Stock-up shopper who checks the quantity
You’re replenishing your crisps for several occasions at home. A large bag works best if you eat the same flavour regularly and are likely to finish the pack once opened.
Who does the packaging make a difference for?
Household looking to divide up portions
You want individual bags to take with you or share with your household and guests, without having to open a sharing bag each time.
Shopper who compares labels
You check the ingredients and allergens in each type of snack, or compare nutritional values such as salt and saturated fat per 100 g.
What should you look for when choosing?
When topping up your snacks, first decide whether you’re likely to finish the pack, need individual portions or are choosing based on the label. Then consider whether a variety of flavours would be useful.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Finishing the pack | Check the net weight and think about how often you’ll eat from the opened bag. | I want to stock up on one flavour for several snack breaks, but don’t want to be left with a half-full bag. Around 36% of consumers prioritise getting a useful amount. |
| Individual portions | Check the number of bags or tubes and the amount in each one. | If I want to take crisps with me or share them out, I don’t want to open a large bag every time. For around 29% of consumers, portioning comes first. |
| Label information | Read the ingredients and allergens for each type of snack; compare nutritional values per 100 g. | If I have an allergy, I want to know what’s in each part of a mix. To compare nutritional values, I look at the figures per 100 g. Around 21% of consumers give label information top priority. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which flavours and types of snacks are actually in the pack. | When entertaining guests with different preferences, I want to be able to offer more than one flavour. For around 14% of consumers, variety makes the difference. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the size of the pack
A large sharing bag is only practical if the amount suits the occasions you’re stocking up for.
Compare the net weight with how much you expect to use, and choose individual portions if sharing or taking them with you matters more.
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Assuming a snack mix contains just one type of crisp
According to Jumbo, Lay’s Party Mix contains both potato crisps and a cheese-flavoured corn snack. Ingredients and allergens may therefore vary between the different items.
For a mix, read the contents list and check the label for each type of snack, especially if you’re buying for someone else.
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Relying on an old product description
The ingredients, pack contents and availability of a specific product may change.
Check the latest product information before buying, then read the label on the pack when it arrives.
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Reading only the front of the pack
A flavour description doesn’t show how products differ in their ingredients and nutritional values.
Use the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g to compare products. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using the same basis for comparison.
Brands and retailers to consider
Lay’s
The retailer examples below include both a large bag of one flavour and individual bags for sharing.
- Jumbo lists Lay’s Naturel as a 300 g bag and Party Mix as a pack of 15 bags.
- Party Mix also contains a cheese-flavoured corn snack; check the contents of each type.
Pringles
Pringles Original is an option if you’re looking for individual small tubes.
- Albert Heijn lists an Original 12-pack of 12 x 40 g and describes the tube as resealable.
- Check the current label for wheat and gluten, as well as any milk and soya warnings.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks Paprika is an individual snack bag, not a confirmed multipack option in this comparison.
- Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Paprika in a 100 g pack.
- The product information lists milk and sulphites; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
Albert Heijn
Here, Albert Heijn is a retailer where you can browse different portion packs, rather than a crisp brand.
- The range shown includes Lay’s multipacks and Pringles tubes.
- Check the current contents and availability of the specific pack you choose.
Jumbo
Here, Jumbo is a retailer where you can find both large bags and individual bags for sharing.
- The product pages mentioned list Lay’s Naturel 300 g, Lay’s Party Mix and Smiths Sticks Paprika 100 g.
- Check the contents and current label information on the pack you’re actually buying.
Lidl Snack Day
According to Lidl, Snack Day is its own brand, with a range of crisps and snacks for shoppers topping up their supplies in store.
- Lidl lists several flavours in the Snack Day range.
- Check in store which pack types and flavours are available at the time.
Crisps multipacks and portion packs at Joybuy
These products focus on individual portions and mixed snack supplies. If you’d rather buy one large sharing bag, the amount in the pack and how much you expect to use remain the key considerations.
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Lay’s Fun Mix Box, 2 x 15-pack
An option if you want to hand out individual snacks and keep a variety of types at home.
The product name lists 2 x 15 pieces. Check the contents of each type and the current label before choosing the mix for others.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix to consider if you want snacks to share when topping up your supplies.
The pack lists 180 g. Check the ingredients and label for the mix before buying.
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Pringles Original, 12 x 40 g
Individual tubes are handy for taking with you or spreading snacks over several occasions.
According to the product name, this multipack contains 12 tubes of 40 g. If you have an allergy, check the current label, including for wheat and gluten.
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Lay’s Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
Worth considering if you want individual portions but prefer to stick to one flavour.
The product name lists 10 packs of 40 g. Read the ingredients and allergens on the current label before buying.
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Lay’s Doritos Chill Box, 2 x 12 pieces
A mixed pack for anyone who wants to hand out a variety of snacks or keep them in stock.
The product name lists 2 x 12 pieces, while the description also refers to 12 bags. So confirm the total contents and check the label for each type of snack before buying.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a sharing bag with a crisps multipack?
Compare the net weight, number of portions and types of snacks in the pack. Then think about whether you mainly want to share one flavour at home, or take individual bags with you and hand them out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g.
Are all the bags in a snack mix the same type of crisp?
Not always. Jumbo describes Lay’s Party Mix as a combination of potato crisps and a cheese-flavoured corn snack. Read the contents list if you’re looking specifically for crisps or need to check the ingredients in each type of snack.
When should I check allergens in crisps?
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current label of every product before buying and, for a mix, check each type of snack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients list of prepacked foods.
Which label information is useful when restocking?
Check the net weight, ingredients, allergens and best-before date. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists these as details found on labels for prepacked foods. Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.