Households sharing a large bag
If several people will be having some and the bag will be finished quickly, a 350 g format could suit you. Carrefour and E.Leclerc both list products in this size; check the storage instructions for the one you choose.
Who are these formats for?
Families dividing up portions for the morning
Individual bags make it easier to take crisps with you or hand out portions without opening the whole pack. E.Leclerc, for example, lists a Pom'Lisse product with six 30 g bags.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients
To compare two recipes, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g, particularly fat and salt. Ingredients can vary from one flavour to another, even within the same brand.
What should you look for?
First decide whether the crisps will be shared or taken separately, then check the ingredients of the exact product you’re considering. A large bag is only useful if you can enjoy its contents in good condition after opening.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing format | The net weight and how much your household will eat after opening. | When several people are having crisps on the same morning, I’d rather open one large bag than several small ones. Around 42% of consumers are said to prioritise sharing. |
| Portions and storage | The number of bags, the weight of each one and the storage instructions after opening. | If everyone needs to take their own portion, I look for individual bags so the others can stay sealed. Individual packaging is said to be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g, including salt. | Before choosing a recipe, I want to know what’s in it rather than relying on its name or flavour. Around 25% of consumers are said to put this check first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing individual bags when you don’t need separate portions
Individual packaging makes it easier to take portions with you or hand them out. If everyone in your household will be eating the crisps in the same place, this benefit may matter less.
Choose based on how the portions will be taken and stored, rather than simply on the number of bags.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the recipe name
Vico’s product information says that La Gourmande contains dairy ingredients, while La Classique may contain milk and peanuts. Other varieties may have different ingredients.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product you’re buying.
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Making crisps your only breakfast food
Manger Bouger recommends limiting foods that are high in fat and salt, including snacks. Choosing a different pack size doesn’t change this.
If you have crisps for breakfast, treat them as an occasional part of the meal, not the only thing you eat.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Vico
Vico offers original and ridged crisps. Auchan, for example, lists a 400 g bag of Vico Extra Craquantes.
- According to Vico, La Classique contains French potatoes, sunflower and rapeseed oils, and salt.
- Ingredients vary by recipe: La Gourmande contains dairy ingredients. Check the variety and its allergen information.
Lay's
Carrefour and Auchan list several sizes of Lay's plain crisps, including 250 g, 300 g and 370 g bags.
- These sizes let you choose the quantity to suit the number of people sharing the bag.
- The weight doesn’t tell you how long an opened bag will stay crisp; follow the instructions for the product you buy.
Carrefour
The retailer lists Carrefour Classic' plain crisps in 200 g and 350 g bags, as well as Carrefour Original products.
- The two Classic' sizes give you the choice of a smaller quantity or a bag to share.
- Check the exact recipe: the pack size and range name are no substitute for reading the label.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists Pom'Lisse crisps in a large 350 g bag and in six individual 30 g bags.
- These two formats suit different needs: sharing and taking individual portions with you.
- Before choosing, check how many portions you need and the information on the specific product.
Auchan
Auchan stocks plain crisps under its own brand and also sells a range of Vico and Lay's formats.
- You’ll find both sharing bags and packs of individual portions.
- For storage advice, check the product information and then the packaging of the recipe you choose, rather than assuming the instructions for another bag apply.
Sharing bags on Joybuy
These two Lay's bags are suited to sharing. For a quick breakfast, choose a size to suit the number of people and check the ingredients of each recipe; these are not individual portions.
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Lay's Plain Salted, 250 g family bag
This bag of salted potato crisps can be shared if the quantity suits your needs. Check the label for this product to compare ingredients, allergens and salt per 100 g.
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Lay's Country-Style, 295 g bag
This 295 g bag of potato crisps is suitable for sharing if you can use it after opening in line with the packaging instructions. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for this recipe, particularly if soya or gluten are a concern for you.
Frequently asked questions
Can crisps be the only food in a quick breakfast?
Don’t treat them as the only part of the meal. Manger Bouger recommends limiting foods that are high in fat and salt. If you have crisps in the morning, bear this advice in mind and include other foods in your meal.
When should you choose a large bag instead of individual portions?
A large bag works well for sharing if several people can finish it after opening in line with the storage instructions. Individual portions are better if you need to take bags separately or open just one at a time.
What should you check on the packaging before choosing a recipe?
Check the ingredients, allergens, net weight and nutritional values per 100 g, particularly salt and fat. The DGCCRF says that showing values per 100 g makes it easier to compare prepacked foods; always check the variety you plan to buy.
How should you store an opened bag of crisps?
Follow the instructions on the bag you buy. For the Lay's Nature 300 g listed by Auchan, the advice is to keep the crisps away from light and eat them within seven days of opening. Don’t automatically apply this timeframe to another product.