Organisers handing out individual bags
If every visitor gets a sealed bag, the number of packs on the box tells you how many portions you’ll have ready. A box of 20 gives you more opportunities to hand them out than one containing 15.
Who is a multipack useful for?
Buyers who want to give visitors a choice
If people have different flavour preferences, a mixed box may be worth considering. Check which flavours and types of snacks are actually included, though: a mix may not contain the same number of bags of each variety.
Buyers who need to check labels
If you’re handing out snacks to visitors who may have food allergies, check the ingredients and allergens for each product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) notes that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by deciding how many bags you want to hand out. Then compare the flavour mix, the weight of each bag and the labels on the varieties you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of bags | Count the individual bags and compare the total with the number of times you expect to hand them out. | If I want to give lots of visitors their own bag, I need to know how many portions are in a box. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Flavour mix | Check which flavours and types of snacks are in the box, and how many bags of each variety you’ll get. | If people have different preferences, I don’t want to offer just one flavour. Around 29% of consumers are most concerned about flavour choice. |
| Portion size | Check the weight of each bag as well as the total weight of the pack. | I’m looking for bags that suit what I want to hand out to each visitor; the number of packs alone doesn’t tell me enough. Around 21% of consumers focus first on portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest label for each relevant variety. If you wish, compare nutritional values per 100 g. | If a visitor tells me they have a food allergy, I want to be able to check which individual product may be suitable. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing boxes by size alone
Boxes differ not only in the number of bags but also in the weight of each portion. More bags doesn’t automatically mean they’re the right size for what you want to hand out.
Compare both the number of individual portions and the weight per bag before deciding how many boxes you need.
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Assuming a mixed box will suit every visitor
A mixed box may contain products with different ingredients and allergens. With the Lay's Mega Box, for example, it’s worth paying attention to milk and soya.
Check the ingredients and allergens for each item on the latest packaging. If someone has a known allergy, only hand out a product you’ve checked individually.
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Trusting an old product page over the label
The packaging you receive is the best source of ingredient information for the products you’ll actually be handing out.
When your order arrives, check the packaging, best-before date, ingredients and allergens before giving the bags to visitors.
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Thinking a small bag is an essential part of lunch
An individual bag is convenient to hand out, but crisps aren’t an essential part of a lunchbox.
If you like, offer crisps as a snack without presenting the portion pack as a nutritional benefit.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Lay's
The 20-piece Mega Box and the Family Box with 15 sharing bags are options to consider if you want to offer a choice of snacks.
- These boxes combine individual bags with a variety of snacks.
- For a mixed box, check what’s included and the allergens in each item; don’t rely on the number of packs alone.
Pringles
Pringles Original is available in formats including a multipack of 12 individual 40 g portions.
- You can easily count the portions and check the weight of each one in advance.
- This Original pack offers just one flavour. Joybuy’s product information lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya; check the label on the pack you buy.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo offers a sharing pack with paprika and ready salted crisps: 15 bags of 25 g.
- The number of bags, portion weight and two listed flavours make it easy to see what’s included.
- If you want to offer more flavours, compare the contents with those of another mixed box.
Multipacks and sharing bags at Joybuy
These packs contain individual bags that you can hand out at a Christmas market. Note the difference between mixed boxes, single-flavour packs and larger 100 g bags.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For handing out to visitors who can choose from a range of snacks. The box contains 20 individual packs. Check the latest flavour mix and the label on each item, paying particular attention to milk and soya.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A mixed selection if you want to hand out 12 individual bags. Before handing them out, check the weight of each bag and the ingredients and allergens in the varieties in the box.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone wanting to offer 12 individual portions of one flavour. The product information lists wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya. If anyone has allergies, check the label on the pack you buy.
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Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
A mixed box if you want to hand out 15 individual bags. Before choosing, check which varieties are included, then check the portion size and allergens on the packaging of each bag.
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Takis Blue Heat Corn Chips, 18 × 100 g
For anyone wanting to hand out 18 individual bags of one variety. At 100 g per bag, this pack calls for a different approach from smaller sharing bags. Check that the portion and spicy flavour are right for you, and read the latest label if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How many multipacks do I need to hand out crisps?
Work it out using the number of individual bags and the number of times you expect to hand them out, not just the box weight. Divide the number of bags you expect to need by the number in each multipack, then round up. Also check that the portion size suits your plans.
When should I choose a mixed box of crisps rather than one flavour?
Choose a mix if you want to offer visitors a range of flavours; one flavour is simpler if that’s all you need. For a mixed box, check the actual contents and the ingredients of each item, as they may differ.
How do I check for allergens in a crisps multipack?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the products you’re handing out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that mandatory labelling covers 14 allergens. For a mixed box, check each relevant bag individually.
Are small bags of crisps essential for a lunchbox?
No, crisps aren’t an essential part of a lunchbox. Individual bags can still be handy if you want to give each person a snack.