Sharing lunch with a group
If everyone is reaching into the same bag at once, the number of people eating and the net weight matter more than the words ‘sharing bag’. Jumbo lists, among other things, plain and ridged crisps in bags of 250 to 335 g.
Who is this choice for?
Commuters carrying crisps in a bag
A tube may be an alternative if the shape of the pack matters when you’re travelling. Jumbo lists Pringles Original in a 165 g tube; compare that weight with how much you actually want to share.
People who check the label before sharing
If someone in the group needs to be mindful of ingredients or allergens, there’s more to consider than flavour and bag size. Check the details on the exact pack, along with the net weight and nutritional information.
What should you look for in crisps for eating on the go?
First, decide whether the group will open one pack to share or would rather take individual packs. Then check the net weight, the type of crisps you want and the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Enough to share | Compare the net weight with the number of people eating from the pack at the same time. | When we’re sharing straight away as a group, I want enough crisps to put out without being left with an unnecessarily large opened bag. Having enough to share is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Carrying and sharing | Choose between a sharing bag, a tube or individual packs, and consider what you’ll need to carry once they’re open. | If everyone is eating the crisps at a different time, I want to be able to take or open the packs separately. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Flavour and shape | Check the flavour and whether they’re standard crisps, ridged crisps or another type. | For our shared lunch, I want to choose a flavour and texture the group will enjoy. Flavour and shape matter most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Label information | Read the ingredients and allergens; compare nutritional values per 100 g and, if shown, per serving. | If someone needs to avoid an allergen or wants to assess the nutritional value, I want to be able to read the information for that exact variety. This is the main buying requirement for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Relying on an old ingredients list when choosing for someone with an allergy
The ingredients in the variety you choose are what matter. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change, while the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the label.
Before buying or eating, read the pack for the exact flavour and variety the group will be having.
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Treating the whole sharing bag as one serving
The net weight of a sharing bag tells you how much is in the bag, not how much one person will eat. When you’re sharing straight away, you can work out how much there is per person by taking the number of people into account.
Decide in advance how much you want to put out; if you like, divide the crisps between bowls or napkins.
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Choosing based only on the shape of the pack
A tube, a large bag and a mix solve different carrying and sharing needs. The pack’s shape won’t tell you the ingredients or nutritional values of the crisps inside.
Choose a pack that suits the number of people and when you plan to open it, then check the net weight and the label.
Brands to consider
Pack sizes and packaging can vary between varieties of the same type of crisps. Use the brands mentioned as a starting point for finding a suitable product, not as a judgement of all their crisps.
Lay's
Jumbo lists Lay's Naturel in a 300 g bag; Albert Heijn also lists Lay's ridged crisps in various sizes.
- There are both standard plain crisps and ridged varieties to compare by size and flavour.
- A familiar brand name is no substitute for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the variety you choose.
Pringles
Jumbo lists Pringles Original in a 165 g tube, a different type of packaging from the sharing bags mentioned above.
- The tube is worth considering if carrying the crisps and opening packs separately are important to you.
- Compare the weight per tube with the number of people eating, and check the ingredients for the exact variety.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Paprika Chips in a 100 g pack.
- Sticks are another type to consider if the group fancies that shape and flavour.
- A 100 g pack isn’t the same as a large sharing bag, so choose a quantity that suits your group.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Ribbelchips naturel, 250 g, in its range.
- The 250 g variety mentioned gives you a specific size to consider for sharing straight away.
- Albert Heijn recommends reading the pack, as product information, including allergens and nutritional values, can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other things, its own 250 g plain crisps and 335 g plain ridged crisps.
- These two sizes give you a choice between standard and ridged crisps for a shared lunch.
- Check that the net weight, ingredients and nutritional values of each variety suit your group.
Lidl Snack Day
Lidl describes Snack Day as a brand offering crisps in a variety of flavours.
- The brand has a range of flavours to explore, so you can check the type and pack size in store.
- For ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of its food products, Lidl refers shoppers to the packaging.
Crisps for different ways of sharing
These Joybuy products include two 250 g bags, a multipack of tubes and a 180 g crisps mix. Before choosing, decide whether the group will open one pack at a time or spread the crisps over several eating occasions.
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g'woon plain ridged crisps, 250 g
A bag for sharing ridged crisps with others at lunchtime.
Net weight: 250 g. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the pack before sharing with your group.
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g'woon plain crisps, 250 g
A bag for a group who want to open and share standard plain crisps together.
Net weight: 250 g. Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the exact pack.
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Pringles Original, 3 × 165 g
Three individual tubes suit a group that doesn’t want to open everything at once.
The multipack contains three tubes of 165 g each, not one large sharing bag. Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety on the pack.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A crisps mix to consider if the group isn’t looking for just one bag of plain crisps.
Total net weight: 180 g. Check how the mix is packed and read the ingredients and allergens for each relevant variety.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a bag of crisps be for sharing at lunch?
Choose a pack size to suit the number of people eating and whether everyone will open the bag at the same time. Jumbo lists larger bags of 250 to 335 g; a different type of packaging may be more practical for a smaller group or if you’ll be eating at different times.
What information should I look for on a crisps label?
At the very least, check the ingredients, allergens, net weight, best-before date and nutritional values for the variety you’ve chosen. Ondernemersplein includes this information in its guidance on Dutch labelling rules for pre-packed food; any storage or usage instructions may also be relevant.
What should I check if someone in the group has an allergy?
Check the allergen information on the current pack of the exact crisps you want to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly listed on the label; don’t rely solely on the flavour name or a variety you’ve checked before.
Can I rely on an online product page for ingredients?
Use the packaging to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values before buying or eating. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, while Lidl refers shoppers to the packaging for this information on its food products.