Groups sharing one main snack
A 400g pack gives a group more biscuits in one packet than the 200g Sainsbury's or 165g M&S packs listed by those retailers. Check the net weight rather than assuming every packet is intended for group sharing.
Who is sharing the biscuits?
Smaller groups with a brand preference
McVitie's and Crawford's 300g packs offer a smaller format than the 400g Tesco and Asda options. Consider how much the group will use after the packet is opened.
Campers checking dietary labels
The standard packs described by the named retailers list wheat and milk. Joybuy describes its 125g Schar custard creams as gluten-free and lactose-free; check that packet's full current label against the person's requirements before sharing.
What should you check before choosing?
Decide how many people will share the packet, then check its storage instructions and allergen declaration before packing it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare net weights: Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list 400g packs; Bestway Wholesale and Tesco Groceries list the McVitie's and Crawford's packs at 300g. ASDA Groceries suggests 34 servings for its 400g pack, but portions will vary. | Several of us will share one packet, so I want to choose a size we are likely to finish rather than rely on a smaller add-on pack. |
| Storage | Read the packet's cool, dry storage instructions and how to close it after opening. The Food Standards Agency's camping guidance says sealed containers can help protect food from pests. | I need somewhere to keep opened biscuits closed and dry between visits to the tent. |
| Allergens | Check the exact packet for ingredients and may-contain statements. The standard packs described by the named retailers list wheat and milk, but their other allergen warnings differ. | If someone in our group avoids an ingredient, I cannot use another brand's label to decide whether this packet suits them. |
What is easy to overlook?
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Assuming every packet is a sharing size
The named packs range from M&S at 165g and Sainsbury's at 200g to Tesco and Asda at 400g, according to their product listings. One smaller packet may not cover the group's planned snack breaks.
Compare net weights with the number of people sharing; consider a 300g pack when a smaller group or brand preference makes sense.
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Leaving an opened packet unsealed
Retailer instructions for the named packs call for airtight storage after opening. The Food Standards Agency also advises that sealed containers can help protect food from pests while camping.
Bring a clean, sealable container and close it after serving. Keep the biscuits dry and separate from raw-food preparation.
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Treating allergen labels as interchangeable
The standard packs described by the named retailers list wheat and milk, while additional warnings vary. Tesco lists a sesame may-contain warning; Asda lists rye, barley, oats and sesame.
Read the current label on the exact packet before buying and again before offering it to someone with dietary restrictions.
Brand and pack references
These pack details help compare formats; a brand reference here does not indicate that its product is sold on Joybuy.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists its own-label Custard Cream Biscuits in a 400g pack, a format to consider for a communal packet.
- The listing calls for cool, dry storage and an airtight container after opening.
- It lists wheat and milk and a sesame may-contain warning; check the current packet.
Asda
ASDA Groceries lists a 400g own-label pack and suggests 34 servings; the amount served to each camper may differ.
- The listing describes the biscuits as suitable for vegetarians.
- It lists wheat and milk, with may-contain warnings for rye, barley, oats and sesame.
McVitie's
Bestway Wholesale describes McVitie's Custard Creams as a 300g pack for shoppers who prefer that brand or want less than a 400g packet.
- The listing describes the pack as suitable for vegetarians.
- It lists milk and wheat and a sesame may-contain warning.
Crawford's
Tesco Groceries lists Crawford's Custard Creams in a 300g pack, another format to consider for a smaller group.
- The listing describes the pack as suitable for vegetarians.
- It lists wheat and milk and a sesame may-contain warning; confirm availability with the intended shop.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's lists its own-label Custard Creams in a 200g pack, smaller than the named 300g and 400g options.
- The listing suggests approximately 16 servings.
- It lists wheat and milk and says the product is unsuitable for customers with a barley allergy due to manufacturing methods.
M&S
M&S lists Extra Cream Custard Creams in a 165g pack, a smaller addition rather than the main packet for several campers.
- M&S describes extra vanilla cream and custard powder in this product.
- It lists wheat, milk and soya and advises cool, dry storage away from sunlight.
A smaller dietary-labelled option on Joybuy
This 125g custard cream pack is an option to check when gluten-free or lactose-free labelling matters; it is a smaller packet than the 300g and 400g group-sharing formats discussed above.
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Schar Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
For a camper checking dietary-labelled alternatives, Joybuy describes this 125g pack as gluten-free and lactose-free and lists five servings. Its size makes it a smaller addition rather than the main packet for a group; check the current full label against the person's requirements.
Festival custard cream questions
What size custard cream packet should I take for a group?
A 400g packet is a starting point when several campers plan to share one snack: Tesco Groceries and ASDA Groceries list packs of that size. Sainsbury's lists a 200g pack and M&S a 165g pack, which provide less in one packet. Consider how much your group will use after opening.
Do custard creams need a cool box at a festival?
The named biscuit listings specify cool, dry storage rather than refrigeration. Follow the instructions on your packet, and store opened biscuits in an airtight container; the Food Standards Agency says sealed containers can also help protect camping food from pests.
Can I assume ordinary custard creams are gluten-free or dairy-free?
No. The standard Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, McVitie's, Crawford's and M&S packs described in their listings contain wheat and milk. Joybuy describes its 125g Schar pack as gluten-free and lactose-free, but check its current full label for the individual who will eat it.
What should I check on the packet before sharing?
Read the current ingredients, allergen and may-contain statements on that exact packet, as warnings differ between the named products. Also check its storage instructions and bring a way to seal any biscuits left after opening.