Start by choosing dried fruit based on the specific substance you need to avoid, then check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the current packaging. A general ‘free-from’ claim or the product name alone doesn’t confirm that a product is right for you. Consider sugar content and portion size as separate choices.
If you have a food allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre stress the importance of this label information.
If sulphites are a concern for you, look specifically for information about sulphites and unsulphured varieties. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation distinguishes sulphite sensitivity from an allergic reaction; the product name alone doesn’t confirm that a product is suitable for your needs.
If you’re mainly looking for a measured portion for a regular coffee break, check the packaging and whether the fruit is sweetened. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not an allergy-safety threshold.
When choosing dried fruit to enjoy with your coffee, the key considerations are what you need to avoid, the ingredients and how you plan to store your portions.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Check the ingredients, allergen information and any relevant warnings on the current packaging. | If I have a specific food allergy, I want to be able to check information about the exact allergen I avoid. Around 36% of consumers give this allergen information top priority. |
| Sulphites | Look for information about sulphites and consider a claim such as ‘unsulphured’ alongside the full product information. | If sulphites are why I’m comparing products, I want to be able to assess that information separately. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding sulphites top priority. |
| Sugars in the ingredients | Check the ingredients to identify sweetened varieties; ‘unsweetened’ doesn’t answer the question of allergens. | If you want to avoid sweetened varieties, check the ingredients and keep this separate from your allergen checks. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Portion size and storage | Compare the pack size with how much you use, and seal the pack properly after opening. | If I want a small portion with my coffee and to save the rest for later, I look for easy portioning and suitable packaging. Around 14% of consumers give convenient storage and portioning top priority. |
A claim doesn’t automatically tell you about other ingredients or warnings that may be relevant to what you need to avoid.
Check the specific substance you need to avoid, and review the current ingredients list and any relevant warnings on the packaging.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise checking the product information on the packaging.
Even if you’ve bought the product before, read the packaging of the one you actually receive.
Whether the fruit is sweetened and how large your portion is are separate considerations. Neither replaces checking for allergens.
Check the ingredients and measure your portion if you want to follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s dietary advice: no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day.
A larger pack needs portioning and careful storage. Dried apricots may lose quality if they aren’t stored according to the storage advice.
Choose a pack size that suits how much you use, and store dried apricots in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Worth exploring for AH Unsulphured Apricots; the product name is a useful starting point if you’re avoiding sulphites.
Worth exploring for sultanas and for choosing a pack size that suits your coffee-break routine.
Worth exploring through Alesto, Lidl’s range of dried fruit and nuts.
Worth exploring for Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
Worth exploring for PLUS Dried Apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Worth exploring for the different types of raisins and apricots listed in the product results.
These products are selected as dried fruit options for a coffee break, including individually portioned packs. They don’t confirm that a product is suitable for a specific allergy or intolerance. Check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
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The 25 g pack could suit you if you’re looking for a small, measured portion to enjoy with your coffee.
Product: freeze-dried jackfruit. Pack size: 25 g.
The product name doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable for your specific allergen requirements; check the current product information.
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The six individual portions could be handy if you want to measure out your coffee-time snack each time.
Product: freeze-dried jackfruit. Pack size: 150 g, divided into 6 bags of 25 g.
Check the current product information to make sure it meets your specific requirements; the portion packs don’t confirm allergen suitability.
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A pack of dried guava to consider if you’re looking for a different type of fruit to enjoy with your coffee.
Product: dried guava. Pack size: 180 g.
The product information lists sugar and a preservative. Check the packaging if you need to avoid these ingredients.
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This pack of dried apricots is an option if you’re looking for apricots to enjoy with your coffee, but take extra care if you’re avoiding sulphites or sugar.
Product: dried red apricots. Pack size: 250 g.
The product information lists sulphites, including sodium metabisulphite, and added sugar. Check the current packaging to make sure it meets your requirements.
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The 50 g pack could suit you if you’d like to try dried strawberries as a coffee-time snack.
Product: dried strawberry slices. Pack size: 50 g.
The product information lists sugar; check the current ingredients if you need to avoid sugar.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority confirms that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods. Check the information relevant to what you need to avoid.
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says the new Dutch rules on how and when businesses must warn about the accidental presence of allergens have applied since 1 January 2026. Check the warnings on the packaging of the product you plan to use.
No. The European Commission confirms that Implementing Regulation 828/2014 sets out separate requirements for ‘gluten-free’ and ‘very low gluten’. The rules have applied since 20 July 2016.
Store dried apricots in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container. For opened dried apricots, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a general storage time of 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard. Also follow the best-before information and instructions on your pack; this advice doesn’t automatically apply to all types of dried fruit.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. Weigh your portion if you want to follow this dietary advice. It isn’t a legal limit, nor does it guarantee that a small amount is safe if you have an allergy or intolerance.
