Host with guests who have allergies
You want to choose snacks based on the specific ingredients and allergens your guests need to avoid. A general allergy-free promise isn’t enough.
Who is this guide for?
Shopping to avoid gluten or lactose
You’re looking for dried fruit with a suitable, product-specific dietary claim. Keep lactose intolerance separate from cow’s milk allergy: they require different checks.
Shopping to avoid added sulphites
You check preservatives in products such as apricots and raisins, and look for an option without added sulphites. This doesn’t mean it’s free from all allergens.
What should you check when buying?
Start with the specific substance a guest wants or needs to avoid, then check the ingredients, warnings and dietary claims on the exact product packaging. Also consider whether the storage and serving instructions work for your garden party.
| What to check | Check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and cross-contamination | Read the full ingredients list and any warnings, such as ‘may contain’, on every pack. | As a host, I want to know which allergens my guests avoid and take possible cross-contamination into account too. Around 31% of consumers put allergen checks first. |
| Gluten and lactose claims | Check that the claim appears on the exact product; if someone has a cow’s milk allergy, also check for milk ingredients and warnings. | People avoiding gluten or lactose can benefit from a suitable product-specific claim; lactose-free does not prove a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy. Around 25% of consumers put these dietary claims first. |
| Added sulphites | Look for sulphites, sulphur dioxide or E220–E228 in the ingredients; check for other preservatives too. | For consumers who want to avoid added sulphites, the ingredients list is key: ‘unsulphured’ doesn’t automatically mean free from other preservatives. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Sugar information | Check both the ingredients and the nutritional information, including ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. | If I want to avoid added sugar, I also check the total sugars on the label. Around 13% of consumers make this their top priority when choosing. |
| Storage and serving | Follow the storage instructions for the exact product and keep the original packaging with the snacks. | For consumers who want to keep serving simple, storage instructions and easy-to-manage portions matter. Around 12% of consumers prioritise practical storage and serving. |
Stichting Voedselallergie advises reading the full ingredients list for every product, every time. The NVWA describes ‘may contain’ as a warning about possible accidental presence; it is not an individual guarantee of tolerance. Examples of sugar information on product pages also show why ‘unsweetened’ doesn’t mean sugar-free: AH unsweetened mango lists 61 g of sugars per 100 g and PLUS Sultana raisins 68,2 g per 100 g, according to the relevant product information.
Common pitfalls
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Calling a gluten-free or lactose-free product allergy-free
A suitable dietary claim doesn’t rule out other allergens. AH unsweetened mango, for example, is listed as gluten-free and lactose-free, but may contain peanuts and nuts according to the product information.
Be clear about which specific claim applies, and check other ingredients and warnings separately.
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Confusing ‘unsulphured’ with ‘preservative-free’
The AH dried apricots examined, labelled as unsulphured, list potassium sorbate (E202) as a preservative.
Check the full ingredients list; the label only answers the question about sulphuring.
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Reading ‘unsweetened’ as ‘sugar-free’
AH unsweetened mango lists no added sugar, but contains 61 g of total sugars per 100 g according to the product information.
Read both the ingredients and nutritional information, and think carefully about how much you serve.
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Overlooking storage instructions after opening
For AH soaked dried apricots, the product information says to refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.
Check the instructions on the exact pack before putting the snacks out for your garden party.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The variants examined have different product claims and allergen information; check each one separately.
- AH Organic Dried & Unsweetened Mango is listed as gluten-free and lactose-free. The product information also warns that it may contain peanuts and nuts.
- AH Soaked Dried Apricots is listed as gluten-free, contains sulphites and should be refrigerated after opening. These details apply to specific variants, not the entire range.
Jumbo
The individual raisin variants differ in their ingredients and warnings.
- The ingredients list for Jumbo Sun-Dried Sultana Raisins names raisins and cottonseed oil.
