Lunch organisers catering for different tastes
If children or guests want to choose for themselves, you can hand out sealed packets without opening one large bag. Just check how many packets of each flavour are in the box.
Who are individual packets useful for?
Shoppers who want to take just the right number of portions
When you’re catering for a planned group, it’s not just the total number of packets that matters. You also need to consider how many contain a flavour people will enjoy and are the right size.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients and portion sizes
If anyone has a food allergy or prefers a particular snack portion, the ingredients for the exact variety and the weight of each packet matter more than what’s shown on the front of the box.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many sealed portions you need and which flavours are likely to be eaten. Then compare packet sizes and, if you choose a mix, check each variety individually.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of individual portions | Count the individual packets and compare the total with the number of people eating. | If I’m handing these out to a group, I want to be able to give everyone a sealed packet without having to portion out an opened bag. For around 31% of consumers, having enough individual portions is the top priority. |
| Flavour selection | Check how many packets of each flavour or snack variety are in the box. | If people have different preferences, I want to offer a choice without ending up with a box full of unwanted packets. Having a good selection of flavours people will enjoy is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Compare the weight of each packet and read the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | If crisps are part of lunch, I want to know how much is in each packet and what the nutritional information means for that portion. This is the first thing around 25% of consumers consider. |
| Ingredients and allergens | If you choose a mix, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack and for each variety. | If someone in the group has a food allergy, I need to check which packets are suitable before handing them out. This is the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every packet in a mixed box is the same
An assortment box may contain different potato and corn snacks. The ingredients and allergens can therefore vary from one variety to another.
Before handing them out, read the labels on the exact box and the varieties it contains. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens in pre-packed foods must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list.
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Counting only the number of packets
Twenty packets don’t necessarily mean twenty equal snack portions: the weight of each variety in a mixed box may differ. A box containing one flavour may also have a different portion size from a mixed box.
As well as the number of packets, check the weight per packet and how the varieties are divided up.
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Thinking a packet of crisps is a whole lunch
Individual packets make crisps easy to hand out, but a snack doesn’t become a full lunch just because it comes in its own packet.
Plan the packets as part of the lunch and choose a portion size that works with whatever else you’re serving.
Brands and product ranges compared
Lay's
Lay's offers both multipacks with assorted flavours and boxes containing just one flavour. Albert Heijn lists, among other options, mixed boxes of 20 or 30 packets; Jumbo lists a Party Mix with 15 packets.
- A mixed box offers choice when people in the group have different flavour preferences.
- Check the contents of each box and variety: an assortment box won’t have one uniform ingredients list for every packet.
Pringles
An alternative to traditional small crisp packets if you’re looking for individual tubes in one set flavour. Albert Heijn lists a Paprika pack with twelve 40 g tubes.
- It’s easy to count the portions because each tube is individually packed.
- The Paprika variety listed contains wheat and milk and may contain soya; check the label for the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a multipack with fifteen 25 g packets: eight plain and seven paprika.
- The split between two flavours makes it easy to count the packets in advance.
- The product page lists milk as an allergen; check the packaging if this is relevant to your group.
Snack Day (Lidl)
Lidl lists a Snack Day multipack containing a mix of fifteen packets as an in-store product.
- A pack of individual packets for anyone who wants to pick out a mix while shopping.
- Check the label in store to see the flavours, weights and ingredients in the pack you’re buying.
Multipacks at Joybuy
These packs offer individual portions for a group lunch: mixed boxes for different preferences and single-flavour packs if you’ve already decided what you want. For each option, compare the number of portions and check the ingredients on the packaging.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box, 2 x 15 individual packets
A mix for a group who want to choose from individual packets. The pack contains 2 x 15 packets; check the ingredients for each variety before handing them out.
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Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
A mixed box for groups with different snack preferences. The pack contains 20 pieces; check the box for the weight and ingredients of each variety.
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Pringles Original, 12 x 40 g
For a group who all want the same flavour and like the convenience of individual tubes. This pack contains twelve 40 g portions; check that the size and ingredients are right for everyone eating.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 individual packets
A mixed box for a smaller group who want individual packets to hand out. The pack contains twelve packets; check the box for the weight and ingredients of each variety.
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Lay's Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 x 40 g
For a group who all want this one flavour. The pack contains ten 40 g packets; check that the portion size and ingredients are right for your planned lunch.
Frequently asked questions
How many packets do I need for a school holiday lunch?
Base your estimate on how many people you want to give a sealed portion to, and only add extra packets if you expect to use them. Also compare the weight of each packet: a box with more pieces may not have the same portion size as a smaller pack.
Can I hand out a mixed box to someone with a food allergy?
Only do so after checking the exact pack and every relevant variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in pre-packed foods must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. Don’t assume that every packet in a mixed box has the same ingredients.
Why should I read the label if I’ve already checked the product information?
The label on the pack you’re actually handing out gives the ingredients and nutritional information for that specific product. In particular, check the allergens for each variety and the nutritional information per portion, so you’re not relying on details for a different flavour or pack.