Organisers handing out individual portions
If you’re distributing snacks at check-in, at seats or in break packs, you’ll need countable units. For example, Böttcher AG stocks multipacks containing individual 15 g or 40 g bags.
Who each serving format suits
Teams with several small break rooms
Multipacks can be split between rooms without opening a large pack in each one. Lorenz sells mini pretzels in a multipack of 3 × 40 g; however, that’s only three bags for a large-scale giveaway.
Those in charge of open snack stations
If you’re topping up bowls or putting snacks out to share, larger bags and tubs are worth considering. For unwrapped servings, attendees must have access to allergen information for each snack.
What to look for when choosing
Individual snack packs
Best when: you want to hand out a set number of sealed snacks without transferring them into other containers.
Consider: Individual bags mean more packaging. Check that the amount in each bag suits the way you’ll be serving them.
Small multipack
Best when: you’re catering for a few rooms or small groups, with a separate bag for each.
Consider: A 3 × 40 g multipack gives you three smaller bags, but not one portion for every guest at a large conference.
Bag, tub or bulk pack
Best when: you want to top up bowls or split supplies between several serving points.
Consider: The portion per guest isn’t predetermined. For open serving, allergen information must remain clearly linked to the snack.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual servings | Number of sealed bags and grams per bag. | If I’m handing snacks out at seats, I want to be able to count the units I need without filling bowls. Around 33% of consumers would make individual servings their top priority. |
| Quantity planning | Total weight, number of smaller bags and planned serving points. | For several breaks, I want to be able to split up supplies without opening more packs than necessary at once. Around 27% of consumers would put quantity planning first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list and may-contain information for the specific pack; for open serving, check that the information is linked to the snack. | If guests ask about ingredients, I need to be able to show them the details for the product actually being served. Around 27% of consumers would put this first. |
| Shared snack station | Pack format and whether you can put out only some of the contents. | At a staffed refreshment station, I want to top up bowls as needed rather than assigning an amount to each guest in advance. Around 13% of consumers would prioritise this flexibility. |
Common planning mistakes
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Assuming a “multipack” contains enough portions for lots of guests
A Lorenz multipack of 3 × 40 g contains three smaller bags. That’s different from the packs of 20 or 70 individual bags sold by Böttcher AG: the total weight alone won’t tell you how many portions you can hand out directly.
First count the sealed bags, then compare the amount in each bag and the total weight.
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Confusing “vegan” with “allergen-free”
According to the product information, Lorenz’s vegan mini pretzels contain wheat and barley malt extract. REWE also lists possible traces of sesame, milk and egg for the 3 × 40 g pack.
Before the event, check the information on the exact pack you’ve bought and keep it handy in case anyone has questions about the snacks.
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Serving snacks in open bowls without linked allergen information
Under Section 4 of Germany’s Food Information Implementing Regulation, the required information for non-prepacked food must be clearly visible, legible and easy to read, and must relate to the specific food.
Keep the information for every snack variety readily available at the station and make sure it’s clearly linked to the right snack.
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Not planning for opened packs
With large bags and tubs, the amount served isn’t set in advance. Retailers recommend storing several of the products covered here in a dry place and away from heat.
Open packs as needed, and plan to store any opened snacks in a closed, dry place.
Notable brands and product ranges
Lorenz / Saltletts
Lorenz sells mini pretzels in formats including a 3 × 40 g multipack and a 150 g bag. The brand also offers pretzel sticks in a two-compartment serving tray, as well as 75 g and 150 g bags.
- Three separate 40 g bags can be shared between small groups or rooms.
- The multipack contains just three bags. According to Lorenz, the mini pretzels contain wheat and barley malt extract; also check the may-contain information on the pack you buy.
ja! / REWE
REWE sells ja! mini pretzels in a 250 g bag, suitable for a shared bowl or topping up.
- One bag gives you a single quantity to serve from.
- It doesn’t provide individual portions. REWE lists wheat and possible traces of sesame, milk and soya.
Gut & Günstig / EDEKA
EDEKA24 sells Gut & Günstig salted pretzels in a 250 g bag, which could work for an open snack bowl.
- You can share the contents between bowls as needed.
- The bag doesn’t contain pre-portioned servings for guests. EDEKA24 lists wheat and possible traces of sesame and milk.
Mayka
EDEKA24 sells a 250 g mixed tub of pretzel sticks and pretzels, as well as mini pretzels in a bulk pack of 12 × 150 g.
- The bulk pack contains twelve bags, which you can distribute between several serving points or events.
- A 150 g bag isn’t a small individual portion. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific Mayka product you choose.
Joybuy products for open snack stations
These pretzel snacks and pretzel sticks could work for a small shared spread or for topping up bowls. If you want to give each conference guest a sealed bag, check the number of individual portions in the pack you’re considering.
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Lorenz Saltletts Classic pretzel sticks 250 g
For a shared snack station serving pretzel sticks rather than pretzels. The pack contains 250 g; if you plan to hand out individual portions, check whether it contains sealed inner packs. For open serving, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Jeden Tag salted pretzels 250 g
A 250 g pack of salted pretzels for a shared spread or topping up. If you need to decide on portions in advance, check whether there are any inner bags and how many. For open serving, keep the information from the specific pack handy.
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Alnatura organic wholegrain salted pretzels 125 g
The 125 g pack could work for a smaller shared spread. Organic and wholegrain describe the product, but don’t indicate whether it’s suitable for particular dietary requirements. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Lorenz Saltletts salted pretzels 200 g
A 200 g pack for a shared pretzel bowl. If you’re handing snacks out at individual seats, check whether the pack you choose contains separate individual bags. For unwrapped servings, information about the product being served must be accessible.
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Lorenz Saltletts mini salted pretzels 150 g
The 150 g pack of mini pretzels could work for a smaller shared spread. Don’t confuse it with Lorenz’s separate 3 × 40 g multipack when planning: for individual servings, what matters is the number of sealed smaller bags.
Frequently asked questions
What allergen information do I need for an open snack bowl?
In Germany, the required allergen information must be available for each food served loose. Under Section 4 of the Food Information Implementing Regulation, the details must be clearly visible and legible, so make sure each item of information is clearly linked to the variety being served.
Are vegan mini pretzels automatically gluten-free?
No. According to the manufacturer, the mini pretzels described by Lorenz as vegan contain wheat flour and barley malt extract. If you’re catering for dietary requirements, check the ingredients and labelling on the specific pack you’ve bought rather than relying on “vegan” alone.
Which pack format is right for a small team?
A multipack with several smaller bags works if you want to split the snacks between people or rooms; Lorenz sells mini pretzels in a 3 × 40 g multipack. Larger individual bags can also work for a staffed shared bowl, but the amount per person won’t be predetermined.
How should I store opened pretzel snacks until the next break?
Keep opened snacks sealed, dry and away from heat. Retailer information for several of the pretzel products covered here includes similar storage advice; also follow the instructions on the relevant packaging.