Families taking snacks with them
For car journeys, days out or sleepovers, individual bags are handy: everyone gets their own portion, so there’s no need to open a large bag.
Who are sharing multipacks useful for?
Groups with different flavour preferences
A mixed box lets children and adults choose from several flavours. Check what’s inside, though: it may contain corn snacks as well as potato crisps.
Shoppers comparing pack sizes
If you’re looking for enough individual portions for a group, compare the number of bags and the weight of each one. Jumbo, for example, lists a sharing bag with 15 bags of 25 g.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether everyone needs their own bag and whether the group would like a choice of flavours. Then check the pack size and the labels.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Count the bags and compare the weight of each one. | If I want to give everyone their own snack for the journey, I don’t want to have to divide up a large bag on the spot. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours and snack types are in the box, and how many of each there are. | When several people are choosing from the same box, I don’t want everyone to have to pick the same flavour. An estimated 29% of consumers put variety first. |
| Quantity | Compare the number of portions, the weight of each bag and the total weight. | For a group, I want to know whether there are enough individual snacks, even if two boxes contain the same number of bags. For around 21% of consumers, pack size is their first consideration. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the current packaging for each snack. | If someone can’t eat certain ingredients, I need to know what’s in each bag. Around 14% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming all multipacks are the same size
A box with 15 bags of 25 g has a different total weight from one with 15 bags of 27.5 g or 20 bags of 40 g.
Compare the number of bags, the weight of each bag and the total weight.
-
Assuming a mixed box contains only potato crisps
According to product listings from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, some Lay's mixed boxes also contain corn snacks such as Bugles or Doritos.
Check what’s in the box if the snack type or flavour matters to someone in your group.
-
Relying only on allergen information online
Ingredients can vary between snacks in a mixed box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergens to be listed on the label of pre-packed food.
Check the current labels on each snack before eating. If someone has an allergy, don’t choose a pack if the necessary information isn’t clearly readable.
Brands to consider
Lay's
Offers both single-flavour bags and mixed sharing boxes.
- Jumbo’s Party Mix contains paprika, ready salted and Bugles Nacho Cheese in individual bags.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary between snacks in a mixed box.
Pringles
Original is available in a multipack of 12 tubes of 40 g.
- Every tube in this pack has the same flavour and a stated weight.
- This isn’t a variety pack. Joybuy’s product information for Original lists wheat and gluten; check the current label.
Jumbo
The own-label range includes a sharing bag with paprika and ready salted flavours.
- Jumbo lists this sharing bag as containing 15 bags of 25 g.
- There are only two flavours in this pack.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks in barbecue and paprika flavours as individual 100 g packs.
- An option if these are the specific type of snack you’re looking for.
- Check the pack format if you need individual portions for sharing.
Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own brand of savoury snacks.
- Worth a look if you’re shopping at Lidl for crisps or other savoury snacks.
- For a multipack, check the number of individual bags, the flavours and the weight of each bag.
Sharing multipacks at Joybuy
These packs contain individual portions for taking with you or sharing. The selection includes both mixed boxes and single-flavour multipacks. Pay particular attention to the stated quantities, portion weights and labels.
No image available
Lay's Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
A good choice for a group that wants to share different snacks. Check the weight of each bag if you want to compare portions with another box, and read the current labels if anyone has an allergy.
No image available
Pringles Original, 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to take or share individual tubes of the same flavour. This isn’t a mixed box; the product information for Original lists wheat and gluten. Check the current label if anyone has an allergy.
No image available
Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
For a group that wants individual bags of one chosen flavour. The pack contains 10 bags of 40 g. If you want to offer several flavours, this multipack on its own won’t give you any variety.
No image available
Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A mixed pack to share with others. Before buying, check the mix of snacks and the weight of each bag. If anyone has an allergy, read the labels for every variety.
No image available
Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
A box of individual snacks for a group to share. Check the mix of snack types and the weight of each pack if everyone needs a similar portion, and check the current labels too.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a mixed box or bags of one flavour?
Choose a mixed box if people want a choice of flavours or snack types; go for one flavour if everyone should have the same snack. With a mixed box, check how many bags there are of each type.
Are all sharing bags the same portion size?
No. Jumbo lists sharing bags of 25 g and 27.5 g, while other multipacks mentioned here contain 40 g portions. So check the weight of each bag, not just the number of pieces.
Where can I check the allergens in a mixed box?
Check the current labels on each snack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed food. The ingredients can vary between snacks in a mixed box.
How should I store the bags until our day out?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by or best-before date on the packaging. Jumbo says its paprika and ready salted sharing bag should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Does a smaller bag necessarily mean a lower calorie count?
No. Read the nutritional information for the product you choose and compare it with the weight of the bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 215 kcal and 13.1 g of fat for 40 g of crisps; this average doesn’t reflect the nutritional value of every variety.