Travellers buying for one journey
A single roll or small pack may suit you better than a multipack if you want mints after food without carrying several packs. National Rail says passengers may bring their own food and drink on the train.
Who is a small pack for?
Travellers choosing sugar-free mints
If you prefer to avoid sugar in your mints, compare the nutrition and sweetener labels on small packs. M&S lists sorbitol in its Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints; the NHS notes that polyols such as sorbitol can have a laxative effect in large amounts.
Shoppers checking dietary ingredients
Read the label on the exact pack rather than assuming all peppermint mints have the same ingredients. Waitrose & Partners lists Polo Original as suitable for vegans, while M&S lists beef gelatine in its conventional Curiously Strong Mints.
What should you check?
Start with the pack count, then compare sugar information, flavour strength and ingredients according to what matters for your journey.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack format | Check whether the listing is for one roll, tube or small pack rather than a four-pack. Tesco Groceries lists a 34g Polo Original tube; M&S lists an 18g sugar-free pack. | I want enough mints for the journey without carrying a multipack. |
| Sugar and sweeteners | Compare sugars per 100g on the exact products. Waitrose & Partners lists 95.6g for Polo Original; M&S lists 0.2g for its Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints, which contain sorbitol. The NHS notes that polyols can have a laxative effect in large amounts. | If I choose sugar-free mints, I also want to know which sweeteners they contain. |
| Mint flavour | Check whether the pack is labelled Original or Extra Strong and read its flavour description. Polo Original is listed with peppermint oil; Trebor has an Extra Strong Peppermint roll. | A conventional peppermint flavour may suit me better than a mint labelled extra strong—or I may prefer the stronger option. |
| Dietary ingredients | Read the current ingredients and dietary statement on the exact pack. Waitrose & Partners lists Polo Original as vegan; M&S lists beef gelatine in its conventional Curiously Strong Mints. | I need to check ingredients that matter to my diet before choosing a roll. |
Common buying mistakes
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Picking up a multipack for a one-off journey
The same mint range can appear as an individual roll and as several rolls sold together, so the brand name alone does not tell you how many packs you are buying.
Check the pack count as well as the weight, and look for labels such as “4 pack” before choosing.
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Assuming all sugar-free mints use the same sweeteners
Recipes differ. M&S lists sorbitol in its Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints, and the NHS notes that polyols can have a laxative effect in large amounts.
Read the sweetener list on the pack, particularly if you are choosing mints for a long journey.
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Judging dietary suitability by mint strength
A strong peppermint flavour does not establish whether a product is vegetarian or vegan. M&S lists beef gelatine in its conventional Curiously Strong Mints, while Waitrose & Partners lists Polo Original as vegan.
Check the ingredients and dietary statement on the exact pack you intend to buy.
Brands and retailer ranges
Polo
A peppermint range available in individual tubes and rolls as well as multipacks.
- Tesco Groceries lists a single 34g Polo Original tube and a 33.4g Polo Sugar Free roll.
- Waitrose & Partners lists Polo Original as vegan, but its nutrition information gives 95.6g sugars per 100g.
Trebor
Its Extra Strong Peppermint range includes individual rolls.
- Sainsbury's lists a 41.3g single roll; Waitrose & Partners lists a 41g roll.
- Check the ingredients and dietary statement on the exact roll if you have specific requirements.
Tesco
Its mints range includes individual Polo rolls alongside larger own-label packs.
- Tesco Groceries lists Polo Original in a 34g tube and Polo Sugar Free in a 33.4g roll.
- Check the pack count rather than assuming every mint listing is for one roll.
Sainsbury's
Its listings include single-roll pressed mints and chewy mint dragees.
- Sainsbury's lists a 41.3g Trebor Extra Strong Peppermint roll and a 38g Mentos Mint Chewy Dragees pack.
- Check the individual product and packet for ingredients and dietary information.
M&S
Its Curiously Strong range includes conventional roll-format mints and a small sugar-free pack.
- M&S lists an 18g Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints pack containing 0.2g sugars per 100g.
- Its conventional Curiously Strong Mints list beef gelatine; check the current packet when dietary ingredients matter.
Waitrose
Its mint listings include a single Trebor roll and Polo multipacks.
- Waitrose & Partners lists a 41g Trebor Extra Strong roll.
- The Polo Original and Polo Sugar Free items in its cited mint listing are four-packs, so check the pack count for a one-journey purchase.
Joybuy product options
This Joybuy option is a small sugar-free peppermint pack for someone choosing mints to take after food on a journey.
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Smint Peppermint Sugar Free Mints 35g
A small peppermint pack for a sugar-free choice after food. Check the sweeteners and dietary information on the current packet if these affect your choice.
Questions about mints for train journeys
Can I bring mints and my own food onto a train?
Yes. National Rail says passengers may bring their own food and drink on the train, so you can pack mints with your journey food.
What should I check if I want mints with less sugar?
Compare sugars per 100g on the products you are considering rather than judging by flavour strength. M&S lists 0.2g sugars per 100g for its Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints, while Waitrose & Partners lists 95.6g for Polo Original. Check the sweeteners too: the M&S sugar-free product contains sorbitol.
Do sugar-free mints need a different check before a long journey?
Check which sweeteners the pack contains. The NHS notes that polyols such as sorbitol can have a laxative effect if consumed in large amounts; M&S lists sorbitol in its Sugar Free Curiously Strong Mints.
Are peppermint rolls always vegetarian or vegan?
No. M&S lists beef gelatine in its conventional Curiously Strong Mints, whereas Waitrose & Partners lists Polo Original as suitable for vegans. Read the ingredients and dietary statement on the current pack.
Is a product page enough to check dietary suitability?
Use it to narrow your choice, then read the packet you are buying. Retailer food information and recipes can change, so the current ingredients and dietary statement matter for the exact pack.