Choose individual bags if you want to set aside separate portions or different flavours for several coffee breaks. Large bags are better if you prefer to share the crisps into bowls, while a multipack in one flavour is a good choice if everyone wants the same thing. For each pack, compare the total contents, the amount in each pack and the ingredients of every item. A multipack won’t necessarily suit what you’ll actually use.
If you want to divide crisps between several breaks or share them with others, individual bags can be more practical than one large, opened bag. The multipacks shown by Jumbo vary in the amount per bag, so check this before counting one bag as a single portion.
If you’re buying for several coffee breaks, consider the net weight, the number of packs and which flavours you’ll actually use. A pack with lots of items isn’t automatically convenient if some of them are left uneaten.
Ingredients can vary between items in a selection of flavours. Read the labels for each variety; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed in ingredient lists.
First decide whether you want individual portions, a bowl to share or several flavours. Then check the pack contents and the labels for the varieties you’ll be serving.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check the number of bags and the weight of each one. These can vary even between selections from the same brand. | If I want to set out one bag for each short break, its contents need to suit my plans. An estimated 24% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Usable supplies | Compare the net weight, the number of items and how much of the pack you expect to use. | For several breaks at home, I want enough to go round without being left with flavours no one chooses. For around 29% of consumers, having usable supplies is a priority. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours and types of snacks are included. A selection may contain corn snacks as well as potato crisps. | When I share crisps with others, I want to know if there’s something to suit their preferences. An estimated 18% of consumers say variety is their main priority. |
| Label and nutritional information | For each variety, read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g and, where provided, per portion. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or compare nutritional values, I can’t rely on the name of the selection alone. For around 29% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
You can’t compare fifteen small bags with a few large ones by counting the packs alone. The amount in each bag and the flavours also affect how much of a multipack you’ll use.
Compare the total net weight and the amount in each pack with the number of coffee breaks you’re planning.
A selection may contain different types of potato crisps and corn snacks, so ingredients and allergens can vary between items.
Read the current label for the full selection, as well as the information for each variety, especially if anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients.
An individual bag makes it easier to set out a specific amount, but it doesn’t tell you anything about the nutritional value on its own. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 215 kcal and 0.53 g of salt, among other values, for an average 40 g bowl of crisps; exact figures can vary between products.
Compare the nutritional information for the variety you’re buying and decide for yourself how many bags to put out for your break.
A product’s ingredients and nutritional values can change. This matters particularly if you’re expecting a specific flavour or recipe.
Check the physical packaging when your crisps arrive, before serving them.
Jumbo shows Lay's in large bags, individual bags and mixed multipacks.
For anyone looking for one consistent flavour in individual packs; packaging and contents vary between multipacks.
Smiths Sticks are a different type of snack from flat potato crisps; Jumbo shows, among other options, a 100 g Paprika pack.
Albert Heijn’s own brand includes packs with several bags or different products.
Lidl’s own brand includes a range of crisp flavours, including ready salted and paprika.
These products focus on pre-packed portions and selections to share over one or more coffee breaks. For a selection, check how much of each flavour is included; choose one flavour if you don’t need variety for your break.
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For anyone who wants to share a selection over several coffee breaks. According to the product name, the pack contains 15 items; check the label for details of the individual snacks.
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For anyone who wants to serve the same flavour over several breaks. According to the product name, this multipack contains 12 40 g packs in the Original flavour; check the current label if ingredients or allergens are important to you.
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For a coffee break with others when you want to serve a selection. According to the product name, the pack contains 180 g in total; check how it’s divided between the items if the amount in each bag matters to you.
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For a shared break when you want a variety of snacks. The product name describes a 20-item multipack; check the packaging to see how many of each type it contains.
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For anyone who wants individual packs for several breaks without a mix of flavours. The product name lists 10 bags of 40 g in the Thai Sweet Chili flavour; check the label for ingredients and nutritional information.
No, the smaller pack doesn’t change the nutritional value of the crisps themselves. It does make it easier to set aside an amount in advance. For the exact variety, compare the nutritional values per 100 g with the amount you’re serving.
Compare the net weight, the amount in each individual pack and the flavours you want to use. For example, Jumbo shows Lay's packs in different sizes and weights, so counting the bags alone won’t give you a complete comparison.
Store them according to the instructions on the packaging. For the Lay's Family Mix shown by Jumbo, the storage advice is to keep it in a cool, dry place. For another pack, follow its own label and check the stated best-before date.
Read the current ingredient and allergen information for every item in the selection, not just the name on the front. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed in the ingredients of pre-packed foods.
