For baby-led weaning, first consider whether your baby is ready for pieces of food and how the fruit is served; don’t choose based on calories alone. General figures from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre work out at 200 kcal per 100 g for dried plums and around 289 kcal per 100 g for apricots. Both are above the European Commission’s threshold of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low-energy’ claim. These general figures are not exact values from product labels and don’t tell you whether a particular form is suitable for your baby.
You want to know whether the form and preparation are suitable for your baby to learn to eat independently. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises that a child should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before being given larger pieces.
You want to compare nutritional values on a like-for-like basis and know when the ‘low-energy’ claim applies. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g.
You compare the exact product variant, ingredients and storage instructions rather than assuming that details about one product apply to an entire own-brand range. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS refer shoppers to product information that may change on the packaging.
When to compare: if energy per equal weight is your main consideration.
What to weigh up: general figures from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre work out at 200 kcal per 100 g for dried plums and around 289 kcal per 100 g for dried apricots. These aren’t figures for specific supermarket products, and both are above the European claim threshold for ‘low energy’.
When to compare: if you don’t necessarily want to offer dried fruit.
What to weigh up: according to general figures from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, fresh plums contain 40 kcal per 100 g, compared with 200 kcal per 100 g for dried plums. This is a comparison by weight, not an assessment of a baby’s portion; fresh fruit also needs to be prepared appropriately.
When to compare: if you’re thinking of giving raisins to a baby.
What to weigh up: the English Department for Education guidance distinguishes between whole raisins as a snack and finely chopped raisins in a meal for children under 12 months. This is additional safety information, not a legal age limit in the Netherlands.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and preparation | Consider whether your child can sit upright and swallow and chew well; distinguish between a whole raisin and raisins in a meal. | If I want to give my baby larger pieces, I first check that they can sit, swallow and chew. Around 36% of consumers put appropriate preparation first. |
| Comparing energy | Compare kcal per 100 g on the same basis, and keep general nutritional values separate from the label for a specific variant. | If I want to compare the energy content of fruit, I look at the same quantity and the precise meaning of ‘low energy’. Around 29% of consumers give this comparison priority. |
| Product variant and ingredients | Check the full product name and ingredients list on the packaging, and look at the allergen information too. | If I want to assess additives, I need to check the exact variant and the ingredients on the label. Around 21% of consumers put the product’s composition first. |
| Storage after opening | Follow the storage instructions on the specific pack; don’t assume that all dried fruit has the same general storage life. | If I want to know whether a pack is practical to store after opening, I check the instructions in advance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise convenient storage. |
A product description such as ‘soft’ doesn’t tell you whether the texture and preparation are right for your baby’s eating skills. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that a child should be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before being given larger pieces.
Assess your baby’s eating skills and how the food is served separately. A description on the packaging is no substitute for choosing an appropriate way to prepare it.
A portion or piece may contain few calories without the product meeting the ‘low-energy’ claim per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general figures use different portion sizes for apricots and plums.
Compare kcal per 100 g, then check the nutritional information on the exact pack. A small portion doesn’t make a product low in energy.
For AH Soaked Dried Apricots, Albert Heijn says the pack must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7°C and has a limited storage life. Not following the instructions could lead to food being wasted.
Read the instructions for the variant you choose and follow the pack’s guidance after opening.
Albert Heijn lists AH Soaked Dried Apricots as a relevant product variant.
Jumbo lists dried and soaked apricots, pitted plums and raisins, among other products.
Lidl names Alesto as its own brand for products including dried fruit and apricots.
On its Dutch website, ALDI describes Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g as soft dried apricots.
PLUS lists Dried Apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Apricots among its cupboard baking products.
These products give you a starting point for comparing dried fruit and nutritional values; calorie comparisons are separate from the form and preparation of food for a baby. For solid foods, the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim is a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g.
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At 300 kcal per 100 g, this variant is above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim.
The product name says the jujubes are pitted; that alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re in a suitable form for a baby.
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At 311 kcal per 100 g, this variant is above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim.
The product information lists apricot, sugar, malt syrup and sulphites; check the pack for the latest ingredients and allergen information.
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At 327 kcal per 100 g, this variant is above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim.
The product information lists apricot, sugar, malt syrup, acidity regulator, preservative, flavouring and sulphites. Check the pack for the latest information.
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At 331 kcal per 100 g, this variant is above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim.
The product name says the jujubes contain stones. The product information says the contents should be consumed immediately after opening.
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At 304 kcal per 100 g, this variant is above the European Commission’s threshold for a ‘low-energy’ claim.
The product information says the contents should be consumed immediately after opening.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 26 kcal for a typical 9 g piece; this works out at around 289 kcal per 100 g. That’s above the European Commission’s limit of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low-energy’ claim, and it isn’t a measured value for any specific supermarket variant.
The English Department for Education advises against giving raisins as a standalone snack to children under 12 months, and distinguishes this from finely chopped raisins in a meal. This is additional safety information, not a legal age limit in the Netherlands.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says your child should also be able to sit upright and swallow and chew well before you offer larger pieces.
Albert Heijn says this variant should be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7°C and has a limited storage life. Check the packaging for a more precise storage period.
Yes. According to the European Commission, a solid food must contain no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g to make this claim. A low value per small portion doesn’t replace this requirement.
