Snack shoppers with a food allergy
You want to choose an option based on the allergen you need to avoid and any warnings about possible unintended presence, rather than its general product description.
Who is this comparison for?
Shoppers avoiding gluten or sulphites
You’re looking for information about your specific dietary restriction: a gluten-free claim tells you something different from a listing for sulphite as a preservative.
Everyday snack shoppers looking to limit added sugar
You compare the ingredients and nutritional information, bearing in mind that no added sugar is not the same as no sugars.
What should you look for when buying?
Start with the substance you want to avoid. Then check the ingredients and allergen information, before seeing whether the pack and product suit your needs.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might find this more important? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Check the warnings for the specific allergen you need to avoid; a short ingredients list isn’t enough. | If I need to avoid peanuts or a particular nut, I want to choose an option that suits my dietary restriction. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a specific allergen or the possibility of cross-contamination. |
| Sulphites | Check for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and preservatives such as E220. | If sulphites are the deciding factor for me, I don’t want to rely solely on a ‘no added sugar’ claim. Around 25% of consumers make avoiding sulphites their top priority. |
| Gluten-free | Check the claim for the exact product variant and assess any other restrictions separately. | If gluten is my main restriction, I look for information that relates specifically to the product variant. Around 19% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten. |
| Added and total sugars | Compare both figures per 100 g and bear in mind how much you eat. | If you want to limit added sugar, you’ll also want to know how much total sugar the dried fruit contains. Around 13% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Packaging and use | Compare pack sizes and storage instructions; only compare costs between options that suit your diet. | Once I know what my dietary requirements are, I want to choose a pack that’s practical to store and finish. Around 12% of consumers then focus mainly on convenience and cost. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a gluten-free claim means the product is free from all allergens
A claim about a specific dietary requirement doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable if you have another allergy. Albert Heijn warns that its dried pineapple may contain peanuts and several types of nuts.
Compare the product information with the exact substances you need to avoid, and assess each restriction separately.
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Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with sugar-free or sulphite-free
PLUS states that its dried apricots have no added sugar, but also lists E220 (sulphite). These details answer different questions about the product.
Check the sugar information and preservatives separately.
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Reading only the ingredients list
Ingredients and warnings about possible unintended presence provide different information. A short list on its own doesn’t prove that an allergen can’t be present.
Also read the allergen or precautionary information on the current packaging.
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Buying loose dried fruit without asking about allergens
Products sold loose at a market stall may not have a pack label for you to check. The NVWA states that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods.
Before buying, ask about the exact product and, if it matters to you, how it is handled alongside shared storage or scoops.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
One specific example is AH Biologisch Ananas gedroogd & ongezoet, 80 g.
- Albert Heijn states that this variant is gluten-free and lactose-free, with 0 g of added sugars.
- Albert Heijn warns that this pineapple may contain peanuts and several types of nuts. These claims apply to this variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen 250 g is an example with a simple ingredients list.
- Jumbo lists raisins and cottonseed oil as ingredients.
- This ingredients list alone is not a general claim that the product is allergen-free or sulphite-free.
Lidl
Lidl’s Dutch Alesto range includes dried fruit products such as dried mango strips.
- Lidl’s range description mentions dried mango strips.
- A general description of the range doesn’t confirm the allergen information for a specific variant.
ALDI
Dutch product descriptions include Trader Joe’s sun-dried apricots, 250 g, and raisins, 500 g.
- The product types and pack sizes are specified for each example.
- These product descriptions alone don’t confirm suitability for a specific dietary restriction.
PLUS
The own-brand examples reviewed are Sultana raisins and dried apricots, both in 375 g bags.
- PLUS states that its Sultana raisins are gluten-free and lactose-free; the ingredients are raisins and sunflower oil.
- PLUS lists E220 (sulphite) for its dried apricots. Product information varies by variant.
Dirk
In the product description reviewed, Dirk offers 1 de Beste Abrikozen in a 375 g pack.
- Dirk describes the apricots as suitable for a snack, breakfast or baking, among other uses.
- A description of how a product can be used, or of its taste or texture, doesn’t in itself tell you whether it’s suitable if you have an allergy.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These products are dried or freeze-dried fruit. Compare the ingredients and dietary claims for each variant; a product listing is not a general guarantee that it is free from particular substances.
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MUSHAN BASE Freeze-Dried Jackfruit 150g (25g x 6)
An option to compare if you’re looking for jackfruit with no added sugar; if you have a dietary restriction, check the current packaging too.
The product description states that it contains 100% jackfruit and has no added sugar. The pack contains six 25 g portions; the description lists no allergens.
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OHLA Dried Guava 180g
Consider this variant if you’re looking for dried guava and are happy for sugar to be included in the ingredients.
The ingredients list includes guava (95%), sugar and a preservative. The product description states that the product does not contain any of the 14 main EU allergens; check the packaging to make sure it meets your specific requirements.
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MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices 50g
An option to compare if you’re looking for dried strawberries to eat as they are or use as a topping.
The ingredients list includes dried strawberries and sugar; the pack contains 50 g. The product description states that the product does not contain any of the 14 main EU allergens. Consider this claim separately from your specific dietary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is gluten-free dried fruit automatically free from other allergens?
No. Albert Heijn states that AH Biologisch Ananas gedroogd & ongezoet is gluten-free and lactose-free, but also warns that this variant may contain peanuts and several types of nuts. Assess each restriction separately.
What do warnings about possible cross-contamination mean?
They indicate the possible unintended presence of an allergen and are separate from ingredients that have been deliberately added. The Dutch rules on precautionary allergen labelling have applied since 1 January 2026. The NVWA gives examples of wording such as ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. A warning is based on a risk assessment.
Does a market stall have to provide allergen information for loose dried fruit?
Yes. The NVWA states that information about the specified allergens must also be available for unpackaged foods. Staff may provide the information verbally under certain conditions: the seller must be able to answer your question directly before purchase and have written or electronic information available for staff and inspectors. A notice at the point of sale must tell you that you can ask for allergen information.
How can you spot sulphites in dried fruit?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and preservatives such as E220. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphites as a preservative that may be listed as E220–E228; PLUS specifically lists E220 (sulphite) for its dried apricots.
What should you do if the online product information differs from the packaging?
Use the current packaging to assess the product, and ask customer services for clarification if the information conflicts. PLUS warns that ingredients and allergy information may change and advises customers to read the packaging.