If you’re mainly looking for a low-fat option, plain raisins and dried apricots with verifiable nutritional information are worth comparing: the AH, Jumbo and PLUS products reviewed each list 0.5 g of fat per 100 g. This matching figure does not show a reduction compared with a reference product. Compare energy and sugars per 100 g too, and serve an appropriate portion.
You want to choose a buffet snack based on the fat content shown on the label, not on an unsubstantiated association with ‘light’ or ‘reduced fat’. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS products reviewed each list 0.5 g of fat per 100 g.
As well as fat, you look at energy, sugars and how much you serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day.
Check the packaging of the exact product you’re serving. The Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed contain sulphites; Jumbo also lists possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame.
This table links key points to consider for your Boxing Day buffet with the needs of shoppers considering dried fruit from the supermarkets mentioned.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim; this does not prove a reduction compared with a reference product. | If you mainly want to know how much fat you’re serving, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Fat content is the top purchase priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portions, energy and sugars | Compare energy and total sugars per 100 g. The Jumbo apricots reviewed list 237 kcal and the PLUS apricots 254 kcal per 100 g; also check how much you serve. | If you’re also considering quantity and energy, you’ll want to look beyond fat alone. Around 25% of consumers put portions and energy at the top of their list. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and precautionary warnings on the packaging. The Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed contain sulphites; Jumbo lists possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame. | If you’re sharing fruit with guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, check the specific packaging. Suitability for guests with relevant sensitivities is a top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack size with what you need for the buffet: the AH raisins and Jumbo apricots reviewed come in 250 g packs; the PLUS apricots come in a 375 g pack. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If you want to buy enough without getting more than suits your plans, check the net weight. Around 13% of consumers put pack size at the top of their list. |
| Ease of buying | Check with your shop which ways to buy are available and what the opening hours are around the holiday. Dirk states that it does not offer a delivery service. | If you want to pick up or order the fruit easily, how you shop matters. Around 12% of consumers put ease of buying first. |
A low fat content per 100 g is an absolute value and does not show that the product contains less fat than a comparable reference product.
Compare the nutritional information and don’t make an unsubstantiated claim about reduced fat content.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 5.9 g of fat and 4.8 g of saturated fat per 20 g of banana chips. These are category figures, not nutritional values for a specific supermarket product.
Check the nutrition table for the exact product you want to serve.
Naturally occurring fruit sugars are also listed in the nutrition table.
Read both the ingredients list and the total sugars, and take the amount you serve into account.
AH Raisins are an own-brand product with nutritional information per 100 g.
Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots is a product variant with nutritional and allergen information.
Lidl describes Alesto as a range that includes dried fruit and mango strips.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s sun-dried apricots in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Dried Apricots are an own-brand product in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk lists own-brand 1 de Beste dried apricots in a 375 g pack.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g for a ‘low fat’ claim. This threshold does not mean the fat content has been reduced compared with a reference product.
No, the products reviewed have not been shown to have reduced fat content compared with a suitable reference product. AH Raisins and the Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed each list 0.5 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare nutritional information per 100 g first, as manufacturers set their own portion sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day; the portion size on a label doesn’t change that advice.
Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the product you’re serving. The Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed contain sulphites; Jumbo also lists possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. The raisins and apricots reviewed say to store in a cool, dry, dark place; this instruction applies to the fruit product and not automatically to a prepared dish.
Compare the product and batch details on your packaging with the specific warning. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority publishes warnings about unsafe food; knowing only the product category isn’t enough to establish whether your pack is affected.
