Choose dried fruit based on the specific substance your child needs to avoid; a ‘gluten-free’ or ‘lactose-free’ claim does not mean a product is free from all allergens. AH Organic Raisins and PLUS Sultana Raisins are labelled gluten-free and lactose-free, but you should also check the current label for other relevant ingredients and warnings. If sulphites need to be avoided, a product with added sulphites, such as the Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots reviewed here, is not a suitable choice. Keep portions small and alternate dried fruit with fresh fruit, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You’re looking for a snack suitable for a diagnosed allergy or intolerance. Distinguish between ingredients, specific ‘free-from’ claims and warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on food labels.
You’re looking for dried fruit with no added sulphites and don’t want to confuse ‘unsulphured’ with ‘free from other additives’. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a preservative that may be labelled E220–E228.
You want to offer a small portion after school and are keeping an eye on total and added sugars, packaging and storage instructions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit and advises choosing fresh fruit instead.
First check which substance your child needs to avoid, then consider sulphites, sugar information and the amount you plan to serve. A ‘free-from’ claim applies to specific substances, so check the rest of the label too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific dietary needs | Read the ingredients, the relevant ‘free-from’ claim and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I’m catering for a diagnosed allergy or intolerance, I want to be able to check for the exact substance; around 33% of consumers prioritise suitability for a specific diet. |
| Sulphites and other additives | Check for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and E220–E228; assess other preservatives separately. | If sulphites need to be avoided, I check for them separately from other additives; around 20% of consumers are primarily concerned with avoiding sulphites. |
| Sugars and portion size | Compare added sugars with total sugars and serve a small portion. | For a small after-school snack, I look at both total and added sugars; around 27% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the pack size and follow the storage instructions; for apricots, look out for a warning about fragments of stones. | If I’m preparing a snack every day, a manageable quantity and clear storage instructions matter; around 20% of consumers put convenience and portioning first. |
These claims refer to specific properties. ‘Lactose-free’ does not prove that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy, where milk proteins are the concern.
Start with the substance your child actually needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and relevant warnings on the current packaging.
AH Organic Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. PLUS Sultana Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Check both figures and serve a small portion; don’t automatically use the contents of a whole pack as a snack portion.
The AH Unsulphured Apricots reviewed here contain potassium sorbate (E202). The Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots reviewed here contain E220 and are labelled as containing sulphites.
Check the ingredients list for sulphites and other preservatives separately.
For the Dried Pitted Apricots reviewed here, Jumbo warns that occasional pieces of stone or stone fragments may be present.
Read the usage warning and stay with your child while they eat.
AH Organic Raisins are a specific option for anyone looking for raisins labelled gluten-free and lactose-free.
Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots are an example of a product where the ingredients and allergen warnings matter.
PLUS Sultana Raisins in a stand-up pouch are a handy option if you want to portion them yourself.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack on its Dutch website.
Lidl lists a dried fruit mix on its Dutch website.
Dirk lists raisins in a 750 g pack.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit for snack times. Check the ingredients and current label for each product before choosing it to meet a specific dietary need.
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The product description presents the dates as a snack and says they are pitted.
Pack size: 908 g. The description does not mention any additives or preservatives.
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The product description identifies them as raisins and suggests enjoying them as a snack.
The ingredients are described as 100% dried grapes. The description also includes storage instructions for after opening.
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The product description presents the pitted prunes as a snack in a portable pack.
Pack size: 108 g. The ingredients include white sugar. The product description mentions phenylalanine and says the product is not suitable for people with phenylketonuria.
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The product description presents these dried plums as ready to eat, in a portable stand-up pouch.
Pack size: 90 g. The ingredients include white sugar and sweeteners.
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The product description presents the prunes as a snack in individual 65 g packs.
The ingredients include fructose syrup and oligofructose.
No. Lactose is milk sugar; cow’s milk allergy involves milk proteins. So don’t treat a ‘lactose-free’ claim as proof that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy, and follow your child’s dietary advice.
Read the ingredients list and any precautionary warnings separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens used as ingredients must be listed; warnings may indicate a risk of unintended presence. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been overseeing the new rules on allergen warnings.
No. The AH Unsulphured Apricots reviewed here contain potassium sorbate (E202). Check separately whether the product is unsulphured and what other ingredients or preservatives are listed on the label.
No. AH Organic Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g; PLUS Sultana Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. Check both figures and keep portions small.
Serve a small amount and stay with your child while they eat; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions and advises choosing fresh fruit instead. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For apricots, also look out for any warnings about stone fragments.
