packs.
- The two packs shown are not multipacks with individual portions.
Crisp multipacks on Joybuy
These products offer individual bags, small tubes or mixed snack boxes for an afternoon break, lunchbox or sharing occasion. If you choose a selection, check the contents of the exact box before picking portions for different people.
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Lay’s Cheetos Doritos Mega Box Multipack, 20 pieces
A mixed box for sharing with people who have different tastes. Before portioning it out, check which varieties and allergens are in the exact box.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
Ideal if you want to take a single-flavour tube with you for each afternoon break. The pack contains 12 tubes of 40 g; if you have allergies, check the information on the exact pack.
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Lay’s Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
Handy for lunchboxes or breaks when you want individual bags of the same flavour. This multipack contains 10 bags of 40 g; check the allergens on the exact pack.
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Lay’s Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
A mixed box for anyone who wants to offer a choice of snacks when sharing. Check how many of each variety are in the box, the weight of each bag and which allergens are present in each variety.
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Lay’s Family Box, 15 pieces
A box of individual snacks to hand out during afternoon breaks. Before sharing out the bags, check the weight, ingredients and allergens for each variety included.
Frequently asked questions
Which crisp multipack is suitable for a lunchbox?
Choose a multipack where the weight of each individual bag or tube suits what you want to take with you. Albert Heijn lists examples of Lay’s Ready Salted bags and Pringles Paprika tubes at 40 g each; also check the dimensions of the pack you choose.
If I have an allergy, can I rely on the name of a mixed flavour?
No, check the allergen information for every variety included. A selection can contain different ingredients; for example, Albert Heijn says Pringles Paprika contains wheat and milk and may contain soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the label.
What label information can I check online?
Check the mandatory label information for the exact prepacked food, including its ingredients and allergens. Ondernemersplein says mandatory label information must also be available online and provided in Dutch.
How should I store a larger bag of crisps?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn says to store the 300 g Lay’s Ready Salted value pack in a cool, dry place; if you want individual snacks ready to go, you’ll need to portion out a large bag yourself.