Anyone who wants to take a single portion
A single bag is handy for a snack on the go if you don’t want to carry an opened large bag. Check how many grams the bag you choose contains.
Who are small packs of crisps useful for?
Families and groups who like a bit of variety
A multipack lets you split the bags between people or different occasions. If you choose a variety pack, check the ingredients and allergens in each flavour before handing the bags out.
Anyone who wants to check the label first
If ingredients, allergens or salt content influence your choice, compare the exact flavours. The nutrition information per 100 g and the amount in each bag help you work out what you’re actually taking with you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Multipack of individual bags
Ideal for: several snack breaks or people you want to take individual bags for.
Bear in mind: the amount, and the ingredients in a variety pack, can differ from bag to bag.
Small single bag
Ideal for: one snack break when you don’t need a multipack.
Bear in mind: one bag won’t give you extra portions or flavours for later.
Larger bag or tube
Ideal for: sharing or helping yourself to as much as you like at home.
Bear in mind: the pack doesn’t divide the crisps into individual portions in advance.
| What to consider | Check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Number of bags and grams per bag; with a variety pack, check which flavours you’re taking. | When I’m out shopping, I want to be able to grab one bag without opening a large pack. For around 50% of consumers, having portions pre-divided is the top priority. |
| Right total amount | Total weight and number of bags, matched to the number of snack breaks. | If I’m buying for several occasions, I want to know how many individual portions are in the pack. For around 30% of consumers, getting the right total amount matters most. |
| Ingredients and nutrition information | Ingredients and allergens for each flavour; compare salt per 100 g with the amount you’re taking. | With a variety pack, I want to be able to check what’s in each bag before handing them out. For around 20% of consumers, this label information is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every flavour in a variety pack is the same
According to Jumbo’s product information, the Bugles variety in Lay's Party Mix contains milk. An ingredient or allergen in one variety doesn’t automatically tell you what’s in the other bags.
Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour before sharing a variety pack with someone who has an allergy.
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Counting a large bag as one portion
With a large bag, you decide how much to have. Voedingscentrum gives an average of 0.53 g of salt per 40 g of crisps; the figure for a particular flavour may differ.
Decide in advance how much you want to take, and check the nutrition table for the salt content of the product you choose.
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Relying on an old product listing
An old listing won’t tell you which pack or label information you’ll find on your next shopping trip.
Check the pack you choose again for its weight, ingredients, allergens and best-before date.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Jumbo lists Lay's Party Mix, with 15 bags of 27.5 g, as well as a Paprika multipack with 20 bags of 40 g.
- Party Mix combines paprika, ready salted and Bugles for anyone who wants to share out different types.
- Check the allergens for each variety in Party Mix; Jumbo lists milk in the Bugles variety.
Pringles
Jumbo lists 165 g Pringles tubes in a range of flavours.
- A tube could be a good choice if you want to share crisps at home.
- A 165 g tube doesn’t contain individual portions pre-divided for you.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Barbecue and Sticks Paprika in 100 g bags.
- The 100 g bag gives you a clear total amount to compare with smaller packs.
- This isn’t a multipack of individual portions.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo lists a multipack of paprika and ready salted crisps: 15 bags of 25 g.
- The individual bags are handy for taking with you or saving for different snack breaks.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour separately.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl’s own-brand Snack Day range includes crisps and other snacks.
- If you’re considering different flavours, you can look for a suitable pack in the Snack Day range.
- If you’re looking for individual bags to grab and go, check the pack for the number of bags and the amount in each one.
Crisp packs on Joybuy
This selection includes multipacks for several snack breaks and one single bag for when you’re on the go. It doesn’t include a larger sharing bag or tube.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box crisps, 15 pieces
For anyone who wants to split crisps across several snack breaks. The product name states that the pack contains 15 pieces; check the contents and allergens of your chosen variety before taking a bag with you.
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Pringles Original crisps, 12 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to take or share several individual packs of the same flavour. The product name lists 12 packs of 40 g each; check the label for allergens.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
For anyone who wants to enjoy a mix of crisps over several occasions. The product name states a total weight of 180 g; check the pack if the amount in each individual bag is important to your choice. According to the product information, the mix contains soya.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box crisps, 12 pieces
For anyone who wants to split a multipack between people or snack breaks. The product name lists 12 pieces; check the weight, ingredients and allergens on the pack for each variety.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili crisps, 40 g
For one snack break when you don’t want to take a multipack. This is one 40 g bag; according to the product information, this variety contains wheat (gluten) and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Are individual bags more convenient than a large bag when you’re out and about?
Yes, if you want to take a pre-portioned snack with you or split crisps between several people. With a large bag or tube, you decide how much to take; just remember to check the weight of each individual bag.
How do I compare multipacks with a single bag?
Compare the number of bags, the weight per bag and the total contents with the number of snack breaks you’re buying for. A single bag is suited to one occasion; a multipack gives you several individual packs.
What should I look out for if someone has an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergens on the pack for each flavour you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen information on labels; with a variety pack, don’t assume one ingredients list applies to every flavour.
What label information can help me choose?
Check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date and nutrition information for the exact pack. Your Europe lists this information under EU rules for prepacked foods; to compare portions, you’ll also need the weight of each individual bag.