Start by identifying the specific substance you need to avoid: gluten-free, lactose-free and unsulphured address different concerns. As well as checking the ingredients, look for cross-contamination warnings. Then choose a quantity that suits how much you use and the storage advice for that type of fruit; a larger bag isn’t automatically the better choice for stocking up.
You want to buy several packs, but only if the ingredients, relevant free-from claim and cross-contamination warning are suitable for your diet. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules for allergen warnings on Dutch labels.
You want to assess sulphites separately; a gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan claim doesn’t answer that question. The Food Allergy Foundation explains that sulphite can be added to foods as a preservative.
Perhaps you use raisins as a snack or ingredient and want to choose an amount you can finish in time and store according to the recommended guidance. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives specific storage advice for opened raisins.
First decide which substance you want to avoid. Then check the product information and choose a quantity that suits how much you use and the storage space you have.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific dietary exclusion | Check the exact product variant, ingredients, relevant free-from claim and cross-contamination warnings. | If I need to avoid a specific substance because of my diet, I want both the ingredients and warnings to address my concern. Around 36% of consumers put dietary suitability first. |
| Sulphites | Look separately for sulphite, sulphur dioxide and E220–E228, and check the other ingredients and warnings too. | If sulphites are what I need to avoid, I want to check for them separately rather than relying on a different free-from claim. Around 21% of consumers put avoiding sulphites first. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the net weight with how much you use and follow the storage advice for the exact type of fruit and pack. | If I use raisins regularly but have limited storage space, I want a pack I can finish and store properly. Around 29% of consumers put managing their supplies first. |
| Sugar information | Check added sugars separately from total sugars per 100 g. | If I want to limit added sugar, I don’t want to confuse that information with the total amount of sugar. Around 14% of consumers put this need first. |
Lactose and milk protein are different exclusions. You also need to check any warning about possible cross-contamination separately.
Work out exactly which substance you need to avoid, then read the ingredients and relevant warnings.
The product information for the AH Unsulphured Apricots reviewed lists potassium sorbate (E202) as a preservative.
Check the full ingredients list if you want to avoid preservatives other than sulphites too.
The quantity should suit how you use the product and the storage advice for that particular type of fruit. A pack you can’t finish in time may not be practical.
Choose a pack size to suit how much you use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 68,2 g of total sugars per 100 g for Sultana raisins. These are different nutritional values.
Check both figures separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day as general dietary advice; this is not a portion-size recommendation for a particular pack.
The product information for AH Unsulphured Apricots shows why you should read a free-from claim alongside the ingredients list.
Jumbo’s product information covers several varieties of raisins; a feature of one variety doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Lidl Netherlands lists dried fruit in selected stores.
ALDI Netherlands lists TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack.
PLUS Sultana Raisins, 375 g per stand-up pouch, are a specific example of product information that includes gluten-free and lactose-free claims.
Dirk’s search results show raisins in a range of pack sizes.
This Joybuy selection includes raisins and freeze-dried jackfruit, from larger packs for stocking up to individual portions. Check the product information and packaging for each item’s ingredients, dietary claims and storage conditions.
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A 500 g pack of raisins for stocking up; the product information lists 100% dried grapes.
Store in a cool, dry place. Check the packaging for any dietary claims relevant to you.
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Freeze-dried jackfruit in six 25 g portions; the product information lists jackfruit as the sole ingredient.
Consume immediately after opening. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
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Raisins with sunflower oil; the product information states that the product contains none of the 14 main EU allergens. Check the warnings on the current packaging too.
According to the product information, a stalk or pip may remain despite cleaning.
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The product information lists ten 14 g boxes of organic raisins with no added sugar or sulphites.
According to the product information, suitable for children over 12 months. Supervise children while they eat; not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
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A small 25 g portion of freeze-dried jackfruit; the product information lists 100% jackfruit.
Store in a cool, dry place. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, lactose intolerance concerns milk sugar, while cow’s milk allergy involves milk proteins. So don’t treat a lactose-free claim as proof that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy.
It’s a warning that a product may have been unintentionally contaminated; it doesn’t mean that every pack contains the allergen. Since 1 January 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has overseen the Dutch rules: the warning must be based on a risk assessment and may say ‘May contain X’ or ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’.
If you follow a gluten-free diet, keep your supplies separate from gluten-containing products and avoid sharing them. The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that gluten can also be transferred around the kitchen through crumbs.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened raisins can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Also follow the instructions on your pack; for the Sultana raisins reviewed, Jumbo and PLUS advise storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Don’t automatically apply this advice to other dried fruit.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority publishes food safety warnings. Keep the packaging so you can compare the product name and batch details with a warning. Checking the list doesn’t certify that every batch is safe.
