Parents who want to pack something quickly
An individual snack box may suit a planned snack time at the childcare setting. Check that the portion and the food you bring comply with the provider’s policies.
Who is dried fruit for childcare useful for?
Parents who consider portion size and ingredients
If you’re mindful of quantity, chewing ability or a known sensitivity, check the portion size and label for each variety. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit.
Childcare teams who portion food themselves
A bulk bag may suit teams who want to serve their own chosen portion sizes. Organise portioning and storage in line with the childcare provider’s food safety policy.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want to pack ready-portioned snacks or portion the fruit yourself. Then check the label and the childcare provider’s policies.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-to-pack portions | Number of individual packs and weight per box; childcare provider’s policies. | If I want to pack a little something on a busy morning, individual portions are practical. Around 31% of consumers prioritise the convenience of ready-to-pack snacks. |
| Choosing the quantity | Portion information and nutritional information per 100 g. | I want to tailor the quantity to the snack time, so I check the portion size. Around 25% of consumers give portion control top priority. |
| Suitability for the child and childcare setting | Ingredients and allergens; texture and product warnings. | If chewing ability, a known sensitivity or the childcare provider’s policies are a consideration, I check the specific variety. Around 25% of consumers place the greatest importance on individual suitability. |
| Portioning and storing it yourself | Net weight and storage instructions. | I want to make small portions myself and store the rest conveniently. Around 19% of consumers give portioning their own snacks top priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing dried fruit
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Confusing convenience on the go with safe eating on the move
Convenient packaging doesn’t change when or how a child should eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends that young children sit calmly and that you stay nearby while they eat.
Offer the portion at a calm snack time, not while your child is walking or playing.
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Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means sugar-free
PLUS lists Sultana raisins as containing 0 g of added sugars and 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. So ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars.
Read the nutritional information and consider how much will actually be eaten.
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Assuming all snack boxes contain the same ingredients
The AH apple and apricot varieties checked list sulphites; the apricot variety also carries a warning that stones may remain.
Check the label for the specific variety and take any known sensitivities and the childcare provider’s policies into account.
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Automatically choosing the biggest bag
Net weight doesn’t tell you how many portions you can conveniently make. Portioning the fruit yourself takes time, as does storing it appropriately.
Choose a size you can portion and store according to the instructions on the packaging.
Brands and product ranges to explore
Albert Heijn
The Hamsterchef range includes individual raisin boxes and varieties containing other dried fruit.
- The AH Hamsterchef Raisins pack contains 10 boxes of 14 g.
- The apple and apricot varieties checked list sulphites; the apricot variety also warns that stones may be present.
Jumbo
The product listing is for a 250 g bag of Sun-Dried Sultana Raisins.
- The ingredients are listed as raisins and cottonseed oil.
- The packaging says to store in a cool, dry, dark place; portioning it yourself takes an extra step.
Lidl
Lidl lists Belbake Raisins and Snoeprozijntjes.
- These product listings make the ranges worth considering when exploring raisin options.
- Check the packaging and label for the specific variety before choosing it for a child or snack time at a childcare setting.
ALDI
The product listing is for TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack.
- The net weight is useful if you’re looking for a bulk pack.
- The listing doesn’t specify pre-portioned servings for children; consider how you’d like to portion the quantity yourself.
PLUS
PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- The product information lists the ingredients and says to store in a cool, dry, dark place.
- The packaging warns that small stalks and stones may be present.
Dirk
The product listings include 1 de Beste Sultana raisins and golden raisins.
- The golden raisins listed come in a 375 g pack.
- Check the current product packaging for the ingredients and portion sizes you need.
Joybuy products for a snack on the go
These products may suit anyone looking for dried fruit to take along as a snack with a childcare lunch or for a snack break.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts – 252 g
Suitable if you’re looking for a raisin snack in a pack to take with you.
The product title describes mini raisin handouts; check the packaging for portion information.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140g
Suitable if you want to pack individual snack boxes; the product information describes them as snack boxes.
The product name states 12M+ and 140 g. According to the product information, this product is not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties; supervise them while they eat.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90g
Suitable if you want to take dried plums along in a pack that can be shared.
The product title states 90 g. The product information lists sugar, salt and sweeteners; check the ingredients list on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can a box of raisins replace lunch?
No. Offer dried fruit as a small addition or snack, not as a full lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions; fit snack time around the childcare provider’s food policy.
Can my child eat dried fruit on the go?
You can take it along, but don’t let young children eat while walking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends that they sit calmly and are supervised while eating.
How should I store a bulk bag of raisins?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. PLUS and Jumbo say to store their products in a cool, dry, dark place; check the label for the best-before date.
Does an allergen have to be listed on the packaging?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the 14 allergens specified by law must be listed in the ingredients. If you know of a sensitivity, always check the label for the specific variety; the AH fruit mixes checked list sulphites.
What food safety rules apply if the childcare provider portions the food itself?
An organisation that handles food must use a food safety plan based on HACCP or an appropriate approved hygiene code. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) refers childcare providers to a hygiene code that describes the relevant procedures. This is an obligation for the organisation, not a certification that every individual box of raisins must carry.