For handing out individual snacks
Individual bags are handy for staff rooms, waiting rooms or treats when everyone needs to be able to pick up their own pack. Check how many bags are in the box and the weight of each one.
Who is each type of pack useful for?
For offering a range of flavours
A mixed box may contain other savoury snacks as well as classic crisps. Check what's in the box: a mix of flavours doesn't necessarily mean it's made up entirely of potato crisps.
For checking ingredients and allergens
Ingredients may vary between snack types in a mixed box. So check the information on the pack you've chosen and on each individual item. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether everyone needs their own bag. Then choose between a set selection of flavours and more variety, and check the labels on the pack you actually buy.
Variety multipack
Best for: groups where everyone wants their own snack and not everyone wants the same flavour.
Consider: different snack types may also contain different ingredients and allergens.
Sharing bag with set flavours
Best for: a regular stash where ready salted and paprika offer enough choice.
Consider: there's less choice in a pack like this if you want other flavours or types of snack.
Resealable tube
Best for: people sharing from one pack and wanting to close it between snack breaks.
Consider: a tube doesn't provide a pre-packed individual portion for each person.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out and taking with you | Count the individual bags and compare the weight of each one. | If I'm handing out snacks in the waiting room or sending them with people, I want everyone to be able to pick up their own pack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise handing out individual portions. |
| Flavour variety | Check which flavours and types of snack are in the box, and how many of each there are. | When I'm stocking up for several people, I want to offer a choice without opening large bags. Around 29% of consumers prioritise variety. |
| Keeping your stash organised | Check the number of bags, the flavour selection and where the pack you've chosen is available. | If I want to top up regularly, I want to know in advance how many portions and which flavours I'll be bringing home. Around 21% of consumers put an organised stash first. |
| Label information | For each snack type, read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and nutritional information on the exact pack. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don't want to rely on the flavour name alone. Around 14% of consumers give checking the label top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every bag in a mix is the same
A mixed box may contain snacks with a range of different ingredients. For example, Albert Heijn lists milk, soya and wheat among the ingredients in some items in the Lay's Mega Box. So the information on one bag doesn't necessarily apply to the whole box.
Read the ingredients and highlighted allergens for each type of snack, especially if you're stocking up for several people.
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Assuming a product page guarantees stock
Where you can buy a product may vary. Lidl lists the crisps multipack it reviewed as available in store only. So a product page you looked at earlier won't tell you whether you can order or collect your chosen version now.
Just before buying, check whether the exact pack is available and whether you'll need to go to a shop to get it.
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Confusing a small bag with a nutritional recommendation
A small bag makes it easier to hand out snacks, but that doesn't tell you anything about their nutritional value. For an average 40 g portion of crisps, the Voedingscentrum lists 215 kcal, 13,1 g of fat and 0,53 g of salt, among other values. The figures for the product you choose may differ.
Compare the nutritional information for the specific product and check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion.
Brands and shops to consider
Lay's
Worth considering if you want to compare a set flavour of crisps with a mixed snack box from the same brand.
- Albert Heijn lists Lay's packs with twenty portions of Ready Salted or Paprika crisps, as well as a Mega Box containing a variety of snacks.
- For a mixed box, check the ingredients of each item, as allergens may vary between snacks.
Pringles
A tube is a different option from individual sharing bags. It's suited to sharing and closing between snack breaks.
- The Prawn Cocktail pack described by Joybuy is resealable.
- A shared tube doesn't divide the contents into portions for each person in advance. Also check the flavour and pack you've chosen when buying.
Jumbo
A shop to consider if you're looking for a sharing bag with a limited selection of classic flavours.
- Jumbo describes a sharing bag containing fifteen 25 g bags: eight ready salted and seven paprika.
- Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for this product. Check the label on the pack you buy.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl's own brand, for anyone who wants to browse different crisp flavours in store.
- Lidl describes a multipack containing fifteen bags.
- According to Lidl, the multipack described is available in store only. Check the contents of the pack you've chosen.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare sharing bags with different Lay's packs.
- Albert Heijn has a dedicated category for sharing bags and lists both set flavours and a mixed snack box.
- Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values can change. Compare the product information with the pack when it arrives.
Individually wrapped crisps at Joybuy
These multipacks are for anyone who wants to hand out or take crisps and other savoury snacks with them in individual packs. Note the difference between a mixed box and a multipack in a single flavour. The Pringles products below are individual packs, not a shared resealable tube.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
For anyone who wants to hand out individual snacks and offer a range of snack types.
Check the ingredients and allergens of each item, and see what portion weight applies to the pack you've chosen.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
For anyone considering a crisp mix for several snack breaks. Check how many individual bags are in the pack and which flavours it contains.
The stated weight is 180 g for the pack. Check the label if the weight of each small bag matters to you.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For individual snack breaks when one set flavour is all you need.
The product name lists ten 40 g bags. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack for this flavour.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to hand out paprika-flavoured Pringles in individual packs rather than sharing from one tube.
The product name lists twelve 40 g packs. Read the ingredients and allergens on the label for this version.
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Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to take or hand out individually wrapped portions in one flavour.
The product name lists twelve 40 g packs. For Original too, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you've chosen.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose small bags instead of a shared pack?
Small bags are handy for handing out or taking with you, as everyone gets their own pack. If the same group is sharing from one stash, a shared bag or resealable tube may also work, but it won't provide pre-portioned individual servings.
How should I store a stash of crisp bags?
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the pack you've chosen. Jumbo advises keeping its sharing bag in a cool, dry place and says the best-before date is on the back.
Should I check every snack type in a mixed box for allergens?
Yes. Check the ingredients and highlighted allergens for every snack type you plan to hand out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. Don't assume all the bags in a mix have the same ingredients.
What label information can help me choose pre-packed crisps?
Check the ingredients list and allergens, net quantity, date marking and nutritional information on the specific pack. Your Europe lists these as part of EU food labelling information for pre-packed foods. For a multipack, also check the information for each individual snack type.