At 182 to 282 kcal per 100 grams, the three products checked are not low in calories under the European Commission’s definition for this nutrition claim, which sets a limit of 40 kcal per 100 grams. So, if you want to snack mindfully at a Christmas market, it’s best to weigh the portion you actually eat and check the ingredients and storage instructions too: 20 grams of these products provides a calculated 36.4 to 56.4 kcal.
You want something sweet at a Christmas market without accidentally eating a large amount of dried fruit. Weighing your portion and checking the energy per serving helps you tell the difference between a small snack and a product that is low in calories.
You’re buying something in advance to take with you. Check the storage instructions on the exact pack, especially after opening: AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be kept at no more than 7°C.
You want to know whether a product contains oil or preservatives as well as fruit. If you need to consider allergens, check the ingredients list and any warnings about sulphites or possible traces of other allergens.
First, think about how much you actually want to eat. Then check the ingredients and allergen information, and make sure your choice suits how you’ll store it while you’re out.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy in your portion | Check the kcal per 100 grams and weigh your portion. Calculate the energy using kcal per 100 grams × portion weight in grams ÷ 100. | If you’re keeping an eye on how much you eat at the Christmas market, you’ll want to know what you’re actually consuming. Around 42% of consumers prioritise keeping track of the energy in their portion. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, any sugars and the allergen information on the exact pack. | If you need to take additives or a personal allergen requirement into account, don’t rely on the fruit name alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking the ingredients. |
| Taking it with you and storing it | Pay particular attention to the instructions for after opening and check whether you can follow them while you’re out. | If you’re taking a snack with you and don’t have access to refrigeration, the storage instructions need to fit your plans. Around 17% of consumers base their choice mainly on how easy it is to take the product with them and store it. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how much you want to eat, and think about how you’ll store the rest. | If you’re looking for a small snack, a larger pack might not be practical. Around 16% of consumers focus mainly on choosing a suitable amount and making use of the rest. |
The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit for purchasing. The serving size given by the manufacturer may be different. For example, AH lists a 50-gram serving for the soaked apricots checked here: at 182 kcal per 100 grams, that works out to 91 kcal, compared with 36.4 kcal for 20 grams of the same product.
The AH product checked lists 0 grams of added sugars, but contains 182 kcal and 37 grams of sugars per 100 grams. These figures are not contradictory.
Check both the energy and sugars per 100 grams, then calculate the energy for the portion you actually eat.
The 50-gram serving listed on the pack of the AH apricots checked here provides a calculated 91 kcal. A smaller portion of the same product contains proportionally less.
Weigh your portion in advance and compare products at the same weight. A handful or a certain number of fruits doesn’t automatically amount to a set portion.
After opening, AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be kept refrigerated at no more than 7°C. The Jumbo apricots and PLUS prunes checked here should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
Follow the instructions on the exact pack and factor them into your choice if you want to store the snack while you’re out.
Jumbo states that occasional stone fragments may still be present in its pitted apricots.
Take care while eating, even with a product sold as pitted.
The AH Soaked Dried Apricots checked here are worth considering if you want to weigh up the energy per portion alongside storage after opening.
The Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g checked here are an option if you’re looking for apricots with storage instructions to keep them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Lidl offers Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit, including apricots.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Sun-Dried Prunes in a 250-gram pack.
PLUS Dried Prunes Per Bag 375 g are worth considering if you’re specifically looking for prunes and want to weigh the larger pack size against how much you’ll use.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Apricots in a 375-gram pack, with suggested uses including as a snack, for breakfast or in baking.
No. The size of a small portion doesn’t determine whether a product can make this claim. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 grams. A small portion doesn’t change the energy per 100 grams.
The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit. Remember to include any dried fruit you’ve already eaten that day.
No. Follow the instructions on the exact pack. AH Soaked Dried Apricots must be kept at no more than 7°C after opening. The Jumbo apricots and PLUS prunes checked here should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
Yes. The NVWA says information about any allergens present must be available before you buy unpackaged food. In some circumstances, this information can be given verbally: staff must be able to provide it straight away, and written or electronic information must be available to staff and inspectors, with a clearly visible notice at the point of sale.
