Organisers with a planned number of attendees
You want to have one sealed snack ready for each lunchbox or break. The number of bags, the weight per bag and the mix of flavours all determine whether a box will suit the way you plan to hand them out.
Who is this choice important for?
Caterers who need to provide allergen information
You’re handing out snacks to a group with different needs. With a variety box in particular, you need to be able to check the ingredients and allergens in each item and make the information accessible when handing out the snacks.
Buyers looking to match portions to their needs
You want to buy enough individual packs without relying solely on the size of the outer box. The weight and practicality of each portion matter too.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the planned number of servings, then compare the flavour mix, allergens and amount per portion. For example, Albert Heijn lists 30 bags for the Lay's Celebration Box and 20 bags of 40 g for Lay's Naturel; Jumbo lists 15 bags of 25 g for its sharing bag.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of sealed portions | Count the individual bags or tubes and compare the total with the number you plan to hand out. | If I’m preparing a sealed snack for every attendee, I don’t want to run out halfway through handing them out. Having enough individual portions is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour mix and allergens | Check how many of each flavour are included and check the allergens in each item, not just on the outer box. | When catering for a mixed group, I want to be able to work out which bags are suitable for which attendees and what information to provide. Around 33% of consumers prioritise choice and allergen information. |
| Amount per portion | Compare the weight per bag or tube and decide whether that size suits the lunchbox or break. | For a short break, I want to know how many crisps someone will actually get, even if two boxes contain the same number of packs. Portion size is the biggest consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a variety box as one product with a single ingredients list
Different bags in the same box can contain different ingredients and allergens. So the information on the front of the outer box alone isn’t enough to help you choose a suitable bag.
Check the labels on every item before handing the snacks out. Keep the information available to attendees. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority distinguishes between prepacked products with a label and products offered unpackaged.
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Comparing only the total weight of the box
A box containing more crisps doesn’t necessarily have more individual portions. For example, packs listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo range from 15 bags of 25 g to 20 bags of 40 g.
First count how many sealed packs you need, then check the weight of each one.
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Assuming every flavour appears equally often in the mix
The mix varies from box to box. For its Lay's Party Mix of 15 bags, Jumbo lists five bags of each of the three varieties; the balance may be different in another variety box.
If you need a certain number of bags in a particular flavour, check the contents of the box you’ve chosen.
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Waiting until the day of the event to check your order
A picture of a multipack doesn’t tell you which packaging you’ll actually receive or how long the contents will keep.
When your order arrives, check the number of bags, the best-before date and the labels on the pack you’ve received.
Brands and ranges to consider
Lay's
Albert Heijn lists both a Lay's Naturel 20-pack and a Celebration Box with 30 mixed bags. The right option depends on the choice of flavours you want and the number of portions you need.
- For the Celebration Box, Albert Heijn specifies which types of snacks are included.
- For a variety box, check the ingredients and allergens in each item.
Pringles
The Original 12-pack listed by Albert Heijn contains 12 individual tubes of 40 g. This is a different type of packaging from individual bags of crisps.
- The number of tubes and the weight per tube are clearly stated.
- Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens; the product may contain milk and soya.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, the Jumbo Chips Uitdeelzak Paprika & Naturel contains 15 bags of 25 g. This option is suitable when two flavours are enough for your event.
- The number of bags and the weight per bag are stated.
- Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for this multipack; check the packaging when using it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists product information for several Lay's multipacks and the Pringles Original 12-pack. Compare the individual products, rather than just looking at the range as a whole.
- The product pages mentioned list quantities and, where applicable, the number of bags per flavour.
- Albert Heijn states that product information may change; check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you receive.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s range of crisps and snacks. For a conference, only choose a pack with a number of individual portions that fits your plans.
- Lidl offers a variety of crisp flavours in this range.
- For the individual crisps shown, Lidl lists in-store sales; check the pack format before planning to use them as a multipack.
Crisps multipacks at Joybuy
These packs provide individual snacks for a lunchbox or conference break: variety boxes for a choice of flavours and single-flavour packs for even distribution. Match the number of portions and the information on the pack you receive to your group.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 × 15 bags
For handing out a mixed box containing 30 individual bags.
Before handing them out, check how many bags of each variety are included and read the allergen information for each item.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 bags
A variety pack for an event where 15 individual bags are enough.
If you need a minimum number of bags in a particular variety, check the flavour breakdown on the pack. Also check the allergens on each bag.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
A variety box for handing out 20 individual snacks of different types.
Joybuy describes the contents as a selection of potato crisps and corn crisps. Before handing them out, check the number of each item and its allergens on the packaging.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For handing out one individual tube of Original to each of 12 attendees.
According to Joybuy’s product information, this variety contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk and soya. Check the label when handing it out.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For ten equal portions, if this single flavour suits your plans.
According to the product name, all the bags are the same size at 40 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before serving them.
Frequently asked questions
How many crisps multipacks do I need for a conference?
First, count how many individual snacks you want to hand out, then divide that number by the number of bags or tubes in each multipack. If every attendee is to receive one sealed pack at a serving, plan for the number of attendees and check that the portion size is suitable.
Is a mixed snack box suitable for every attendee?
No. The flavours and ingredients may vary from one item to another. Check how many bags of each variety are in the box you’ve chosen and read the allergens on the labels before attendees choose a snack.
What allergen information should I have available when handing out snacks?
For prepacked products, allergen information is on the label. For products offered unpackaged, consumers must be given this information in another way, according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. Make sure attendees can access the information for the product being served, and remember that items in a variety box may differ.
Can I use the online ingredients information for my order?
Use it to compare products, but check the labels on the packs you receive before handing out the snacks. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information may change.
How should I store the multipacks until the conference?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and keep the labels with the bags or tubes. That way, when handing out the snacks, you can refer to the product and allergen information for the items you actually received.