Stocking-up shopper comparing pack sizes
You want to stock up on everyday crisps for several occasions and are checking how much each bag contains. A larger bag is best if you plan to finish it after opening.
Which pack is best for you?
Family or host looking to share crisps
You want to take crisps with you, hand them out or save them for separate snacking occasions. In that case, the number of bags and the amount in each one matter more than the total quantity alone.
Shopper who checks the label first
You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in the exact flavour before stocking up. Nutritional information, the best-before date and storage instructions also matter.
What should you look for when stocking up on crisps?
First, decide whether the crisps will mainly be eaten at home or need to be handed out individually. Then compare the contents and labels of the flavours you actually want to keep in stock.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Compare the net weight in grams and consider whether you’ll finish an opened bag. | If I’m stocking up for several snacking occasions, I want to know how many crisps I’m actually bringing home. Around 39% of consumers prioritise the amount they get for their stock. |
| Portions and sharing | Check the number of bags and the amount in each one. | For lunch or visitors, I want to be able to hand out crisps without opening a large bag. Sharing is the main priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Flavour and product type | Check the type of crisp and its flavour; potato crisps, corn snacks and stackable crisps are not the same product. | I want to stock up on flavours and types that suit the people who’ll be eating them. For around 23% of consumers, this preference comes before other considerations. |
| Label and storage | Check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information, best-before date and storage instructions on the exact pack. | If I have an allergy or a specific dietary preference, I want to check every flavour I choose individually. Around 15% of consumers give label information and storage top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Judging a multipack by the number of bags alone
The number of portions doesn’t tell you how many crisps the pack contains overall. A mixed pack may also include flavours that not everyone wants to eat.
Before stocking up on several packs, check the net weight, the amount in each bag and which flavours are included.
-
Assuming the label for one flavour applies to every variety
Ingredients and allergens can vary by flavour. For Pringles Sour Cream & Onion, Jumbo lists milk and wheat; soya may also be present.
Check the ingredients and allergens again for each specific flavour and pack.
-
Relying solely on online product information
Albert Heijn states that product information, including ingredients and allergens, may change.
When your order arrives or when you’re in store, read the label on the pack you’re actually buying.
Brands and own-label options compared
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-label range includes plain and ridged crisps in a variety of pack sizes.
- When putting together a stock for home, compare the contents and type of crisp in each bag.
- A larger bag is less convenient if you want to keep portions separate and unopened.
Albert Heijn (AH)
AH own-label is worth considering when comparing a standard bag with a pack of individual portions.
- The AH Chips naturel 20-pack described contains 20 bags of 40 g each.
- For the pack you choose, check the current ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the label.
Lidl Snack Day
Snack Day is Lidl’s own range of crisps and other savoury snacks.
- The range includes a variety of flavours, so you can choose the right ones for the people you’re buying for.
- Check the type of crisp, pack contents and label details for each product you choose.
Lay's
Lay's has several crisp ranges and multipacks; the range determines the type and packaging you’ll get.
- Lay's describes MAX as ridged crisps and also offers multipacks with small bags.
- Features of a particular range, such as Oven Baked, don’t automatically apply to other Lay's crisps.
Pringles
Pringles is an option if you’re specifically looking for stackable crisps in a tube.
- The tube and flavour you choose make it clear which type of crisp you’re adding to your stock.
- Allergens vary between varieties: for Sour Cream & Onion, Jumbo lists milk and wheat and says soya may be present.
Crisps and multipacks at Joybuy
These products are mainly packs designed to help you spread crisps across several snacking occasions, from bags of assorted flavours to individual Pringles tubes. Before choosing, compare the contents and labels of the exact varieties.
Image unavailable
Croky Sharing Mix 180 g
A mix to share across snacking occasions. The pack states 180 g; before handing it out, check the number of bags and the ingredients in the chosen mix.
Image unavailable
Lay's Fun Mix Box Crisps 15-pack
A multipack for sharing individual portions. The product name states that it’s a 15-pack; check the net weight and the ingredients and allergens in the different crisps.
Image unavailable
Lay's Cheetos Doritos Mega Box Multipack 20-pack
A mix for stocking up on individually packed snacks. The product name states that it’s a 20-pack; check the pack to see which types and quantities you get in each one, and check the labels individually.
Image unavailable
Pringles Red Pepper 12 × 40 g
For anyone who wants to keep or share individual tubes of Pringles Red Pepper. The product name states that there are 12 tubes of 40 g; check the ingredients and allergens for this flavour on the pack.
Image unavailable
Lay's Doritos Chill Box Multipack 2 × 12 pieces
A mix for sharing individual snacks across several occasions. The product name states that it contains 2 × 12 pieces; check the amount in each one and the ingredients and allergens in every variety.
Frequently asked questions
When are small bags useful for stocking up?
Small bags are useful if you want to hand out crisps or save them for separate occasions. As well as the number of bags, check the amount in each one and whether the flavours suit the people who’ll be eating them.
Which label details should I check before stocking up on crisps?
At the very least, check the ingredients, allergens, net weight, nutritional information, best-before date and any storage instructions on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that the label on pre-packed food should clearly state what it contains and its best-before date.
Why should I check the label again when choosing a different flavour?
A different flavour may contain different ingredients and allergens. For example, Jumbo lists milk and wheat for Pringles Sour Cream & Onion and states that soya may be present; don’t use that label as a guide to other Pringles varieties.
How should I store crisps I’ve bought to keep in stock?
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. For the AH Chips naturel 20-pack described, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dry place away from light; after opening, also check how to reseal the pack.