Compare the kilocalories per 100 g and per portion you actually serve: according to Albert Heijn, AH Soaked Dried Apricots provide 36.4 kcal per 20 g, while a 14 g box of AH Hamsterchef Raisins provides 45.6 kcal. None of the products checked meet the EU requirement for a ‘low calorie’ claim on solid foods. Remember to check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions too.
You want something sweet to enjoy with drinks, so you compare the energy content of the same amount as well as the portion you’ll actually eat. Compare soaked and unsoaked varieties separately: the labels from Albert Heijn and Jumbo show that values vary from product to product.
You’d rather know how much you’re having in advance than keep taking handfuls from a sharing bag. According to Albert Heijn, an AH Hamsterchef box contains 14 g; with a larger bag, you can weigh out your own portion.
You want to take allergens, storage and serving into account. Check the information on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying, and keep it available for your guests.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare the kcal per 100 g on the label, then calculate the value for the amount you’ve weighed out. | If I want to choose my portion carefully, I first compare the same amount of fruit. This matters to around 36% of consumers who prioritise energy values for equal quantities. |
| Portion control | Check the weight of each box or weigh out the amount you plan to serve. | If I don’t want to keep dipping into a large bag, having a set portion helps me decide. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a fixed amount. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the exact label. | If I’m buying for guests, I check the ingredients and warnings for the pack I’ve chosen. This matters to around 21% of consumers who base their choice on ingredients or allergens. |
| Storage and serving | Check the storage instructions after opening, the pack size and how many portions you need. | If I’m hosting, I want to know whether the pack needs to be kept chilled and how to serve the fruit easily. Around 14% of consumers prioritise storage and serving arrangements. |
The label values vary across the products checked: AH Soaked Dried Apricots list 182 kcal per 100 g, Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 237 kcal, and the PLUS and Jumbo prunes checked both list 282 kcal. These figures apply to these specific products, not to all apricots or prunes.
Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal product limit, so include any you’ve already eaten that day. A portion shown on the pack may be larger: according to Albert Heijn, the 50 g serving on the label of AH Soaked Dried Apricots provides 91 kcal.
For a nutrition claim on solid food, the limit applies per 100 g, not per bowl. The European Commission sets the threshold at no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. None of the products checked with numerical values meet this requirement.
Give the kilocalories for the specific portion and state how many grams it contains. Don’t call a product ‘low calorie’ just because a small portion contains few kilocalories.
AH Hamsterchef Raisins state that no sugars have been added, but according to the nutrition information they contain 65 g of sugars and 326 kcal per 100 g.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and calculate the nutritional value for the portion you eat.
An average nutritional value from Voedingscentrum is not the same as the value on a specific brand’s label. The PLUS and Jumbo prunes checked both list 282 kcal per 100 g.
Use the label on the exact pack you buy to calculate your portion.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Banana Chips contain coconut oil and sugar and list 519 kcal per 100 g. Their ingredients differ from those of the apricots and prunes checked.
If you’re looking for an option with fewer kilocalories, compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the exact variety.
The own-label products checked include soaked apricots, raisins in individual boxes and sweetened banana chips.
The dried apricots and prunes checked are options if you’d like to weigh out your own portions for a get-together.
According to Lidl, the Alesto range includes nuts and dried fruit. A Dutch product listing describes dried southern fruits in several 200 g varieties, available in store only.
The Dutch ALDI product description lists TRADER JOE’S Pitted Sun-Dried Prunes in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Dried Prunes in a 375 g bag are a good option if you’re weighing out portions for a sharing table.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Pitted Prunes in a 375 g pack; 1 de Beste is the chain’s own brand.
This selection includes dried prunes, red jujubes and apricots. Compare the listed kilocalories per 100 g and check the packaging and ingredients for each variety.
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The individual 65 g pack is a handy option if you want to set aside a portion in advance.
Lists 214 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients include fructose syrup and oligofructose.
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The 500 g pack is designed for weighing out your own portions of red jujubes.
The ingredients list 100% red dates; the nutritional information lists 300 kcal per 100 g.
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The 450 g pack is an option if you’d like to put red jujubes on the table for everyone to help themselves.
The product title states that the jujubes contain stones; the nutritional information lists 331 kcal per 100 g.
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The 500 g pack is an option if you’re preparing jujubes for a group.
The product description lists 100% jujube and says they don’t need washing. The nutritional information lists 304 kcal per 100 g.
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The product description says the apricots are suitable for sharing and come in a resealable pack.
The nutritional information lists 311 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients include sugar and maltose syrup; the product contains sulphites.
No. According to the European Commission, a claim for solid foods requires no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g. So a small portion containing few kilocalories does not automatically mean the product meets this requirement.
Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit. Remember to include any other dried fruit you’ve already eaten that day.
Voedingscentrum’s calorie checker gives an average and notes that values can vary between brands. The PLUS and Jumbo prunes checked list 282 kcal per 100 g; use the label on your specific bag for your calculation.
It depends on the product. Albert Heijn says its soaked apricots should be kept chilled at a maximum of 7°C after opening. The PLUS and Jumbo prunes checked should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Follow the instructions on the pack you have.
Check the allergen information on the label of the exact pack and keep it available for your guests. The apricots checked contain sulphites; other packs warn that they may contain allergens including nuts, peanuts or sesame. Businesses that sell food to consumers have information obligations set by the NVWA; these obligations do not automatically apply to a private get-together.
