Hosts serving individual portions
Individual packets make it easy to give each guest a portion and keep some sealed for lunchboxes. Multipacks listed by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc include six 30 g packets.
Who are multipacks for?
Groups looking for a choice of flavours
An assortment means you don’t have to serve the same flavour to everyone. However, check the ingredients and allergens for each variety rather than relying on the name of the multipack alone.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients
Two multipacks with the same number of packets can differ in their ingredients, salt content and total weight. Compare the information for the exact product, especially if any guests have dietary requirements.
What should you look for before buying?
For a drinks party with food, start by choosing the portion size you want to serve. Then compare the flavours and ingredients to find options that suit your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Number of packets, weight per packet and total amount to serve. | If I want to give each guest a packet and keep some back for lunchboxes, portioning matters more than flavour. Around 40% of consumers put this need for individual portions first. |
| Flavours and allergens | Flavours included and the ingredients list for each one. | If guests have different tastes or dietary requirements, I need to be able to choose the varieties with all the facts in front of me. Around 30% of consumers put variety and checking the ingredients first. |
| Recipe ingredients | Ingredients and salt content for the specific product. | If I’m comparing several plain or flavoured varieties, I check their nutritional information rather than assuming they’re alike. For around 30% of consumers, ingredients are the top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Counting the packets without checking their weight
Six packets could weigh 150 g or 180 g, depending on whether each one is 25 g or 30 g. So the number of packets alone doesn’t tell you how much you’ll be serving.
Count the portions you need, then check the pack’s total weight before deciding how many to buy.
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Assuming every flavour has the same ingredients
Each variety in an assortment may have its own ingredients and allergen information. The name of the multipack isn’t enough to help you choose a flavour that suits every guest.
Keep the packaging to hand and check the information for the specific variety before serving.
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Applying a salt claim to an entire brand
A salt comparison shown for Vico’s à l’ancienne variety doesn’t apply to the brand’s other products.
To compare two products, check the salt content per 100 g on each of their labels.
Brands to know for these formats
Vico
Plain and à l’ancienne varieties are available in multipacks of six 30 g packets.
- This format makes it easy to set out six portions for the table or lunchboxes.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information for your chosen variety: they aren’t the same across the whole range.
Lay's
The brand offers small packets of plain crisps, as well as an assortment pack with several flavours.
- The assortment pack listed by Auchan contains six 26.5 g packets in barbecue, roast chicken and cheese flavours.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour separately.
Carrefour Original
A plain, à l’ancienne-style crisp variety is available in six 30 g packets.
- Individual packets make it easier to serve your guests.
- The product information notes that it may contain traces of allergens. Read the label before serving.
Auchan
Auchan offers à l’ancienne-style crisps in individual packets, in a 6 × 30 g format.
- You can divide the six sealed packets between your drinks party and other occasions.
- Check the ingredients and origin information for the specific product you choose; don’t assume they apply across the whole range.
Pom'Lisse (Marque Repère)
E.Leclerc offers, among other options, plain country-style crisps in six 30 g packets.
- The product information for this country-style variety specifies, among other details, the proportion of potatoes and sunflower oil in the recipe.
- For another Pom'Lisse product, check its own ingredients list rather than relying on the one for the country-style crisps.
A multipack available on Joybuy
This multipack of Chilli-flavour crisps contains individual 60 g packets. It’s suitable if you want to give each guest a packet, with larger portions than the 25–30 g formats mentioned for lunchboxes.
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KOIKEYA Karamucho Chilli Crisps, 12 × 60 g
The 12 individual packets are a good choice if you want to give each guest a portion. Each packet weighs 60 g, so check that this size and the Chilli flavour suit your drinks party or planned lunchboxes. Check the label for ingredients and allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Are six packets enough for a drinks party with food?
Six packets are enough to give six people one portion each, but they may not provide as many crisps as you’d like. Multipacks of six 25–30 g packets contain 150–180 g in total. Consider how many guests you’re expecting and how prominently crisps feature on the menu before choosing how many packs to buy.
How do you choose an assortment when guests have dietary requirements?
Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour in the assortment, not just the name on the box. The EU labelling rules outlined by Your Europe require allergens in prepacked foods to be highlighted in the ingredients list.
What should you do with packets left unopened after the party?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the multipack you bought. That way, you can save unopened packets for another occasion without relying on instructions for a different product.