During the first tastes stage, a box of dried fruit isn’t automatically a suitable snack to eat on its own: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises waiting before offering snacks at this stage. Around your baby’s first birthday, you could consider offering a small portion of raisins occasionally. However, eating skills, an appropriate texture and supervision matter more than the convenience of the packaging.
You want to know whether dried fruit is suitable for independent eating before buying a snack pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre emphasises that your child’s eating stage and skills should be considered when making your choice.
You’re looking for a small amount to offer during a supervised eating occasion away from home, for example when your child is around their first birthday. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says small, occasional portions of raisins may be an option at around this age.
You want to decide how much to offer and check the ingredients, allergen information and storage advice on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) provides information about allergen labelling; always check the product label for the contents.
When: If your baby is still at the first tastes stage, don’t let the packaging decide whether it’s time for a snack.
Consider: You’ll have fewer ready-to-go options, but you won’t let the convenience of the packaging take the place of your baby’s eating stage.
When: If your child is around their first birthday and can manage the texture you’re offering, you could consider giving them a small amount of raisins occasionally.
Consider: Individual packs are easy to take with you, but the weight shown on the box isn’t a recommended portion for a baby.
When: If you want to decide how much to offer and the fruit is suitable for your child’s eating stage.
Consider: You’ll need to portion it yourself and follow the storage advice; a larger bag has no proven safety advantage.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating stage and texture | Consider whether your child can chew and swallow the texture. Make sure they sit upright safely while eating and stay with them. | If you first want to know whether your child is ready for this texture, ask yourself that before buying a snack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise eating stage and safety. |
| Quantity and sugars | Compare the weight per box with the nutritional information; a shop-bought portion isn’t a baby portion. | If you want to keep the amount small and check the sugars per portion, look at both the weight and the nutritional information. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quantity and sugar. |
| Taking food out and when to eat it | Check how many individual boxes are included and plan an occasion when you can supervise your child. | If pre-portioned boxes make food easier to take out, a calm, supervised eating occasion is still important. Around 21% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking food out. |
| Ingredients and portioning | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, and follow the storage advice. | If you want to check the ingredients or measure out an amount yourself, check the label and storage instructions on that specific pack. Around 14% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portioning for themselves. |
The packaging can’t tell you whether your child can chew and swallow the texture. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises waiting before offering snacks during the first tastes stage.
First, consider your child’s eating stage and the textures they can manage. Make sure they sit upright safely while eating and supervise them.
Albert Heijn states that AH Hamsterchef Raisins contain 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. These figures don’t mean the same thing.
Check the total sugars and portion weight separately.
As well as raisins and sunflower oil, Jumbo states that the product may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
If you have a known allergy, check both the ingredients and the warnings on the current packaging.
AH Hamsterchef Raisins are an option that comes in individual boxes.
Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes is a multipack with individual portions.
Belbake Raisins is an identified dried fruit product from Lidl.
Trader Joe’s Raisins is described as a larger pack for portioning yourself.
PLUS Sultana Raisins is described as a stand-up pouch for those who portion it themselves.
1 de Beste Blanke Raisins is described as a larger pack for portioning yourself.
This selection includes raisins and dried plums, either in larger packs for portioning yourself or as individually packed products to take out with you. A product listing alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for your child.
No image available
Could be suitable if you want to measure out an amount of raisins yourself; the product name lists a 252 g pack.
No image available
For anyone looking for individually packed raisins. The product information says they are for children over 12 months, not suitable for those with swallowing difficulties, and should be eaten under supervision.
No image available
An option if you’re looking for dried plums rather than raisins. Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack before choosing.
No. The weight on the box is a packaging portion, not a recommended portion for a baby. Don’t automatically give them the whole contents, and consider the occasion and your child’s eating skills.
No. Around your child’s first birthday, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you could consider offering a small portion of raisins occasionally. However, texture and the ability to chew and swallow remain important. For larger pieces, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises making sure your child can sit upright and chew and swallow well.
The NHS advises giving toddlers dried fruit with meals rather than between meals because of tooth decay. This is additional UK guidance; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre mentions small, occasional portions of raisins between meals.
Follow the storage advice on your product’s packaging. PLUS Sultana Raisins says to store in a cool, dry, dark place; this advice doesn’t automatically apply to all dried fruit.
If your child has a known allergy, check the ingredients and any warning about possible traces on the packaging of that specific product. Jumbo’s raisin boxes carry a warning that the product may contain various nuts, milk and soya.
