When choosing dried fruit for coeliac disease, first check whether the exact variant is suitable for a gluten-free diet; a supermarket name or a general ‘free from’ description isn’t enough to confirm this. Then check for any cross-contamination warnings and other allergens that are relevant to you. Once you’ve done that, compare the type of fruit, portion size, packaging and convenience of buying it.
You’re looking for dried fruit for a gluten-free diet and want to check the ingredients and cross-contamination warnings before choosing based on flavour or packaging. The Dutch Coeliac Society and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provide general guidance on these considerations; this doesn’t replace checking the exact packaging.
As well as gluten, you may need to avoid another allergen, such as nuts or sulphites. Check this dietary requirement separately: gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from other allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the NVWA treat allergens as separate categories.
Once you’ve checked the dietary requirements, you’ll want to choose a suitable type of fruit and pack size for a snack, breakfast or recipe. Ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions can help, but they don’t by themselves tell you whether a product is suitable for coeliac disease.
First, check the dietary requirements for the exact variant. Only then compare nutritional choices and practical features, so the packaging or a claim on the front doesn’t take the place of checking that it’s gluten-free.
| Consideration | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for a gluten-free diet | Check the ingredients, the type of grain named and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. | When choosing dried fruit for coeliac disease, I want to know whether this particular variant is suitable for my gluten-free diet. Around 50% of consumers are most concerned about gluten-free suitability and cross-contamination. |
| Other allergens | Read the full ingredients list and any relevant allergen warnings for foods you need to avoid. | If I have another food allergy as well as coeliac disease, I check that restriction separately. An additional allergen is the main buying concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Sugar and portion size | Compare the ingredients and nutritional information; distinguish between ‘no added sugars’ and ‘sugar-free’. | If I want to consider my snack portion or sugar intake, I look at the product information once I’ve checked the dietary requirements. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a pack size that suits how much you use and follow the storage advice for the specific variant. | If practical considerations are my main priority, I look at pack size, storage and the available ways to buy it. This is the deciding factor for around 10% of consumers. |
The NVWA advises consumers to read allergen information carefully; the Dutch Coeliac Society explains why a warning about possible cross-contamination may be relevant. Nutritional choices involve a different consideration: Lidl says its mango strips contain no added sugars, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is nutritional advice, not a legal limit on purchases.
A broad description like this doesn’t automatically tell you whether the exact variant is suitable for coeliac disease or another allergy.
Check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging, using your own dietary requirements as a guide.
The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that this type of warning provides information about a possible risk. You shouldn’t dismiss it without considering it when buying a product for someone with coeliac disease.
Take the warning into account when choosing, and don’t rely on general statements about other products or previous packaging.
Lidl says that its mango strips contain no added sugars, but also that they contain naturally occurring sugars.
Read the ingredients and nutritional information, and assess the portion separately from the claim on the front of the pack.
Aldi’s page brings together several variants, including a mix with cashew nuts. The ingredients may therefore vary from one product to another.
Check that the name and variant on the packaging match the information you’re using to make your dietary choice.
The range includes different types of dried fruit, including raisins, apricots, dates, figs and mango.
Jumbo offers sultanas in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs.
Alesto offers dried fruit and other snacks; Lidl’s range includes mango strips.
Aldi offers products including 500 g packs of Trader Joe’s raisins, as well as a page featuring several fruit and nut variants.
PLUS lists 375 g packs of sultanas and 250 g packs of BIO+ sultanas. The BIO+ product information includes ingredients and storage instructions.
Dirk offers products including 375 g packs of sultanas and 250 g packs of BIO+ sultanas.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit options, including freeze-dried jackfruit, dates, guava and loquat. Their suitability for coeliac disease hasn’t been confirmed: check the current product information and packaging before choosing them for a gluten-free diet.
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A good option if you’re looking for freeze-dried jackfruit as a snack or topping.
The description lists 100% jackfruit, no added sugars and six 25 g portions.
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A good option if you’re looking for a portion of freeze-dried jackfruit as a snack or topping.
The description lists 100% jackfruit, no added sugars or preservatives, and a 25 g portion.
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A good option if you’re looking for dried fruit with nuts as a snack.
The ingredients description lists grey dates and walnut kernels. Contains walnuts and isn’t suitable for anyone with a walnut allergy. Storage advice: keep in a cool, dry place.
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A good option if you’re looking for dried guava as a snack or an ingredient for recipes.
The ingredients description lists 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
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A good option if you’re looking for a soft, chewy dried fruit snack.
The description lists at least 70% loquat and bamboo salt. Contains sulphites; not suitable if you avoid sulphites.
No. The NVWA explains that the type of gluten-containing grain, such as wheat or barley, must be named in the ingredients list. So read the full ingredients list and check for cross-contamination warnings too.
No. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, this type of warning indicates a possible cross-contamination risk; it doesn’t mean that gluten is necessarily present. Don’t ignore the warning when choosing a product for coeliac disease.
No. The NVWA and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre treat gluten-containing cereals and allergens such as nuts, peanuts, milk and sulphites separately. Check for other allergens if they’re relevant to your diet.
Store it separately from products containing gluten and keep it away from bread crumbs. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
No. Lidl says its mango strips contain no added sugars, but also that they contain sugars that occur naturally. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific variant.
