TV viewers who want to portion out snacks
With individual packets, everyone can help themselves to a portion without passing round a large bag. Check how many grams each packet contains before deciding how many you need.
Who are multipacks useful for?
Groups with different flavour preferences
A mixed box offers several flavours or types of snack. Read the contents list: a mix featuring Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos doesn't contain only potato crisps.
Shoppers comparing labels
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values influence your choice, check the label for each variety. The contents can vary within a mixed box.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether individual portions, several flavours or specific ingredients matter most to you. Then compare multipacks by checking what's in each pack.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning | The number of packets and the weight of each one; packets in a mixed box may come in different sizes. | If I want to give everyone their own packet, I need to know how many portions the box actually contains. This is the main consideration for around 44% of consumers. |
| Different flavours | Which flavours and types of snack are included, and how many packets there are of each variety. | If people at the table have different preferences, I want to offer a choice without opening a separate large bag of each flavour. This variety matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional values | Ingredients and allergens for each variety, plus nutritional values per 100 g and, where listed, per packet. | When the ingredients determine my choice, I don't want to assume that every packet in the mix contains the same things. Around 23% of consumers put this label information first. |
Common mistakes
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Counting packets and nothing else
Two boxes with the same number of packets don't necessarily contain the same amount of crisps. Packet weights can also vary within a mixed box.
Compare the number of packets, the weight of each one and the total weight with the number of portions you want to serve.
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Assuming a mixed box contains only potato crisps
Albert Heijn's Lay's Celebration Box also contains Cheetos and Doritos. So a familiar brand name on the box doesn't tell you which type of snack is in every packet.
Read the full list of contents. If you want one specific type, check whether a single-flavour multipack would suit you better.
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Assuming a product listing means it's currently available
Jumbo's listing for Pringles Original 12 x 40 g stated that the product was no longer part of its online range; Lidl's multipack was shown as available in store only.
Check where your chosen pack is available shortly before you go shopping.
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Checking just one label in a flavour mix
Ingredients and allergens can differ between snack varieties. So the information on one packet doesn't necessarily apply to the rest of the box.
Check the information for each relevant variety on the box or individual packet.
Brands and retailers to consider
These examples show the types of packaging you can compare; a brand or retailer being mentioned doesn't indicate whether every product is currently available.
Lay's
Worth considering if you're choosing between single-flavour packets and a mixed box for a group.
- Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as 20 x 40 g; Albert Heijn lists a Celebration Box with 30 packets.
- A mixed box may also contain Cheetos and Doritos, with different types of snack and packet weights.
Pringles
An option to consider if you prefer individual tubes to packets.
- Jumbo listed Pringles Original as a multipack of 12 tubes, each containing 40 g.
- Jumbo's listing stated that the product was no longer part of its online range and named wheat as an allergen. Check availability and the label on the pack you choose.
Smiths
Worth considering if you'd like to look at another type of snack alongside classic potato crisps.
- Jumbo listed Smiths Sticks Barbecue and Paprika in 100 g packs.
- A 100 g pack of sticks doesn't serve the same purpose as individually wrapped portions, so check the packaging format.
Albert Heijn
A retailer to look at if you want to compare Lay's mixed boxes with individual packets.
- Albert Heijn lists a Mega Box with 20 items and a Celebration Box with 30 packets, along with details of their contents.
- Compare the varieties in each box: the number of items alone doesn't tell you which snacks or portion sizes you'll get.
Jumbo
A retailer where you can compare single-flavour sharing packets with other snack packs.
- Jumbo lists products including Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as 20 x 40 g.
- A product page being visible doesn't always mean you can still order the item online; check its current status.
Lidl
A retailer to consider if you're looking for a mixed pack of small packets.
- Lidl listed a multipack with 15 different packets for sale in store.
- Check the pack in store for the exact flavours, weights and nutritional information before comparing it with other boxes.
Crisps multipacks on Joybuy
These multipacks offer individual packets or tubes for a TV dinner. Compare the packs by portion size and contents: some contain one flavour, while others include several types of snack.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps, 2 x 15 packets
For a TV dinner where you want to serve individual portions and a variety of snacks. The mix also contains corn snacks, so it isn't a box of potato crisps only; check how many of each variety are included if everyone wants a particular flavour.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out individual packets and has already chosen Thai Sweet Chili. The pack contains 10 packets of 40 g; this variety doesn't offer a mix for people with different flavour preferences.
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Lay's, Cheetos and Doritos Mega Box, 20 items
For people who like to choose from different snacks. The box contains 20 items, including potato crisps and corn snacks; check how many of each type are included and the packet weights if these matter when sharing them out.
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Pringles Original, 12 x 40 g
For anyone who prefers handing out individual tubes rather than packets and wants to serve one flavour. This multipack contains 12 tubes of 40 g. Check the label if you have relevant allergies; Jumbo's listing for Pringles Original names wheat.
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Lay's and Doritos Chill Box, 12 packets
For a TV dinner with individual portions and different flavour preferences. The mix contains 12 packets; check the weight and the number of packets per flavour if you want to portion them out in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How many packets do I need for a TV dinner?
Start with the number of people and how many times you plan to serve crisps, then compare both the number and weight of the packets. Albert Heijn lists a Lay's Celebration Box with 30 packets; Jumbo lists Lay's Ready Salted and Paprika as 20 x 40 g. So the packet count alone doesn't tell you how much crisps the pack contains.
Does a mixed multipack contain only potato crisps?
Not always: Albert Heijn's Lay's Celebration Box also contains Cheetos and Doritos. Check what's included in each variety if you want to serve only potato crisps or are expecting particular flavours.
What should I check for allergens in a flavour mix?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for every variety someone plans to eat, not just the box as a whole or one packet. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists allergens among the information that must appear on a food label where applicable.
Do I need to store packets and tubes from a multipack differently?
Follow the storage and best-before information on the pack you choose. Jumbo's listing for Pringles Original advised storing it in a cool, dry place and said to check the packaging for the best-before date; follow the instructions on the variety you buy.