A larger pack of dried raisins makes sense if your household will actually use them; the pack size says nothing about whether they’re suitable for your baby. Consider how to serve them separately from what you buy: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, babies should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before having larger pieces, and raisins require close supervision.
You want to know whether dried fruit suits your baby’s eating skills before choosing a pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that being able to sit upright and swallow and chew well are important when offering larger pieces; raisins also need to be closely supervised.
You buy raisins for several family members and want to choose an amount that matches how much your household uses. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that a larger supply shouldn’t determine how much your baby has.
You don’t want to buy more than you’ll use, so you’re considering smaller bags or multipacks. The ranges at retailers including Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn include a variety of pack sizes.
Choose a pack based on what your household uses, and separately consider whether and how raisins suit your baby’s stage of eating.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating skills and how to serve | Check that your baby can sit upright and swallow and chew well; don’t give them lots of raisins at once, and stay with them. | As a parent, I want to consider my baby’s stage of eating, not the size of the bag. Around 36% of consumers put serving food appropriately at the top of their list. |
| How much your household needs | Compare the net weight with what your family actually uses; a larger bag requires more careful stock management. | When buying for the whole household, I don’t want to buy more than we’ll use. Around 29% of consumers prefer a pack size that suits household use. |
| Ingredients and nutritional role | Check the ingredients list and any allergen information on the label of the exact product. | If I want to know what’s in the bag, I look beyond words such as ‘fruit’ or ‘natural’. Around 21% of consumers look at this first. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a single bag or multipack to suit how much you use, and follow the product’s storage instructions. | If we don’t use much, I want to keep our supplies manageable and store the pack according to the instructions. Around 14% of consumers put stock management first. |
The size of the pack doesn’t change your baby’s eating skills or the risk of choking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raisins and currants can pose a choking risk.
Consider your baby’s stage of eating separately from how much you buy. Don’t give them lots of raisins at once, and stay with your child while they eat.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says dried fruit contains a lot of sugar. A claim about added sugar doesn’t determine how much your child should eat.
Don’t let the pack size determine how much or how often your child has dried fruit.
Storage advice for raisins doesn’t automatically apply to other dried fruit or mixed products.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the exact product. Also check raisins for signs of drying out, hardening, discolouration or mould.
Albert Heijn lists sun-dried raisins in single packs and in 2-pack and 4-pack options.
Jumbo lists sultanas in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs.
Lidl lists a range of raisin products under the Belbake name.
ALDI Netherlands lists a 500 g pack of raisins under the Trader Joe’s name.
PLUS lists sultanas in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk lists raisins in 750 g packs and 1 de Beste sultanas in 375 g packs.
No. The pack doesn’t determine whether raisins are suitable for your baby’s stage of eating. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, your baby should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before having larger pieces. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises waiting before offering snacks during the first stage of introducing solid foods.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide says opened raisins can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Also follow the instructions on the packaging of the exact product, and don’t use the raisins if you notice signs of deterioration such as drying out, hardening, discolouration or mould.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, dried fruit contains a lot of sugar, even when no sugar has been added. So don’t take this claim as a reason to give your child more or to replace fresh fruit entirely.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the exact product. According to the European Union, any allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
Compare the net weight with what your household actually uses, and bear in mind the storage instructions for after opening. A larger pack is a way to manage your household supplies; it doesn’t determine how many raisins your baby has.
