People planning to share a snack
If several people will be dipping into the same packet, choose an amount that suits the occasion rather than a large pack that might be left open.
Who are these pack sizes for?
People who want to divide up portions
Individual packets are handy if you want to take crisps with you or hand them out without opening a shared packet.
People who pay close attention to the recipe
Salt content, fat, the ingredients list and allergens can help you choose between recipes with similar-looking packaging.
What should you look for?
When buying crisps from your local shop or as part of your regular shop, start with how you plan to use them: sharing a packet, taking portions with you or choosing a particular recipe.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much to share | Net weight and how much you expect to eat once the packet is open. | For a get-together, I want a packet that won’t be left open unnecessarily; around 36% of consumers put the amount to share at the top of their list. |
| Portions to divide up | Number of packets and the weight of each portion. | If I need to take crisps with me or hand them out separately, smaller packets suit me better; around 29% of consumers prioritise portioning. |
| Salt or fat | Nutritional values per 100 g and the exact claim made on the packet. | I’m looking for a specific feature of the recipe, rather than relying on the range name alone; around 21% of consumers prioritise salt or fat. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and allergens shown on the specific packet. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the recipe matters more than the pack size; it’s the first thing around 14% of consumers check. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a large packet without planning what to do with it once opened
A sharing-size pack is less convenient if some of it is left in an open packet for a long time. According to the DGCCRF, the best-before date relates to the product’s quality when its packaging is intact.
Choose a weight to suit the people you’re serving, and follow the packet’s storage instructions once it’s open.
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Assuming all crisps have the same ingredients
Vico lists potatoes, vegetable oils and salt in La Classique. Pringles lists dehydrated potatoes and flours, including wheat flour, in Original.
Check the ingredients list and allergens for the exact recipe you’re buying.
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Assuming one claim tells you everything about the recipe
A claim such as ‘no added salt’ doesn’t tell you everything about a product’s nutritional values. Likewise, a comparison of fat content alone won’t tell you about the other ingredients.
Before choosing a recipe based on this, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Carrefour
Carrefour Classic’, Carrefour Original and Carrefour Sensation offer a range of recipes and pack sizes to compare.
- The Carrefour range includes Classic’ Nature crisps in a 350 g packet and in a multipack of 6 × 30 g.
- Check the recipe and pack weight you choose: these products are suited to different occasions.
Auchan
The Auchan range includes ready salted, traditional-style and individually wrapped crisps.
- Available formats include a 350 g packet of ready salted crisps and a multipack of 6 × 30 g traditional-style crisps.
- Check the pack format of each product before choosing it for sharing or taking with you.
Vico
Vico offers La Classique and other varieties of potato crisps.
- For La Classique, Vico lists potatoes from France, sunflower and rapeseed oils, and salt.
- Vico notes that La Classique may contain milk and peanuts; check the packaging of the variety you buy.
Lay's
Lay's offers classic crisps, traditional-style recipes and the Cuites au Four range.
- These ranges offer different recipes to consider, depending on what you’re looking for.
- Check the nutritional information for the specific product rather than assuming a feature of one range applies to all Lay's crisps.
Pringles
Pringles Original stands out for its rigid tube and recipe, which includes dehydrated potatoes and flours.
- The tube is another type of packaging to consider if you’re taking crisps with you.
- The ingredients listed for Original include wheat flour; check the allergens on the tube you buy.
Crisps available on Joybuy
These packets of potato crisps come in a range of weights and recipes to compare, whether you’re planning to share a packet or looking for a particular recipe.
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LAY'S Salted Crisps, family-size 250 g packet
A 250 g packet to consider for sharing, if you expect to finish this amount once it’s open.
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LAY'S Country-Style Crisps, 295 g
This 295 g packet could be a good choice for sharing. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen information on the packaging.
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VICO Extra Crispy Ridged Crisps, 150 g
This 150 g packet lets you compare a recipe made with potatoes, sunflower oil and salt. If traces of other ingredients are important to you, check the information on the packaging.
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ALTHO Crisps with Guérande Salt, 90 g
This 90 g packet is an option if you’re looking for a smaller amount. The listed recipe combines potatoes, sunflower oil and salt; check the nutritional information on the packet for the values per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘no added salt’ enough to help you choose crisps?
No. It describes one feature of the recipe, not all of its nutritional values. To compare packets, check the salt content per 100 g, as well as the ingredients and allergens listed on each one.
Where can you find allergen information on a packet of crisps sold in France?
According to the DGCCRF, allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods sold in France. Check the information on the specific packet, as ingredients can vary from one recipe to another.
What does the best-before date mean on crisps?
According to the DGCCRF, a product can be eaten after its best-before date if the packaging is intact, but it may have lost some of its flavour. Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packet.