People packing lunch boxes
Individually wrapped bags make it easy to pack one portion per person, without opening a large bag before you set off.
Which format is right for you?
Groups sharing food at the park
If you’re putting the tortilla chips in the middle of the table, perhaps with a dip, the amount available to share matters more than the number of individually wrapped portions.
People who check ingredients
Depending on who’s coming along, the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information may determine which recipe you choose, whatever the format.
What should you check?
First, decide whether you need separate bags to hand out or chips to share. Then check the ingredients for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Separate portions | Number of individual bags and the weight of each one; a large bag is not a multipack. | If I’m packing several lunch boxes, I want to pop a wrapped portion into each one, rather than portioning out the chips on the day. Around 50% of consumers would prioritise individually wrapped portions. |
| Amount to share | Total weight and the container provided, if the bag will be opened during the journey. | If I’m serving the chips in the middle of the picnic, I’d rather take a sharing bag than individual portions for everyone. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Ingredients, allergens, any ‘gluten-free’ claim and nutritional values per 100 g for the exact product. | If someone coming along needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check the chosen recipe before packing it. Around 20% of consumers would put this check first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a large bag contains individual portions
A 250 g bag can be shared, but it won’t necessarily contain smaller bags to put in lunch boxes.
Check how many inner bags there are and how much each one weighs. If you want individually wrapped portions, you can also buy several single bags.
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Assuming ‘corn’ means the chips are allergen-free
Ingredients vary by flavour. Carrefour says that its 44 g Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper may contain soya and wheat (gluten), while the 44 g Nacho Cheese recipe contains dairy ingredients.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact bag you’re taking with you. If you need a gluten-free option, check that this specific product is explicitly labelled as such.
Brands to know for these formats
Doritos
Carrefour stocks 44 g bags of Doritos, as well as a 250 g bag of Nature tortilla chips. Amazon France also lists a multipack of 20 44 g bags of Sweet Chilli Pepper.
- The 44 g bags are handy for individually wrapped portions, while the 250 g Nature bag is suited to sharing.
- Ingredients vary by flavour, so check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
Auchan
Auchan stocks, among other products, a 400 g bag of plain tortilla chips.
- This pack could be a good choice if you’re planning to share the chips.
- A large bag doesn’t provide individually wrapped portions.
Old El Paso
Auchan stocks 185 g Tortilla Chips Fajita and 300 g Nachips Original under this brand. These are two separate products.
- Auchan’s product page for the 185 g Tortilla Chips Fajita says ‘gluten-free’.
- Don’t assume this applies to another recipe or pack size without checking its packaging.
Tortilla chips to consider on Joybuy
These options include two bags to consider for sharing and one 44 g bag for an individual portion. If you’re specifically looking for a multipack, check the pack contents before ordering.
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Doritos Paprika, 160 g
This bag is worth considering if you’ll be serving the tortilla chips to a group rather than packing them into individual lunch boxes. The 160 g pack doesn’t contain individually wrapped portions. If necessary, check the allergens on the packaging.
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Old El Paso Original Crispy Tortilla Chips, 185 g
This 185 g bag is suited to sharing rather than handing out individually wrapped portions. If you open it at the picnic, bring something to keep the remaining chips fresh. Also check the allergen information for this product on the packaging.
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Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper, 44 g
The 44 g size is worth considering for a lunch box. Check how many bags are included in the item you order: the weight alone doesn’t mean it’s a multipack. Also check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact product packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether a multipack is suitable for lunch boxes?
Check that the number of individual bags and the weight of each bag are listed. The Doritos Sweet Chilli Pepper multipack listed by Amazon France contains 20 bags of 44 g each. A single large bag isn’t the same, even if it contains enough chips for the group.
Are corn tortilla chips always gluten-free?
No. Check the claim and allergen information for the specific recipe. Auchan describes its 185 g Old El Paso Tortilla Chips Fajita as ‘gluten-free’, while Carrefour’s product page for the 44 g Doritos Sweet Chili Pepper says it may contain wheat (gluten).
How do I compare the nutritional information for two recipes?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, rather than comparing two portions of different sizes directly. The DGCCRF explains that the nutrition declaration for prepacked foods is given per 100 g or 100 ml to make this comparison easier.