Person in charge of shared office supplies
Wants to put out sealed portions that colleagues can help themselves to, in quantities and flavour combinations that suit how they snack at work.
Who is this for?
Buyer for lunchboxes and snacks on the go
Looks for individual bags that are easy to take along, without having to open and divide up a large bag.
Office buyer mindful of allergens
Wants to be able to check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions for each variety, even after the box has been put by the snack tin.
What should you look for?
Individual bags with a set choice of flavours
Best for: a team that mainly wants the same flavour or a simple selection, and would also like to hand out individual bags.
The trade-off: there’s less choice in the box. Jumbo lists 15 bags of 25 g in its plain and paprika multipack.
Mixed box
Best for: shared supplies for colleagues with different preferences.
The trade-off: different snack types may contain different ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn lists 15 bags in five varieties in its Lay’s Family Box.
Pringles multipack
Best for: anyone who wants an individual pack for each person and a pre-selected Pringles flavour.
The trade-off: check the contents of each pack and the ingredients; the number of packs alone doesn’t tell you what’s inside.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and stock levels | Check the number of sealed bags and the weight of each one, not just the size of the box. | If colleagues help themselves from the snack tin or take a bag with them, I want to know how many individual portions there are. For around 36% of consumers, portion size and stock levels come first. |
| Flavour variety | Check which flavours and snack types are in the box, and how many bags there are of each variety. | If people have different preferences, I want to offer a choice without opening several large bags. Around 29% of consumers give variety the highest priority. |
| Right-sized quantity | Compare the total weight and number of bags with how much you expect people to take from the office supplies. | For a small team, I don’t want to put out more stock than we’re likely to use. Getting the quantity right is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and labels | Check the label on the exact varieties and keep the product information with the shared supplies. | If colleagues need to check ingredients or allergens, I want the information to remain available once the box has been opened. This is the highest priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a mixed box is suitable for everyone
A mixed box may contain snack types with different ingredients. With shared supplies, that information can be lost if the outer packaging is thrown away.
Check the current labels on the exact box, leave the individual packs sealed and keep the outer packaging or an up-to-date product list by the snack tin. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights ingredients, allergens and shelf-life information as relevant details on food labels.
-
Assuming the same number of bags means the same amount inside
Two boxes with 15 bags may differ in the weight of each bag and in the mix of flavours or snack types. Jumbo lists 15 × 25 g for its plain and paprika multipack; for Lay’s Party Mix, Jumbo lists 15 bags of 27.5 g.
Before buying, check the contents of each bag and the number of each variety, especially if the supplies are also intended for lunchboxes.
Brands to consider
Lay’s
Mixed boxes of individual bags for shared supplies, with a choice of flavours or snack types.
- Albert Heijn lists a Celebration Box with 30 bags and a Family Box with 15; Jumbo lists a Party Mix with three varieties.
- Ingredients vary by variety. For a mixed box, check the current allergen information for the individual products.
Pringles
Multipacks for anyone who would rather offer one chosen flavour than a box of different snacks.
- Albert Heijn lists, among others, Original 12-pack, Cheese & Onion 3-pack and Hot & Spicy 5-pack.
- For your chosen pack, check the contents of each pack and the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Jumbo
An own-brand option with a set mix of plain and paprika flavours.
- Jumbo lists 15 bags of 25 g in its Chips Uitdeelzak Paprika & Naturel.
- There are only two flavours to choose from; Jumbo lists milk as an allergen for this product.
Smiths
A brand to consider separately if you’re also looking at savoury snacks other than crisps.
- Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks Barbecue and Paprika in 100 g bags.
- If you’re buying these to share, check whether the pack actually contains individual portions.
Crisp multipacks for sharing and taking with you
This selection includes mixed boxes, single-flavour multipacks and individually packed Pringles. For the office snack tin, focus on the number of portions, the mix of flavours you want and the information that needs to stay with the supplies.
No image available
Lay’s Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
A box for shared supplies when colleagues want a choice of different snack types. The product name lists 20 pieces; check how these are divided between the varieties and read the labels on the current box before putting it out.
No image available
Lay’s Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
A smaller mixed box for handing out individual portions or taking them along. The product name lists 15 pieces; check the pack to see which varieties and portion weights are included.
No image available
Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A mix to consider if you want a choice of flavours in your shared supplies. The product name lists a total weight of 180 g; if you need set portions, check the current packaging for the number of individual bags and how much each contains.
No image available
Lay’s Sensations Thai Sweet Chili, 10 × 40 g
An option for individual portions when you want to offer one specific flavour. The product name lists ten bags of 40 g; there’s no flavour variety in this pack.
No image available
Pringles Red Pepper, 12 × 40 g
A multipack for handing out individual portions if one consistent flavour suits your office supplies. The product name lists twelve packs of 40 g; for shared use, check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
What size works for an office snack tin?
Individual bags work well when colleagues help themselves or take a portion with them. Albert Heijn lists Lay’s boxes with 20 and 30 bags; Jumbo lists an own-brand box with 15. Choose a quantity that suits the number of people using them, and check how much is in each bag too.
Can I tip all the crisps out of the bags into one open tin?
It’s best to leave the bags sealed so colleagues can choose an individual portion. That way, it’s clear which product the information relates to. Keep the outer packaging or an up-to-date product list too, so people can check the ingredients, allergens and shelf-life information.
How do I account for allergens in a mixed box?
Check the current packaging for each variety and keep the information with the shared supplies. For Lay’s Party Mix, Jumbo lists milk and possible traces of cereals containing gluten, soya and wheat. Don’t assume that all the bags in a mixed box have the same ingredients.