Take them along with no preparation
You want to take a little something with you on the way to your board game night, already portioned and ready to share. Individual packs fit the bill; Albert Heijn lists ten boxes in its Hamsterchef raisins pack.
Which option suits you?
Portion them yourself
You want to prepare different amounts for yourself or the group in advance. A larger bag gives you the flexibility to portion them yourself; PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Choose ingredients carefully
You pay attention to the ingredients and any food sensitivities in your group. Check the information on the pack for the variant you choose; the NVWA says that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
Choose a pack based on how much preparation you’re happy to do. For fruit mixes, check the ingredients and storage information too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking them along and sharing | Check whether the portions are individually packed, how many are in the pack and how many grams each portion contains. | If I don’t want to weigh anything just before leaving, I look for portions I can hand out straight away; around 36% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking snacks along. |
| Portion size | Compare the weight per portion and add up multiple portions. The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day; this is nutritional guidance, not a legal limit for packaging. | If I want to decide how much to have during the evening in advance, I’m happy to put in the preparation time; around 28% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the pack for the exact variant. | If I’m choosing for a group, I want to check exactly what’s inside first, especially when anyone has food sensitivities; around 18% of consumers prioritise checking the ingredients. |
| Leftovers and storage | Check the total contents and storage instructions, and consider how much you’ll be able to use after the evening. | I don’t want to take more than I can use later, so I pay attention to pack size and storage; around 18% of consumers prioritise using leftovers and choosing a suitable quantity. |
Pitfalls when choosing dried fruit
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Assuming all fruit mixes have the same ingredients
Additives vary between variants. Albert Heijn’s apricot mix lists sulphites.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack before choosing something for the group.
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Buying a larger bag without a plan for the leftovers
A larger pack isn’t automatically a portion you can take with you straight away. Store any leftovers according to the instructions for that variant.
Choose a pack size based on how much you expect to use, and portion out what you need in advance.
A larger bag takes preparation and may leave you with leftovers to store and use later.
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Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean there are no sugars
Albert Heijn says that AH Hamsterchef raisins contain no added sugars, while the nutrition table still shows the sugars present in the product.
As well as checking information about added sugars, read the nutrition table for the variant you choose.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Worth considering for pre-portioned raisins and raisin and fruit mixes.
- Albert Heijn lists ten small portions in its Hamsterchef raisins pack.
- The apricot variant has different ingredients and lists sulphites; check the pack for each variant.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you’re looking for larger packs of raisins or individual types of dried fruit.
- Jumbo lists raisins in various pack sizes, which are suitable if you want to portion them yourself.
- If you want to take individual grab bags along, you’ll need to portion a larger pack yourself.
Lidl
Within the specified Lidl range, Alesto is the relevant dried fruit line.
- Lidl presents Alesto mango strips as a snack for when you’re out and about, among other uses.
- For a specific variant, check the product information and ingredients on the pack.
ALDI
Worth considering for a larger pack of raisins that you can portion yourself.
- ALDI’s product page lists Trader Joe's raisins in a 500 g pack.
- This size is not individually packed for taking with you.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana raisins are listed in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- The product information lists the ingredients and storage instructions.
- PLUS warns that, despite checks, stalks and stones may still be present.
Dirk
Worth considering for raisins in a larger pack that you can portion yourself.
- Dirk lists raisins in a 750 g pack.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so bear this in mind if you’re looking for home delivery.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
This selection of Joybuy products comprises dried fruit described in the product information as a snack or something to take with you. Check the ingredients and pack contents for each variant.
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OHLA dried guava 180 g
A good option if you want to take dried guava along as well as raisins.
According to the product information on Joybuy, the pack contains 180 g. The ingredients list shows 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
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Be&Cheery dried plums 90 g
A good option if you’re considering dried plums as a snack to take with you.
According to the product information on Joybuy, this is a ready-to-eat product in a 90 g stand-up pouch. The ingredients list shows plums, sugar, salt, a preservative, sodium saccharin and flavourings.
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MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50 g
A good option if you want to take a different type of dried fruit from raisins.
According to the product information on Joybuy, the pack contains 50 g; the ingredients are dried strawberries and sugar. The description mentions resealable packaging.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts 252 g
A good option if you want to take raisins along as a snack.
According to the product information on Joybuy, the pack contains 252 g; the ingredients list shows 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil. The description advises keeping the pack tightly closed after opening.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140 g
A good option if you want to take raisins along in pre-portioned boxes.
According to the product information on Joybuy, the pack contains ten 14 g boxes. The product description says it is suitable from 12 months; supervise children while they eat and do not give the product to children with swallowing difficulties.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a suitable daily amount of dried fruit?
The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. This is nutritional guidance, not a legal limit for a snack pack; add up multiple portions.
How should I store the rest of a larger bag?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack for the variant you choose. For PLUS Sultana raisins, PLUS says to store the bag in a cool, dry and dark place.
Can I choose a fruit mix for someone who needs to avoid sulphites?
Check the ingredients for the exact variant first. AH Hamsterchef raisins and apricot pieces lists sulphites, so it isn’t suitable for someone who needs to avoid them.
Where can I find allergen information for prepacked dried fruit?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. Since 1 January 2026, rules have also applied to precautionary warnings about cross-contamination.
When should I choose boxes and when should I choose a larger bag?
Choose boxes if you want to hand out portions without weighing them yourself. A larger bag is a good fit if you want to decide the amount yourself and can store what’s left according to the storage instructions.