Buying for a group
You’re bringing crisps for several people and want to know how many grams you’ll have in total. A sharing bag can work well if everyone is eating at the same time and you can provide bowls.
Which packaging works for you?
Making it easy to share
You want to hand out crisps without needing a bowl or portioning them in advance. Individual bags make this easier; check how many bags are in the pack.
Checking the label
You’re bringing snacks for people with different dietary requirements. You’ll want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each flavour, rather than relying on the name of a mixed pack.
What should you consider when choosing?
First, decide whether you’ll be sharing the crisps all at once or eating them at different times. Then check the contents and the label of the pack that best suits your plans.
Large sharing bag
Choose this if: everyone is eating at the same time and you can portion the crisps into bowls yourself.
Bear in mind: once the bag is open, you’ll need a plan for sharing the crisps and storing any leftovers.
Individual bags
Choose these if: people need to be able to grab their own bag while on the go or at different times throughout the day.
Bear in mind: a mixed pack may contain different flavours and ingredients, so check which bags are suitable for your group.
Resealable tube
Choose this if: you want a sturdier pack to take with you or don’t plan to eat all the crisps at once.
Bear in mind: resealable packaging doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients or allergens in your chosen product.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check the total net weight and think about how many people will be eating crisps at the same time. | I want to bring enough crisps for the whole group, rather than focusing only on the number of packs. For around 42% of consumers, having enough in the pack is the top priority. |
| Sharing | Check the number of bags, the contents of each bag and the ingredients in any mixed pack. | If everyone needs to be able to grab something on the go, I don’t want to have to serve crisps from a large bag first. Easy sharing is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label | Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact product; compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | When people in the group have different dietary requirements, I want to know what each product contains before offering it. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label is their main concern. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming all the bags in a mixed pack contain the same ingredients
A mixed pack can combine different types of snacks and ingredients. According to Jumbo, Lay's Party Mix contains milk and may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging. For mixed packs, check which information applies to each individual variety.
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Taking a large bag without a plan for leftovers
A sharing bag doesn’t come with pre-portioned servings. If the group will be eating at different times, think about how you’ll store the crisps once the bag is open.
Take bowls if you’ll be sharing the crisps all at once. Follow the storage instructions on the pack for any leftovers and seal an opened pack properly.
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Treating a ‘lower fat’ claim as the whole story
Albert Heijn compares the fat content of AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet with that of AH Ribbelchips naturel. This comparison alone doesn’t tell you anything about the other nutritional values or allergens.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact products, and check the ingredients list too if it’s relevant to your group.
Brands to compare
Lay's
Worth considering if you’re looking at a mixed pack with individual bags and different snacks.
- According to Jumbo, Lay's Party Mix contains 15 bags across three snack varieties.
- The same mixed pack contains milk and may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Check the pack you choose.
Pringles
Worth considering if you want to take tubes with you and open them at different times.
- The Pringles Original multipack described on Joybuy contains 12 resealable 40 g tubes.
- This Original variety contains wheat and gluten; it may contain traces of milk and soya. Read the label for the exact product.
Smiths
Worth considering if you want to offer sticks as well as regular crisps.
- Jumbo listed Smiths Sticks in barbecue and paprika flavours.
- The packs described were 100 g each; use the pack size to work out how many you’ll need for your group.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to compare different pack formats and varieties from a supermarket’s own brand.
- Albert Heijn describes products including a resealable Stapel op chips pack and AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet.
- Ingredients and nutritional information may vary by product; read the pack you actually choose.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to weigh up a regular bag against pre-portioned servings.
- Jumbo describes both own-brand crisps in a sharing bag and an assortment pack with 15 bags of 25 g each.
- The assortment pack contains milk. Check the ingredients and allergens if you’re buying for people with different dietary requirements.
Lidl Snack Day
Worth considering if you want to browse different crisps and savoury snacks at Lidl.
- Lidl lists plain, paprika, Bolognese and cheese and onion varieties among the Snack Day range.
- Compare the weight and label of each product you choose; a flavour name doesn’t tell you all the ingredients.
Joybuy products for sharing and taking with you
These products are handy for taking along and sharing festival snacks, from a mixed pack for a group to individual bags and tubes. Choose based on the number of people, how you want to portion the crisps and the label for the exact product.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 x 15-pack
An option if you want to hand out individual packs to a group.
The product name lists two packs of 15 pieces each. Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety on the current packaging.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mixed pack to take with you if you want to decide how to share the crisps with your group.
The stated total contents are 180 g. Check the current label if the ingredients or allergens matter to anyone in the group.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
A good choice if you want to hand out individual bags of the same flavour.
The product name lists 10 bags of 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergens for Thai Sweet Chili on the current packaging.
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Pringles Original, 12 x 40 g
An option if you want to take individual tubes with you or won’t be eating all the crisps at the same time.
According to the product description on Joybuy, this Original multipack contains 12 resealable 40 g tubes. The variety contains wheat and gluten; it may contain traces of milk and soya. Check the current label.
Frequently asked questions
When are individual bags handy for festival snacks?
Individual bags are handy when people need to be able to grab their own portion at different times. Check how many bags are in the pack and whether the flavours suit your group. If you’re sharing from bowls, a sharing bag may be simpler.
Should I check every variety in a mixed pack of crisps?
Yes. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact mixed pack and for each individual variety if that information is shown on the packaging. According to Jumbo, Lay's Party Mix contains milk and may contain cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Don’t assume another mixed pack has the same ingredients.
How should I store crisps left over after the festival?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal opened crisps properly. For the assortment pack and Lay's Party Mix described, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry place. Also check the best-before date on the pack you’re taking with you.
What does ‘lower fat’ mean for a variety of crisps?
It describes a comparison of fat content, not the full nutritional profile or whether the product is suitable for everyone. Albert Heijn specifically compares AH Ribbelchips naturel minder vet with AH Ribbelchips naturel. Also check the other nutritional information and ingredients for the exact product.