Choose the pack size based on how much dried fruit you want to put out on the buffet and what you’ll do with any leftovers. A large pack, a multipack of individual items and a fruit mix suit different plans, so check the ingredients and storage instructions too. If anyone has an allergy or sensitivity, check the current label on each product you choose.
You want to buy enough dried fruit and choose a pack size that suits your buffet. Compare the amount in each pack and consider how much you’ll actually use afterwards. Product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and other retailers mentioned shows that pack sizes and ingredients vary.
You’re matching the quantity to your buffet and what you’ll use later. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the multipacks reviewed are supplied as individual items, so you can keep unopened packs separate. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
You want to know which types of fruit, added sugars and allergens are in the product you choose. If a guest has an allergy or sensitivity, check each pack individually and keep the label available for them. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products appears on the label.
First, decide how much you want to serve and what you’ll do with unopened packs or leftovers. Then consider whether you want one type of fruit, individual portions or a selection of different fruits.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much you’ll use | Compare the total weight with how much you expect to use on the buffet and afterwards. | If I want to buy enough without ending up with a lot of unused stock, I look at the quantity in each pack; an estimated 36% of consumers mainly want to match the usable amount to their plans. |
| Packaging and leftovers | Check how many individual items there are and whether you can open them separately. | I want to open only what I need and store the rest according to the packaging; an estimated 29% of consumers prioritise quantity and leftovers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on each pack. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to check the exact ingredients; an estimated 21% of consumers see this as their main purchasing criterion. |
| Variety of fruit | See which types of fruit are in a mix and what proportion each type makes up. | I want to offer different types of fruit without buying them all separately; an estimated 14% of consumers prioritise variety. |
A multipack may contain several individual items, but the total quantity could be more than you’ll use for a one-off buffet.
Check the total weight, number of items and what you’ll do with unopened packs before choosing.
The AH Sun-Dried Raisins reviewed list 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. These are different nutritional values. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that dried fruit is high in sugar.
Read both the ingredients list and the nutrition table, then decide for yourself how much to serve.
The PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed consists of half dried plums and lists E220 (SULPHITES) and E200. The name of the mix doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it.
Check the proportions of fruit and allergens on the packaging, and keep the label available for guests.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice for dried tutti frutti doesn’t automatically apply to soaked fruit or fruit that has already been used in a prepared dish.
Follow the product label for your dried fruit and use the appropriate storage instructions for prepared dishes.
The Albert Heijn product information reviewed includes raisins in 500 g and 750 g packs, as well as multipacks containing individual items.
The Jumbo products reviewed include sultana raisins and dried, pitted apricots.
Lidl presents Alesto as its own brand for products including nuts and dried fruit.
The ALDI product pages reviewed list 500 g packs of raisins and 250 g packs of sun-dried apricots.
The PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed is a 500 g mixed pack containing five types of fruit.
The Dirk product page reviewed lists raisins in a 750 g pack.
This selection includes smaller packs of dried apricots and a mixed snack pack that includes dried fruit. The mixed pack also contains other snacks, so it isn’t a pack of dried fruit alone.
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A 250 g pack of dried apricots for anyone looking to add a smaller quantity to the buffet.
The product description lists 72,45% apricot, sugar, maltose syrup and sulphites, including sodium metabisulphite. The stated sugar content is 21,90%.
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A 300 g pack of dried apricots for anyone looking for a smaller quantity.
The product description lists at least 60% apricot, sugar, maltose syrup and sulphites.
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A sharing pack with five different snacks for anyone who wants to put a selection on the table. Not everything in the pack is dried fruit.
The description lists plums, red dates, raisins, nuts and banana chips, among other items, and gives a net weight of 1,073 kg. The plums contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine; the pack also contains tree nuts.
Multiply the number of guests by the amount you want to offer per person, then subtract any stock you already have. For one raisin pack reviewed, Albert Heijn gives a serving size of 25 g; this isn’t a recommendation for how much each buffet guest needs.
No. The AH Sun-Dried Raisins reviewed list 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that dried fruit is high in sugar, so check both the ingredients and the nutrition table.
Check the current label on every pack. The Jumbo apricots and PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed list E220 (SULPHITES). Keep the packaging so the guest can check the ingredients; don’t assume a product is suitable based only on the type of fruit or product name.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing dried tutti frutti in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. For opened dried tutti frutti, it recommends 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard. This advice doesn’t automatically apply to soaked fruit or fruit in a prepared dish; follow the instructions for the product or dish in question.
Check which types of fruit it contains, the proportion of each type and any allergens listed on the label. The PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed consists of 50% dried plums and also lists apricots, peaches, pears and apple. These proportions show you what the mix mainly contains.
