Choose dried fruit for baby-led weaning based on its suitability, preparation and ingredients, not on a sports-focused protein claim. The labels of the Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS apricot products reviewed list 3.2–4 g of protein per 100 g; these figures alone do not prove that a claim such as ‘high protein’ is permitted or that the fruit is suitable to give directly to a baby. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that larger pieces should match your baby’s ability to chew and swallow; UK safety guidance advises against giving whole dried fruit to babies under 1 year old.
You want to know whether the shape and texture are right for what your baby can chew and swallow. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists being able to sit upright and chew and swallow well as important conditions for offering larger pieces.
You’re searching for ‘high protein’, but don’t want to confuse protein figures and sports-focused messaging with suitability for baby food. Compare the labels for the exact product variant and assess any nutrition claim separately.
You buy dried fruit for family meals and want to adapt how you prepare it for your baby. Ingredients, possible stone fragments and storage instructions can all make a difference; for example, AH, Jumbo and PLUS list sulphites for the apricot variants reviewed.
Start by considering your baby’s eating skills and the preparation that suits them; only then look at protein, sugar and practical storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture, shape and stone fragments | Choose a shape and texture to suit your baby’s ability to chew and swallow; check for hard stones and read the variant’s allergen information. | When choosing fruit for a baby who is just starting to self-feed, I mainly want to know how to prepare it appropriately and what to check before serving. Around 36% of consumers put eating safely first. |
| Protein and the claim | Compare protein and energy per 100 g on the same basis; assess the claim requirements separately from the number of grams of protein. | If you search for ‘high protein’, you want to know what the label actually says and whether the claim applies to the exact product. Around 29% of consumers prioritise checking the protein claim. |
| Sugar and portion size | Check both total sugars and the ingredients; a standard pack serving is not automatically a suitable portion for a baby. | If you’re considering dried fruit for your child, you want to take the sugar information into account and decide for yourself how much to use. Around 21% of consumers make sugar and portion size their main priority. |
| Processing and storage | Check whether water is listed as an ingredient, how large the pack is and what the instructions say about storage after opening. | When using it in family meals, I want to know how the variant has been processed and whether the pack suits the way I use it. Around 14% of consumers focus mainly on preparation and storage after opening. |
For the variants reviewed, AH lists 4 g of protein per 100 g, Jumbo 3.2 g and PLUS 3.4 g. These figures come from the labels of those specific products; they are not independent measurements or proof that a product is suitable for babies. The European Commission and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explain that nutrition claims must meet the relevant requirements. Simply reading the grams of protein is therefore not the same as assessing a claim.
The AH and PLUS labels reviewed list 37 g and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g respectively, alongside 0 g of added sugars. This shows why ‘no added sugars’ does not mean low in total sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit and favours fresh fruit as a snack for children.
Soaked apricots are not automatically ready to give directly to your baby. Adapt the preparation to your baby’s eating skills, supervise them and check for hard stone fragments. UK safety guidance advises against giving whole raisins or dried fruit to babies under 1 year old and recommends cutting them into small pieces. This is UK safety guidance, not a Dutch legal age limit.
A product description such as ‘soft’ doesn’t tell you whether the texture is right for your baby’s ability to chew and swallow. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and baby-feeding safety guidance stress that shape and preparation matter.
First assess the texture you’re serving and prepare the fruit further if needed; check it before serving and supervise your baby.
AH lists 0 g of added sugars and 37 g of total sugars per 100 g; PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g. The total sugar figure still matters.
Read both the ingredients and the nutrition information, and don’t automatically treat the pack serving size as a recommended portion for a baby.
Protein figures on labels don’t by themselves prove a claim such as ‘high protein’, or indicate whether a product is suitable to give directly to a baby. The variants reviewed also differ in composition.
Compare figures per 100 g on the same basis, and treat the claim, ingredients and safe preparation as separate considerations.
The AH soaked apricots reviewed have specific storage instructions for after opening.
Follow the instructions on the pack for the exact variant and check them before choosing a pack.
According to its product page, the AH Soaked Dried Apricots reviewed contain 90% dried apricots and water.
Jumbo offers products including Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g; the product page for the variant reviewed lists 99.8% apricots.
Lidl presents Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit, including apricots.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
The PLUS Dried Apricots reviewed are sold in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk sells 1 de Beste Apricots in a 375 g pack and identifies 1 de Beste as its own brand.
These Joybuy products are dried apricots discussed as ingredients for dishes. The product information lists added sugar and sulphites for both; assess preparation for your baby separately.
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The product information suggests using them in recipes; assess the shape and preparation for your baby separately.
Protein: 0.9 g per 100 g.
Sugars: 64.5 g per 100 g; contains added sugar.
Contains sulphites.
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The product information suggests using them in dishes; prepare the fruit appropriately and assess the texture for your baby separately.
Protein: 1.1 g per 100 g.
Sugars: 62.0 g per 100 g; contains added sugar.
Contains sulphites. The product information describes whole apricots; UK safety guidance advises against giving whole dried fruit to babies under 1 year old.
Don’t assume whole dried fruit is a suitable baby-led weaning snack. Official UK safety guidance advises against giving whole raisins or dried fruit to babies under 1 year old and recommends cutting them into small pieces. For larger pieces, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says babies should be able to sit upright and chew and swallow well; the UK age guidance is not a Dutch legal limit.
No. The AH and Jumbo product pages reviewed warn that a stone or stone fragment may still be present despite checks. Check the fruit before preparing it and remove any hard stones.
No. Nutrition claims are covered by European rules and must meet the requirements for the specific claim. The European Commission and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provide information on this; a protein figure on a label does not by itself prove that a product meets the requirements.
No. The AH and PLUS labels reviewed list 0 g of added sugars, but also 37 g and 53.4 g of total sugars per 100 g respectively. Check both figures and consider how much you use.
Follow the instructions for the exact variant. AH Soaked Dried Apricots should be refrigerated at a maximum of 7°C after opening and have a limited shelf life. Don’t automatically apply these storage instructions to other dried fruit.
