Festival-goer with their own snack break
Wants to take a small bag or tube and snack without sharing a large bag with others. Jumbo describes sharing bags containing individual small bags; Pringles Netherlands lists several sizes of Original.
Which pack is right for you?
Group organiser catering for different tastes
Is looking for bags to share out and wants to check the ingredients and allergens in each variety. The Party Mix listed by Jumbo contains three different snacks.
Shopper comparing portion sizes
Wants to know in advance how much is in each bag and compares the nutritional information for their chosen variety per 100 g and per portion.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to take individual bags or share them on the spot. Then choose the flavours and pack size that suit you.
Multipack of small bags
Choose this if: several people want their own bag at different times.
Bear in mind: the number of bags alone doesn’t tell you how much is in each one; ingredients may vary in a mixed pack.
One small bag
Choose this if: you want to take one flavour for yourself without opening a larger pack.
Bear in mind: one bag doesn’t offer a choice of flavours for a group.
Large sharing bag
Choose this if: a group of people will be sharing crisps at the same time.
Bear in mind: the contents aren’t pre-portioned for each person.
Tube of stacked crisps
Choose this if: you want to take stacked crisps rather than a bag of loose crisps.
Bear in mind: the contents of one tube aren’t automatically divided into individual snack portions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions on the go | Number of bags and grams per bag; compare these with the number of people eating and snack breaks. | I want to be able to grab one bag without keeping a large pack open. For around 36% of consumers, having their own easy-to-carry portion comes first. |
| Flavours and allergens | Which varieties are in the mix, and which ingredients and allergens are listed on the packaging for each one. | When I’m buying for friends, I want to share out different flavours without assuming they all contain the same ingredients. For around 29% of consumers, choosing flavours and checking each variety are the main concerns. |
| Nutritional information | Fat and salt per 100 g and per portion, plus the amount you plan to eat. | I want to compare the nutritional value of the portion I’ve chosen, not just read a claim on the front. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Shape and flavour | Whether you’re choosing potato crisps, a different snack shape or stacked crisps, and which flavour is shown on the pack. | Once I’ve found a pack that suits my plans, I mainly choose the shape and flavour I want to eat. For around 14% of consumers, this is the most important factor in their choice. |
Common mistakes
-
Counting only the number of bags
Fifteen bags don’t tell you how many crisps each person gets. The Lay's Party Mix listed by Jumbo contains fifteen bags of 27.5 g each.
Compare the weight per bag with the number of people and the times you want to snack.
-
Assuming all the flavours are the same product
A mixed box can contain different types of snacks. For example, the Lay's Party Mix listed by Jumbo combines Original, Paprika and Bugles Nacho Cheese.
If you have allergies, check the ingredients and allergens for each variety on the current packaging.
-
Applying a nutritional claim to the whole range
A statement about a specific product range doesn’t necessarily tell you anything about the salt content, portion size or another variety.
Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re actually considering, per 100 g and per portion.
-
Overlooking visitor rules
Whether you can bring your own food and a particular type of packaging depends on the festival.
Check the visitor information for your event before you set off.
Brands compared
Lay's
Lay's offers a range that includes regular potato crisps, ridged crisps and mixed boxes.
- The Party Mix listed by Jumbo contains fifteen individual bags in three varieties.
- For a mixed box, check the ingredients for each type of snack; the name of the mix doesn’t tell you which allergens are in each variety.
Pringles
Pringles Original consists of stacked crisps in a tube. Pringles Netherlands lists sizes of 40 g, 70 g and 165 g.
- You can choose a tube size to suit your snack break.
- The product information for Pringles Original 12 x 40 g on Joybuy lists wheat and gluten; if you have an allergy or intolerance, check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
Smiths
Smiths Sticks are shaped snack crisps. Jumbo lists varieties including Paprika and Barbecue in 100 g packs.
- A different shape for anyone looking for something other than regular potato crisps.
- A 100 g bag isn’t the same as a multipack of individual portions.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has categories for sharing bags and crisps with less fat or salt.
- These categories make it easy to compare different pack sizes and varieties.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging, as ingredients and nutritional information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes sharing bags as packs containing several small bags and different flavours.
- The Lay's Party Mix listed by Jumbo shows how the number of bags, weight and flavours can vary within one box.
- Before choosing a box for a group, check the contents of each bag and the individual varieties.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Snack Day is Lidl’s range, which includes plain and paprika crisps.
- Another range to compare for flavours and pack sizes.
- Lidl lists the products mentioned as available in store only; check the packaging and availability there.
Products for individual snacks and groups
These Joybuy products are multipacks and mixed boxes for anyone who wants to take crisps or snacks individually or share them within a group. Compare the quantity per pack and, for mixed boxes, the contents of each variety.
Image unavailable
Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to spread the same flavour across several individual snack breaks. The product name lists ten packs of 40 g; if you have allergies, check the current label.
Image unavailable
Pringles Texas BBQ Sauce Potato Chips, 12 x 40 g
For anyone who wants to take individual packs in the Texas BBQ Sauce flavour. The product name lists twelve units of 40 g; check the ingredients for this variety on the label rather than comparing them with Pringles Original.
Image unavailable
Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mixed pack to consider if you want to share snacks within a group. The product name lists a total weight of 180 g; check the packaging for the contents of the individual bags and the ingredients in each variety.
Image unavailable
Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A box to consider if you’re looking for individual snacks for a group. The product name lists twelve pieces; check the packaging to see how much each snack contains and which ingredients are in each variety.
Image unavailable
Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
A box for anyone who wants to share individual snacks within a group. The product name lists fifteen pieces; check the quantity, ingredients and allergens for each variety before choosing it for your group.
Frequently asked questions
Are small bags more convenient than one large bag at a festival?
Small bags are more convenient if people are snacking at different times or everyone wants to take their own portion. A large bag suits a group sharing at the same time; either way, compare how many grams you want to take per person.
What should I check for allergies in a mixed box?
Check the ingredients and allergens for each individual variety on the current packaging. Don’t assume there’s one ingredients list for all the flavours: for example, the Lay's Party Mix listed by Jumbo combines potato crisps with Bugles Nacho Cheese.
Is Pringles Original suitable if I have a wheat or gluten allergy?
Joybuy’s product information for Pringles Original 12 x 40 g lists wheat and gluten, so don’t choose that specific pack if you need to avoid these ingredients. Check the label on the tube you buy; don’t assume this information applies to other Pringles flavours.
How do I compare the salt content of a small bag and a sharing bag?
Compare the salt content per 100 g on both packs, then consider how much you’ll actually eat. For a small bag, use the stated weight per bag; with a sharing bag, the amount per person depends on how you divide the contents.