But Seriously, Why Is There So Much Space In Chip Bags?
We've all been there: You open a big bag of chips, only to be faced with the disappointment that the bag looks like it's half full. A smaller-than-it-appears bag of chips is a real bummer, especially if you're prepping for a party or simply want a big snack.
The age-old question of why exactly there's so much space in chip bags has become a popular meme and has even prompted lawsuits from customers who feel like they're not being given the amount of chips they're promised. But the truth behind this strange, yet all-too-common phenomenon isn't what you might think — the intention isn't to cheat you out of your Cheetos. While the space in chip bags likely isn't going to be retired anytime soon, there's actually an FDA-approved reason why there's so much space in chip bags, and it might just make your chip-eating experience even better.
The real reason there's so much space in chip bags
A study by CDA Appliances found that chip bags in the United Kingdom are 72% empty on average; but, with that said, the weights listed on those bags are always accurate.
So, if chip manufacturers aren't trying to rip you off, then why do most chip bags feel so empty? That space is there for a legitimately good reason, even if it might be an annoyance every time you open up a bag of Ruffles. The extra space, which is called "slack fill," helps prevent your chips from breaking in the time from packaging to shipping to purchasing and eating. It makes sense — if fragile chips are rammed up against each other, they'll break and become a crumbly mess before you can enjoy them. That "air" has another purpose too: It's actually nitrogen gas, and nitrogen's composition itself can prevent the chips from breaking. Nitrogen gas actually lets air out as well, which keeps the chips fresher for longer. So, next time you see that "best by" date on your bag of chips, remember that the length of time you have to eat them is all thanks to that "empty" chip bag.
Which chips have the least slack fill?
If those half-empty bags of chips still bother you, you're not alone. (We're still wrapping our heads around this information too.) But which type of chips has the most product and the least air per bag?
Kitchen Cabinet Kings examined the air percentages in a variety of chip containers, each of which represented a major chip brand. Although people have claimed that Pringles' ability to pack chips together avoids the "air problem," Pringles wasn't the brand that had the least slack fill. When it came to reducing slack fill, Fritos came out on top with just 19% of the bag taken up by nitrogen gas. However, Pringles did follow closely behind with 28% slack fill, and Tostitos Scoops came in third place with 34% slack fill. The chips to avoid if you're not a fan of slack fill? Stacy's Pita Chips and Ruffles, which were tied at 50% slack fill; and Cheetos, which had a whopping 59% slack fill per package.
Yes, there's a good reason for the "air" in your bag of chips, especially if you don't like them to come out broken; but, if you prefer the package size to more closely match the amount of chips you get, some chip choices are better than others.