- Jumbo Golden Raisins list E220 and a warning that they may contain nuts, peanuts, sesame and soya. Information about one variant doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Lidl
According to Lidl, the Alesto range includes dried fruit and nuts, including apricots.
- The product range is a starting point when shopping for a garden party.
- A general description of the range is not product-specific allergen information or a free-from statement. Check the packaging of the variant you choose.
Aldi
ALDI identifies Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots as dried fruit.
- The product description calls them soft dried apricots.
- That description alone doesn’t substantiate a claim about sulphites, gluten or the absence of allergens.
Plus
The Sultana raisins and dried apricots examined have different ingredients and product claims.
- PLUS Sultana raisins are listed as gluten-free and lactose-free; the ingredients list names raisins and sunflower oil.
- The PLUS dried apricots examined contain E220 (sulphites). Claims for the raisins don’t automatically apply to the apricots or the whole range.
Dirk
1 de Beste Sultana Raisins are a dried fruit option that Dirk suggests for yoghurt, muesli and baking recipes, among other uses.
- The product description gives examples of how to use them.
- That description isn’t a substantiated free-from statement. Don’t assume the product is suitable for a specific allergy without checking the product information.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are dried fruit options to consider alongside your guests’ dietary needs. Check the current ingredients, allergen information and warnings on each pack before serving.
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MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 150 g (25 g x 6)
The product description lists jackfruit as the only ingredient and says no sugar has been added; check the packaging against your guests’ needs.
Pack size: 150 g, divided into 6 portions of 25 g.
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MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 25 g
The product description lists jackfruit as the only ingredient and says no sugar has been added. Check the current packaging for allergen information relevant to your guests.
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OHLA dried guava 180 g
The description says the dried guava is ready to eat as a snack. The ingredients information lists sugar and a preservative, so this isn’t the right choice if you want to avoid added sugar.
The product information lists none of the 14 major EU allergens; also check the current packaging and any warnings.
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MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50 g
The description suggests enjoying these as a snack or as a topping for yoghurt and desserts. The ingredients information lists sugar, so this product isn’t suitable if you’re avoiding added sugar.
Ingredients listed in the product information: dried strawberries and sugar.
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Three Squirrels red dried apricots 250 g
The product description says the apricots are ready to eat as a snack. The ingredients information lists sulphites, sugar and maltose syrup, so this variant isn’t suitable if you’re avoiding added sulphites or added sugar.
The sulphite listed is sodium metabisulphite.
Frequently asked questions
Is lactose-free dried fruit also suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy?
Not on the basis of that claim alone. Lactose intolerance relates to milk sugar; cow’s milk allergy relates to milk proteins. If someone has a cow’s milk allergy, also check for milk ingredients and relevant warnings.
What does ‘may contain’ mean on a Dutch label?
It warns of the possible accidental presence of an allergen and doesn’t indicate an intentionally added ingredient. According to the NVWA, such a warning must be based on a risk assessment and must not be used where there is no risk of exceeding the reference values. The warning is not an individual guarantee of tolerance.
How can I serve the snacks without losing the allergen information?
Keep the original packaging with the snacks and, as a practical precaution, use separate, clean bowls and serving spoons. Discuss with the guest concerned which ingredients and warnings are relevant; serving items separately doesn’t replace checking the product information.
Can soaked apricots be kept out of the fridge after opening?
Follow the instructions for the exact variant. For AH soaked dried apricots, the product information says to refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7 °C. So refrigerate this variant, and don’t automatically apply its instructions to other dried fruit.
Are the Dutch PAL rules already in force?
Yes. According to the NVWA, the policy must be applied from 1 January 2026. The production date is decisive: older stocks of packaged products may still be sold under the transitional conditions, provided the food is not unsafe.
Does a caterer have to declare allergens at a garden party buffet?
Businesses offering unpackaged food must provide information about the 14 legally listed allergens. The NVWA describes written and oral options, subject to certain conditions. These rules for businesses don’t automatically apply as an obligation to every private host.