First, choose dried fruit based on the substance you or your guests need to avoid: a gluten-free or lactose-free label does not automatically tell you anything about other allergies. Then check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, and pack suitable portions separately for the picnic.
You’re looking for dried fruit that suits a specific allergy, a gluten-free diet or lactose intolerance. Check the ingredients, relevant dietary claims and warnings; a general impression of a product is no proof that it’s suitable for every dietary restriction. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains allergen labelling.
You check for sulphites separately, even when a product is labelled vegan or has no added sugar. The Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphite as a preservative, so check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product.
You want to bring snacks for a range of guests and minimise cross-contact during transport and sharing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Allergieplatform recommend packing suitable products separately; using separate, clearly identifiable cutlery also helps keep them apart when serving.
Start with the substance someone needs to avoid. Then consider portions and packaging for the picnic; these practical preferences don’t replace checking the ingredients and warnings.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| The substance you need to avoid | Check the ingredients, dietary claims and relevant warnings on the current packaging. | If I need to account for a specific allergy or gluten-free diet, I check that restriction first. Around 31% of consumers would choose this as their top buying priority. |
| Sulphites | Look for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and the E220 label. | If I need to avoid sulphites, I want to be able to assess this separately from other dietary characteristics. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Added sugar and portion size | Compare added sugars with total sugars per 100 g and decide on the portion size in advance. | If I want to avoid added sugar and prepare portions, I check both figures. Around 19% of consumers would make this their top priority; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than a handful of dried fruit. |
| Packing separately | Check whether you can seal the snack separately and serve it with separate cutlery. | For a picnic with a guest who has a food allergy, I want to keep their suitable snack separate. Around 13% of consumers would see separate transport and serving as their top priority. |
| Suitable quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of portions you need. | If I’m packing for a small group, I don’t want to bring more than I need. Around 12% of consumers would choose pack size as their top buying priority. |
A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergies. The type of fruit itself may also be relevant if someone has a fruit allergy.
First identify what needs to be avoided, then check the ingredients, dietary claims and relevant warnings on the current packaging.
These characteristics alone don’t tell you whether sulphites are present. Jumbo Dried Apricots Without Stones and PLUS Dried apricots list E220/SULPHITES.
Check the ingredients and allergen information separately for sulphites in the product you want to bring.
Sharing can lead to cross-contact, even if the snack seemed suitable when you bought it.
Pack the portion for the guest with an allergy separately and use separate, clearly identifiable cutlery.
No added sugar doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than a handful of dried fruit.
Prepare portions in advance and compare added and total sugars separately.
These examples show what product information is available for each brand or type of product. A claim made for one product doesn’t guarantee the same for other products from that brand.
AH Raisins and AH Organic Raisins are examples with specific dietary claims.
Jumbo Dried Apricots Without Stones 250 g has product information about ingredients and allergens.
Alesto is a Lidl range that includes nuts, dried fruit and party snacks.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Raisins in a 500 g pack.
PLUS Dried apricots are listed in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk lists raisins in a 750 g pack.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit to take with you or portion out. Always check the current product information before eating, and take account of each guest’s specific dietary restrictions.
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The product description lists six individual 25 g bags, making it easy to take a portion with you or serve separately.
According to the product description, jackfruit is the only ingredient and the product contains no added sugar. The description also says it doesn’t contain any of the 14 major EU allergens; this isn’t a general guarantee that it’s free from all allergens and doesn’t address possible fruit allergies.
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The product title lists a 25 g pack, designed as a small portion to take with you.
According to the product description, jackfruit is the only ingredient and the product contains no added sugar. The allergen information in the description isn’t a general guarantee for every allergy; if you have a fruit allergy, consider whether jackfruit is suitable for you.
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The product description suggests sharing them as a snack and lists a 908 g pack; once opened, it recommends storing them in a tightly sealed container.
According to the product description, there are no added ingredients or preservatives. The description lists black dates as the ingredient and says the product doesn’t contain any of the 14 major EU allergens; this isn’t a general guarantee that it’s free from all allergens and doesn’t rule out a reaction to dates.
Yes, the claim is regulated. The European Commission refers to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, which sets out the conditions for the claims ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’. A gluten-free claim only answers the question about gluten; it doesn’t automatically address other dietary requirements.
No. Lactose intolerance is related to milk sugar, while with a cow’s milk allergy, the immune system reacts to milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, don’t choose a product based solely on a lactose-free claim.
No, you should also consider the type of fruit itself. Information about the legal list of 14 allergens doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a fruit allergy; discuss whether it’s suitable for you with your healthcare professional.
The NVWA states that a warning must not be used if the applicable reference values cannot be exceeded. This policy covers the 14 allergens on the EU list and isn’t a general guarantee that a product is free from all allergens. Consider warnings alongside the ingredients information.
Pack the suitable snack separately from products containing allergens and give the guest their own clearly identifiable cutlery. Use clean, tightly sealed containers for transport. This helps minimise contact between snacks, but doesn’t replace checking the product.
