Parents planning several snack breaks
For journeys and days out during the October half-term, sealed bags mean you don’t have to portion out a large sharing bag in advance. Carrefour and Auchan, for example, offer multipacks of six 30 g bags.
Who are these formats for?
Groups with different tastes
A variety pack lets you offer several flavours at a gathering or on an outing. The Lay’s variety pack featured by Auchan includes Barbecue, Roast Chicken and Cheese flavours.
Shoppers who check ingredients
If salt, an ingredient or an allergen affects your choice, compare the labels for the specific recipes, even within the same variety pack.
What should you look for?
To choose between individual bags, a variety pack and a large sharing bag, think about when the crisps will be served, then check the format and recipe.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning snacks | Number of bags and the weight of each one; storage instructions before you head out. | For several journeys or breaks, I prefer taking sealed bags rather than dividing up a large sharing bag. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this kind of portioning. |
| Trying different flavours | Flavours included and the number of bags for each recipe. | When everyone in the group has different tastes, having several recipes in one pack matters more than choosing a single flavour. Variety is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Checking ingredients | Ingredients and allergens for each recipe; salt per 100 g and per portion, where stated. | Before planning a snack, I want to be able to check the recipe that will actually be eaten. For around 25% of consumers, this check takes priority over the format. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a multipack without checking the bag size
Two multipacks may contain different numbers and weights of portions, and one bag may not be the right amount for each break.
Check the weight of each bag and the total weight before choosing a format for days out.
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Assuming every flavour has the same ingredients
Recipes in a variety pack may contain different ingredients and allergens.
If an ingredient needs to be avoided, check the information for every flavour on the exact packaging.
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Assuming ‘plain’ means ‘salt-free’
The word ‘plain’ on its own doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains. Auchan’s product listing for its individual bags of plain crisps states that each 30 g portion contains 0.39 g of salt.
Compare the ‘salt’ figure per 100 g and, if it appears on the label, per bag.
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Overlooking storage before you head out
Auchan’s product listing for its plain crisps says the product is sensitive to heat and humidity.
Store sealed bags according to the packaging instructions and check the advice for after opening.
Brands to consider
Vico
Vico offers crisps in multipacks, including a Barbecue x6 product that the brand features for taking on the go.
- Carrefour also stocks Vico plain crisps in 6 × 30 g bags.
- Check the format and allergens for the recipe you choose: information for one Vico product may not apply to all its products.
Lay’s
Lay’s offers individual bags of plain crisps as well as a variety pack featured by Auchan.
- The variety pack contains six 26.5 g bags, with several recipes.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for every flavour, not just one recipe.
Pringles
In France, Pringles offers a 40 g ‘pocket’ tube. This is different from a multipack of bags of crisps.
- This small tube is another individual format to consider for a snack break.
- Check the weight and ingredients for the specific product; these can’t be assumed from another Pringles format.
Carrefour Classic’ / Carrefour Original
Carrefour’s own-brand range includes individual bags of plain crisps. Its range features a 6 × 30 g format, among others.
- A format to consider when everyone needs their own sealed bag.
- Check the product and weight shown for your chosen store.
Auchan
Auchan offers plain crisps in six individual 30 g bags.
- The product listing provides nutritional information per 100 g and per 30 g bag.
- These values and ingredients apply to the specific product listed, not to all Auchan crisps.
Pom’Lisse (Marque Repère E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc offers Pom’Lisse plain crisps in 6 × 30 g bags.
- This format gives you six individually wrapped portions.
- E.Leclerc recommends checking availability with your local store.
Joybuy products for snacks on the go
These two multipacks offer individually wrapped portions for snack breaks during the holidays. The second contains potato sticks, not crisps, so bear this difference in mind if you’re specifically looking for crisps.
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KOIKEYA Karamucho Chilli Crisps, 12 × 60 g
This multipack is a good option if you have several snack breaks to plan for and want to take separate bags with you. It contains 12 bags of 60 g each, so check that this portion size suits your needs. If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the ingredients list and allergens on the product.
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CRISUP Original Flavour potato sticks, 5 × 20 g
The five 20 g bags make it easy to plan small, individually wrapped portions. These are potato sticks, not crisps, so check the ingredients and allergens for this specific product before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multipack handy for days out during the October half-term?
Yes, if you need to hand out sealed bags to several people or across several breaks. Check the number of bags and their weight. If the crisps are being served all at once, a large sharing bag could work just as well.
What should I check if I have an allergy to an ingredient?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging for each recipe, especially in a variety pack. The French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
How can I compare the nutritional information for two multipacks?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the figures per portion where they’re given, taking the weight of each bag into account. Pay particular attention to salt and fat. A Nutri-Score, if shown, can provide extra context, but it doesn’t tell you about allergens.
How can I check whether a product is available through my local click-and-collect service?
Check with the store or click-and-collect service you plan to use before putting together your basket. For its Pom’Lisse crisps in individual bags, E.Leclerc recommends checking availability with your local store.