First identify which substance you need to avoid, then check the ingredients, dietary information and any warning on the exact pack. Albert Heijn lists AH Biologisch Rozijnen as gluten-free; Jumbo Gedroogde Mango states that the product may contain nuts and peanuts. These details apply to specific products and are not a general guarantee that they are free from allergens. For a desk lunch, also check whether the storage instructions after opening suit your workplace.
If you need to avoid a particular allergen, the ingredients list and warnings on the exact pack are more useful than a general impression of the product. For example, Jumbo says its dried mango may contain nuts and peanuts.
A gluten-free statement and avoiding sulphites are two separate checks. Albert Heijn lists its rehydrated apricots as gluten-free, while the product also contains sulphites.
If you want to keep preparation to a minimum, check the portion size and storage instructions after opening. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; this is different from the portion size a manufacturer lists for a product.
Start with any essential dietary requirements, then check the ingredients and warnings. Finally, make sure the portion size and storage requirements are practical for your lunch spot.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Read the ingredients list and any warning on the exact pack. | If I avoid a specific allergen, I also want to be able to assess the possible presence of other substances. Around 28% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen. |
| Sulphites | Check the ingredients and allergen information for sulphites, sulphur dioxide or a relevant preservative. | If you need to avoid sulphites, you’ll need to check this separately from, for example, a gluten-free statement. Around 22% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Gluten-free statement | Check whether the exact variety is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and assess any other dietary requirements separately. | If I need to avoid gluten, I look for a clear statement on the variety I want to take with me. Around 22% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten. |
| Sugars and portion size | Check both the ingredients and the nutritional information. “No added sugar” does not mean that the product contains no sugars at all. | If you want a measured amount for lunch, you can weigh the portion yourself and refer to the nutritional information. Around 17% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portion size. |
| Storage after opening | Follow the storage instructions for the exact variety, especially if it needs to be kept chilled. | If I want to keep an opened pack at work, the specified storage conditions need to be available there. Around 11% of consumers prioritise convenience and storage. |
Gluten-free, vegan or a short ingredients list doesn’t automatically tell you anything about all other substances. For example, Albert Heijn lists sulphites in its gluten-free-labelled rehydrated apricots; Jumbo says its dried mango may contain nuts and peanuts.
Check each substance you need to avoid separately in the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack.
Albert Heijn lists AH Biologisch Rozijnen as containing 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. These statements don’t mean the same thing.
Check the total sugars in the nutritional information and weigh a portion if you want to take a set amount with you. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; a manufacturer’s portion may differ.
Storage instructions vary by product. Albert Heijn says its rehydrated apricots must be kept chilled at a maximum of 7°C after opening.
Read the instructions for the exact variety and bear them in mind if you plan to open the pack at work.
The ALDI cranberry mix reviewed and fruit and nut products at Albert Heijn contain nuts. They are therefore a different type of product from plain dried fruit.
Compare mixes and individual fruits separately, and check the full ingredients list on the pack.
The product ranges reviewed include raisins, rehydrated apricots and fruit and nut mixes.
Jumbo Gedroogde Mango 125 g is one of the products reviewed that contains mango as an ingredient.
Alesto Gedroogde mango is a relevant product range among the retailers reviewed.
The products reviewed include Trader Joe’s raisins and a separate cranberry mix with nuts and dried fruit.
PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen is one of the varieties reviewed, sold in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
1 de Beste Abrikozen is a relevant dried fruit option among the retailers reviewed.
These product picks are dried fruit snacks for a quick lunch or to take with you. The listed ingredients and product names are not a general guarantee that the products are allergen-free or gluten-free. Check the pack for any substances you need to avoid.
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A good fit if you want to take individual pouches of dried fruit with you for the journey or to enjoy with lunch.
Freeze-dried jackfruit; six 25 g pouches; ingredients: jackfruit (100%).
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A good fit if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat pouch of dried fruit for your lunch break.
25 g pouch; ingredients: jackfruit (100%).
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A good fit if you’re looking for dried guava to snack on during your journey or with lunch.
180 g pack; the ingredients list 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
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A good fit if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat fruit snack that can also be used as a topping.
Resealable 50 g pack; the ingredients list dried strawberries and sugar.
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A good fit if you’re looking for ready-to-eat dried mango slices; not suitable if you need to avoid sulphites.
The ingredients list 83% mango, sugar, glucose, maltose and sulphite.
No. A gluten-free statement is not a general guarantee that a product is free from allergens. Albert Heijn lists AH Biologisch Rozijnen as gluten-free and lactose-free; its gluten-free-labelled AH Gewelde gedroogde abrikozen contains sulphites. Assess each dietary requirement separately.
Read the warning on the exact pack alongside the ingredients list, and take into account the substance you need to avoid. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) says that the new approach to precautionary warnings has been under its supervision since 1 January 2026. According to the NVWA, a warning must not be used if the relevant reference values are not exceeded; under the transitional arrangements, safe older stock may still be sold.
Follow the instructions for the exact variety. Albert Heijn says that AH Gewelde gedroogde abrikozen must be kept chilled at a maximum of 7°C after opening. Storage advice for another type of dried fruit does not replace these instructions.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. Weigh this amount if you want to portion it accurately, and treat this general recommendation separately from the portion size shown on a product.
No. A fruit and nut mix also contains nuts, so it’s a different type of product. If you need to avoid nuts, check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack; don’t rely on the product name simply because it includes dried fruit.
