Start with the ingredient your child needs to avoid: Albert Heijn and PLUS list the specific raisin varieties covered here as gluten-free and lactose-free. This does not guarantee they are free from other allergens, so also check the ingredients and warnings on the exact packaging. AH’s boxes are handy for ready-portioned snacks, while the larger PLUS bag lets you portion them yourself.
You’re not just looking for something labelled ‘free from’; you need a snack whose ingredients and allergen information are suitable for what your child must avoid. Check separately for sulphites and warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains what allergen information must appear on pre-packed products.
You want a clear statement that matches your specific needs. Albert Heijn and PLUS list the raisin varieties discussed here as gluten-free and lactose-free; you’ll need to check separately for other allergens.
You can choose between ready-portioned boxes and portioning out snacks yourself from a larger bag. Albert Heijn lists ten boxes of 14 grams each; the PLUS bag contains 375 grams.
First, work out which ingredients or allergens your child needs to avoid. Then compare individually portioned packs with a larger bag, and check the nutritional information for the exact variety.
| What to look for | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Check the ingredients, any ‘contains’ statement and warnings about possible cross-contamination for the allergens you want to avoid. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to be able to check the ingredients and warnings for that exact variety. Around 36% of consumers give avoiding specific allergens their highest priority. |
| Gluten-free or lactose-free statement | Check the exact variety and packaging; a statement about gluten or lactose does not automatically tell you anything about other allergens. | For consumers specifically avoiding gluten or lactose, a suitable statement on the product is important. Around 29% prioritise avoiding these ingredients when choosing. |
| Portion and nutritional information | Compare the sugars per 100 grams with the portion you’ll actually pack. | If I want to tailor the amount of the snack, I look at both the portion size and the nutrition table. Around 21% of consumers prioritise portion size and nutritional value. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the number of portions, pack weight and storage instructions for the exact variety. | For consumers who want to prepare snacks in advance and take them with them, individually portioned packs can save time; a larger bag means portioning them yourself. Around 14% give packaging convenience their highest priority. |
A gluten-free or lactose-free statement does not automatically answer questions about other allergens. For its specific White Raisins, Jumbo lists sulphites and warns that the product may contain nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds and soya.
First, note which ingredients need to be avoided, then check all the information for the exact variety.
AH Hamsterchef Raisins product information states that there are no added sugars and that the product contains 65 grams of sugars per 100 grams. PLUS likewise states that its Sultana Raisins contain no added sugars and 68.2 grams of sugars per 100 grams. These statements answer different questions.
Check both the information about added sugars and the nutrition table, and consider the portion you’ll pack.
Albert Heijn’s range also includes fruit products with cashew nuts or almonds. A mix may therefore contain different ingredients from a product made with raisins alone.
Check the full product name and ingredients list, especially if your child needs to avoid nuts.
For the Sultana Raisins covered here, PLUS warns that small stalks and stones may be present, despite careful checks. Preparing your own portions also takes time.
Read the product warnings before dividing the raisins between snacks.
When portioning snacks yourself, allow for the time it takes to prepare them individually.
AH Hamsterchef Raisins are an example of dried fruit already packed in individual portions.
Jumbo White Raisins 250 g are a specific example to check for ingredients and warnings about sulphites and cross-contamination.
The Alesto range includes dried fruit, including dried mango strips, which Lidl suggests for home, school and on the go.
ALDI lists 500-gram bags of Trader Joe’s raisins and 250-gram bags of sun-dried apricots.
PLUS Sultana Raisins 375 g come in a larger bag that you can portion out yourself.
Dirk’s range includes various types of dried fruit, including sultanas, golden raisins, stoned prunes and apricots.
These product cards feature dried mango snacks. Check each exact variety to see whether its ingredients and allergen information are suitable for what your child needs to avoid; dried mango is not automatically suitable for every dietary need.
No image available
The product title identifies this as a spicy dried mango snack; check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific ingredient your child needs to avoid.
The title lists a 227 g pack.
No image available
The product description presents dried mango as a snack; check the exact allergen information before choosing it for a dietary exclusion.
The product description lists E223 (sulphites); this is not a suitable choice if sulphites need to be avoided.
The title lists a 100 g pack.
No image available
The product description says this dried mango can be eaten straight away; check the ingredients and warnings for the dietary exclusion that applies to your child.
The product description lists E223 (sulphites); this is not a suitable choice if sulphites need to be avoided.
The product description states that it is individually wrapped. The title lists 50 g.
No image available
The product description says these mango slices can be eaten straight away; check the exact allergen information before deciding.
The product description lists E223 (sulphites); this is not a suitable choice if sulphites need to be avoided.
The title lists a 160 g pack.
The NVWA requires allergen information to appear on the labels of pre-packed foods. This information applies to the product in question, so check the packaging of the variety you plan to pack.
This warning relates to possible cross-contamination and should be read alongside the ingredients list. According to the NVWA, rules for these warnings have applied in the Netherlands since 1 January 2026; examples of the wording include ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’.
No. Stichting Voedselallergie describes reactions to sulphite as intolerance reactions, not allergic reactions. Sulphite can be added as a preservative as E220–E228 and is found in dried fruit, among other foods.
No. A portion size shown on the packaging is not personalised dietary advice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that how much a child can eat between meals depends on their age and sex, so don’t treat a 14-gram box as a universal portion size.
When checking ingredients and allergens, follow the information on the current packaging. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise checking the packaging because product information can change; if you have any questions, contact the retailer’s customer service team.
