Households planning several lunches
If you’re sharing crisps or planning to serve them more than once, the pack size and storage guidance after opening are important factors in your choice.
Who are these pack sizes for?
People taking lunch with them
An individual pack lets you pop a separate portion into your bag without carrying a large, already-opened pack.
People who check the ingredients
The recipe, salt, fat and allergen information can all help you decide. For pre-packed foods, the DGCCRF highlights the importance of checking the ingredients list and nutritional information.
What should you look for?
Start by deciding whether you’ll be sharing the crisps, taking individual portions with you or choosing mainly based on the ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much you’ll use | Net weight and instructions for after opening. | If I’m buying crisps for several lunches or to share, I want to choose an amount we can finish. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this when choosing a pack. |
| A portion to take with you | Number of packs and the weight of each one. | If I’m having lunch away from home, a portion that’s already packed separately means I don’t have to carry an opened pack. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g; per-portion information where shown on the pack. | Before choosing a recipe, I want to check what’s in it or look for allergen information. Around 25% of consumers put these checks first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Opening a large bag for just one portion
You’ll need to store the rest after lunch. For its 300 g Lay’s Ready Salted family-size pack, Lay’s advises keeping it away from light and eating it within seven days of opening.
If you only need one portion, compare smaller packs too, and read the storage instructions for the product you choose.
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Choosing based only on the words ‘oven-baked’
A claim about fat content doesn’t tell you everything about the salt, ingredients or amount you’ll eat.
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the portion you plan to serve.
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Relying on the ingredients for a different flavour
Ingredients can vary between recipes and may change over time. Pringles recommends checking the packaging of the product you choose.
If an allergen is relevant to you, read the ingredients list and any information on the exact pack before eating.
Brands to know
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour’s range includes Ready Salted crisps in a 350 g bag and in packs of 6 × 30 g.
- Two pack sizes to consider, depending on whether you’re sharing the crisps or spreading them across several lunches.
- Check the pack size of the specific product: these formats are suited to different uses.
Auchan
Auchan offers thin, crunchy Ready Salted crisps in six individual 30 g packs.
- The six portions are already packed separately for different lunches.
- Each pack contains 30 g, so check that this amount suits your needs.
Lay’s
The range includes family-size packs, individual portions and an Oven Baked Ready Salted recipe.
- These pack sizes suit different needs: sharing or taking a portion with you.
- For the 300 g Lay’s Ready Salted family-size pack featured by Auchan, the advice is to eat the crisps within seven days of opening.
Vico
Vico’s range includes Extra Crunchy Ready Salted crisps in a 270 g family-size pack.
- Vico says it uses French potatoes for this recipe.
- The Auchan product listing notes that this product may contain milk. Check the exact pack if this allergen is relevant to you.
Pringles
Pringles Original comes in a tube, including 40 g, 70 g and 200 g sizes, according to Pringles France.
- The different sizes let you choose an amount that suits the lunch you have planned.
- Pringles says its recipes may change, so check the information on the tube you choose.
Crisps for different lunches
This Joybuy selection includes two bags of crisps, weighing 295 g and 250 g, plus a multipack of individual portions to spread across several lunches. Choose the pack size based on how much you plan to serve or take with you.
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Lay’s Country-Style, 295 g
A bag to consider if you’re serving crisps to several people or spreading them across a few lunches. Check the pack for storage instructions after opening and any allergen information relevant to you.
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KOIKEYA Karamucho Chilli, 12 × 60 g
The twelve individual packs make it easy to take a portion with you or spread the multipack across several lunches. This is a Chilli recipe, so check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before choosing it.
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Lay’s BBQ Maxi, 250 g
This BBQ-flavoured bag is a good option if you’re looking for this recipe and expect to use the contents after opening. If you want separate portions to take with you, check the actual pack format before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Are individual packs handy for lunch on the go?
Yes, if you want to pop a separate portion into your bag or spread the packs across several lunches. Check the weight of each one: the Auchan pack mentioned above contains six 30 g bags.
How long can you keep a large bag after opening?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought. For its 300 g Ready Salted family-size crisps featured by Auchan, Lay’s recommends keeping them away from light and eating them within seven days of opening. Other products may have different instructions.
What should I check on the pack if an allergen is relevant to me?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including any statements about possible presence. Don’t rely on the ingredients for a different flavour or an old pack: recipes can change.
Is oven-baking enough to help you choose crisps?
No. If fat content is your top priority, compare the values on the packs of the recipes you’re considering, then check the salt, ingredients and amount you plan to serve too. A cooking claim doesn’t answer these other questions.