Who is this guide for?

Snack buyers checking for allergens

You’re looking for a small snack, but ingredients and warnings about substances you avoid come before taste and packaging. Even with a plain product, it’s important to read any cross-contamination warnings.

Snack buyers avoiding sulphites

You want to take dried fruit with you without choosing a variant that conflicts with your sulphite avoidance advice. Stichting Voedselallergie distinguishes sulphite sensitivity as an intolerance rather than a food allergy; the apricot variant examined lists sulphites.

Snack buyers looking for pre-portioned options

After checking the ingredients, you want to be able to pop a measured portion into your bag. Boxes with a stated portion size may suit your needs.

What should you look out for?

First check whether the exact variant is compatible with your avoidance advice. Then portion size, ingredients and how much preparation is involved can help you decide.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Ingredients and cross-contamination Read the full ingredients list and any cross-contamination warning. The NVWA explains that the legal list covers 14 allergens. I want both the ingredients and any warning to be compatible with what I avoid; around 28% of consumers put this allergen check first.
Sulphites Check whether the exact variant lists sulphur dioxide E220 or sulphites. The AH raisins with pieces of apricot examined list both. If I need to avoid sulphites, I also check mixed-fruit variants; around 22% of consumers give avoiding sulphites top priority.
Portions for on the go Compare the number of boxes and the weight per portion: AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists ten 14 g portions; Jumbo lists fourteen 14 g boxes. When I’m out and about, I want to take a clearly defined portion without weighing it first; around 22% of consumers put this convenience first.
Composition and quantity Compare the nutritional values per 100 g with the portion size. Albert Heijn lists 65 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g for the raisins examined. I want to assess the ingredients and quantity together, rather than treating a single dietary claim as the answer to every question; around 17% of consumers prioritise this combination of ingredients and portion size.
Portioning it yourself Check the net weight and whether you’ll need to weigh and package the portions yourself. The PLUS stand-up pouch contains 375 g and has no stated individual portions for taking with you. I want to choose the quantity myself and am prepared to weigh and package it; around 11% of consumers put this approach first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a short ingredients list means the product is suitable for every allergy

    Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients, but also warns that it may contain various nuts, milk and soya.

    Read the ingredients list and cross-contamination warning separately, and check both against your avoidance advice.

  • Assuming gluten-free or lactose-free means sulphite-free

    The AH variant with raisins and pieces of apricot that was examined is labelled gluten-free and lactose-free, but also lists sulphites.

    Check every substance you avoid against the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact flavour variant.

  • Confusing no added sugars with no sugars

    Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Hamsterchef Raisins. These are different nutritional values.

    Check the total nutritional values alongside the 14 g portion size, rather than relying solely on the statement about added sugars.

  • Treating a large bag as if it already contains portions for taking with you

    The PLUS Sultana raisins examined come in a 375 g stand-up pouch; you’ll need to weigh and package them yourself if you want individual portions to take with you.

    Decide in advance whether portioning it yourself suits the way you’ll use it, and keep the product information with the portions.

Brands for reference

Albert Heijn

The Hamsterchef range examined includes plain raisins and raisins with pieces of apricot, in ten 14 g snack boxes.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists portion sizes and ingredients.
  • The apricot variant lists sulphites; check the exact variant rather than assuming the whole range is suitable for your avoidance advice.

Jumbo

Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes is a snack for taking with you, with fourteen 14 g boxes.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists raisins and sunflower oil, and warns that the product may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
  • NU.nl reported on 14 November 2025 that a batch with barcode 8718452534326 and best-before date 28-07-2026 had been recalled. Do not consume this batch; the notice does not automatically apply to other batches.

Lidl

Lidl lists dried exotic fruit in various 200 g variants, available in store only.

  • The product listing states the pack size and in-store availability.
  • Check the ingredients and warnings on the variant you choose; the product listing is not a guarantee that it is suitable for a specific allergy.

ALDI

ALDI’s product page lists Trader Joe's raisins in a 500 g pack.

  • The product name and pack size are listed on ALDI’s product page.
  • The brand name and pack size alone don’t tell you whether the product is compatible with your avoidance advice; check the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS Sultana raisins come in a 375 g stand-up pouch and contain raisins and sunflower oil.

  • PLUS’s product information lists the ingredients and advises storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
  • The gluten-free and lactose-free claims don’t tell you whether the product is suitable for other avoidance requirements. PLUS states that product information may change.

Dirk

Dirk’s range includes 1 de Beste Sultana raisins in a 375 g pack, golden raisins and other dried fruit.

  • The product listings offer a range of fruit and pack options as a starting point for checking the ingredients.
  • A product name or flavour doesn’t tell you whether a variant is compatible with your avoidance advice; check the ingredients and warnings on the pack you choose.

Joybuy products

These are larger packs of dried fruit for anyone who wants to measure out their own portions. Always check the current packaging for ingredients and warnings relevant to your avoidance advice.

Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g pack

Zohra Medjool Dates (M), 908 g

This pack is suitable if you want to measure out your own portions; check the full packaging for ingredients and warnings relevant to your avoidance advice.

Medjool dates; 908 g.

View at Joybuy
Haoxiangni pitted jujubes, 500 g pack

Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes, 500 g

This pack is suitable if you want to measure out your own portions; check the full packaging for ingredients and warnings relevant to your avoidance advice.

Pitted jujubes; 500 g.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What does the warning ‘May contain X’ mean?

This warning refers to possible cross-contamination, not an ingredient that has been deliberately added. According to the NVWA, a warning must be based on a risk assessment; the NVWA also gives ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’ as an example of wording. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has checked the rules on cross-contamination warnings for prepacked products during inspections. Assess the substance named in the warning in line with your personal avoidance advice.

Is sulphite sensitivity the same as a food allergy?

No. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphite sensitivity as an intolerance reaction, not an allergic reaction. Sulphites can still be relevant when choosing dried fruit: the AH variant with raisins and pieces of apricot examined lists sulphites. Follow your personal avoidance advice when making your choice.

Can I rely solely on the online product page?

Check the packaging before eating the product too. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product information may change. If you make your own portions, keep the information from the original packaging with them.

Does drying fruit automatically make it suitable if you react to fruit?

No. The term ‘dried fruit’ is not a general guarantee that a product is free from substances you need to avoid. Allergie Centra Nederland describes several possible causes of reactions to fruit; the product category name doesn’t tell you which types of fruit or preparations are suitable for your personal advice.

Which Jumbo recall should I distinguish from other packs?

NU.nl reported on 14 November 2025 that Jumbo Snoeprozijntjes with barcode 8718452534326 and best-before date 28-07-2026 had been recalled because they may contain too much acetamiprid. Do not eat this recalled batch; the best-before date has now passed. The notice applies to that batch only and doesn’t prove that other batches have the same problem.