Choose dried fruit based on the specific substance you want to avoid, and check the ingredients and allergen information for that exact product. A gluten-free or lactose-free claim doesn’t mean a product is free from all allergens. Albert Heijn makes these claims for two products reviewed, while the Hamsterchef mix also contains sulphites. Check the sandwich and its filling separately, too: claims about your fruit snack tell you nothing about the rest of your lunch.
You’re looking for a fruit snack with a specific gluten-free or lactose-free claim, and checking the sandwich and filling separately. These claims don’t automatically answer questions about other allergens. Albert Heijn makes both claims for the raisins and Hamsterchef mix reviewed.
If you need to avoid sulphites, peanuts, nuts or sesame, the ingredients and warnings on the exact product matter more than general snack or free-from claims. Jumbo lists sulphites in the apricots reviewed and warns that they may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.
You want to take dried fruit with no added sugar and are choosing between portioning it yourself and individually wrapped packs. Check the total sugar content, too: Albert Heijn lists 59 grams per 100 grams for the raisins reviewed, while the PLUS apricots reviewed contain 53.4 grams per 100 grams.
Start with the substance you want to avoid, then check the product packaging and assess the bread, filling and fruit snack as separate parts of your lunch.
When to choose it: if you’re looking for an explicit gluten-free or lactose-free claim; these appear on AH Biologisch Raisins and AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apricot Pieces.
Bear in mind: the Hamsterchef mix contains sulphites. You’ll need to portion the 250-gram bag of raisins yourself; the mix comes in ten 14-gram boxes.
When to choose it: if apricots suit your diet and you want to check the information on this specific product.
Bear in mind: Jumbo Dried Pitted Apricots 250 g contains sulphites and, according to the product information, may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.
When to choose it: if you want to look for a suitable dried fruit option in Lidl’s Alesto range.
Bear in mind: the range includes dried fruit and nuts, so check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
When to choose it: if you want to consider Trader Joe’s Raisins 500 g or Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g as a lunchtime snack.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to portion these packs yourself if you want to take a smaller amount with you. Check any free-from claims on the exact packaging.
When to choose it: if you’re looking for apricots with no added sugar and sulphites suit your diet.
Bear in mind: the product reviewed contains sulphites. The product information lists 0 grams of added sugars and 53.4 grams of total sugars per 100 grams.
When to choose it: if you want to check the Pitted Apricots 200 g against the substance you want to avoid.
Bear in mind: ‘pitted’ describes the product itself and doesn’t, on its own, indicate that it’s gluten-free, sulphite-free or free from anything else.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding gluten or lactose | Check the claim on the exact product and ask separately about the bread and filling. | I want a specific gluten-free or lactose-free claim for my fruit snack, and I check the rest of my lunch separately. Around 31% of consumers say avoiding gluten or lactose is their main purchasing need. |
| Avoiding sulphites or other allergens | Read the ingredients, any listed allergens and any warnings on the same pack. | If I need to avoid sulphites, nuts, peanuts or sesame, I want to know what’s in this exact product. Around 31% of consumers say avoiding another specific allergen is their main purchasing need. |
| Added and total sugars | Check both the ingredients list and the total sugars per 100 grams, as well as how much you plan to take with you. | I’m looking for a product with no added sugar, but I also want to consider the total sugars in my portion. Around 19% of consumers give top priority to no added sugar. |
| A portion for when you’re out and about | Check the net weight, the number of individual portions and whether you’ll need to portion it yourself. | For lunch on the go, I want to take a portion with me without having to weigh it out in advance. Around 19% of consumers give portion convenience top priority. |
AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apricot Pieces is described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but it also contains sulphites. So a claim won’t automatically answer your other dietary questions.
Start with the substance you want to avoid, then check the ingredients and allergen information for the same product.
The PLUS apricots reviewed contain 0 grams of added sugars, but list 53.4 grams of total sugars per 100 grams.
Check both figures and consider how much you’ll eat alongside your lunch.
A suitable packaged snack doesn’t automatically make the bread or filling suitable. Allergen information must also be available for unpackaged sandwiches.
Ask separately about the ingredients in the bread and filling. If you have a relevant allergy, ask about preparation and possible cross-contamination, too.
A serving size listed on a larger bag doesn’t mean that the contents are already packed into individual portions. The AH Hamsterchef pack contains ten separate 14-gram boxes; you’ll need to portion the AH Biologisch Raisins bag yourself.
Check the packaging format and number of portions. Convenient portions don’t indicate anything about allergen status.
Portioning it yourself takes preparation; individual boxes mean extra packaging.
The AH products reviewed provide specific information for two different pack formats: raisins in a bag and a mix in individual snack boxes.
The own-brand option reviewed is a 250-gram bag of dried pitted apricots.
Alesto is a range of dried fruit and nuts.
The Dutch product pages reviewed are for Trader Joe’s Raisins 500 g and Sun-Dried Apricots 250 g.
The own-brand apricots reviewed are sold in a 375-gram stand-up pouch.
The product page reviewed is for Pitted Apricots 200 g.
These Joybuy products are freeze-dried jackfruit snacks to take with you. If you need to avoid specific substances, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the exact pack.
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The pack of six 25 g bags is a handy option if you want to take an individual portion of jackfruit with you.
The product information states that it contains no added sugar and 65 g of sugars per 100 g; bear the total amount in mind when choosing your portion.
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The 25 g bag is a handy option if you’re looking for a small fruit snack to take with you.
The product information lists jackfruit and no added sugar. Check the packaging yourself if allergen information is important to your choice.
No. Lactose is a sugar; a milk allergy involves proteins. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a lactose-free claim isn’t enough to tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy. Check the allergen information relevant to your needs.
Sulphites can be added to foods as a preservative. Stichting Voedselallergie lists E220–E228 and describes reactions to sulphites as intolerance reactions. If sulphites are relevant to you, check the ingredients of the exact product.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be available for unpackaged foods. Before choosing, ask separately about the sandwich and its filling; the ingredients in a packaged fruit snack tell you nothing about them.
Yes. The European Commission refers to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, which has applied since 20 July 2016 and also covers non-prepacked foods. A gluten-free claim doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are present.
No. These claims only answer the specific question they relate to. For example, the AH Hamsterchef mix is described as gluten-free and lactose-free, but contains sulphites. So check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, too.
No. The PLUS apricots reviewed list 0 grams of added sugars, but also 53.4 grams of total sugars per 100 grams. Compare both figures and bear in mind how much you eat.
