When choosing dried fruit for a birthday get-together, start with your guest’s specific allergen or dietary requirement, then consider the type of fruit and the packaging. Albert Heijn lists AH Sun-Dried Raisins as gluten-free and lactose-free; Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots and PLUS Dried Apricots list E220 (sulphite), so these varieties are not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid sulphites. No individual ‘free from’ claim is a general guarantee: check the ingredients and relevant warnings on the packaging you buy.
You want to offer fruit that suits your guest’s specific allergen, without making a general claim that it is allergen-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products; check any relevant warnings too.
You’re looking for dried fruit for someone who needs to avoid sulphites, and don’t want to confuse preservatives with the type of fruit. Jumbo and PLUS list sulphites in the apricot products mentioned here, so check each variety individually.
For example, you’re looking for a product labelled gluten-free or lactose-free and want to know exactly what that claim covers. Albert Heijn lists both claims for AH Sun-Dried Raisins, but this is not a general statement about other allergens.
Start with your guest’s specific allergen or dietary requirement. Then choose a type of fruit and packaging that will suit your get-together.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergen and warning | Read the ingredients and any relevant warnings on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires allergen information for prepacked products to appear on the label. | If I’m serving something to a guest with an allergy, I want to check the specific allergen and warning; around 36% of consumers put allergen safety first. |
| Sulphites | Check the ingredients for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and relevant E-numbers. Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots and PLUS Dried Apricots list E220 (sulphite). | If I need to avoid sulphites, I want to be able to identify the preservative rather than choosing based on the type of fruit alone; around 29% of consumers put avoiding sulphites first. |
| Specific ‘free from’ claim | Look for the claim that matches the specific requirement, then check the other ingredients and warnings too. AH Sun-Dried Raisins are labelled gluten-free and lactose-free. | If I need a gluten-free or lactose-free option, I look for that specific claim and check the rest of the label too; around 21% of consumers put a specific ‘free from’ claim first. |
| Portion and nutritional information | Compare the pack weight and nutritional information per 100 g. AH Sun-Dried Raisins list 59 g of sugars and 0 g of added sugars per 100 g. | For a small get-together, I want to plan how much to serve and what to do with any leftovers; around 14% of consumers put portion size and nutritional content first. |
Gluten-free or lactose-free does not automatically answer questions about other allergens. You should also pay attention to warnings about possible presence.
Make a note of your guest’s specific requirement and check the ingredients and relevant warnings on the packaging.
Vegan and sulphite-free are different claims. PLUS Dried Apricots list apricot and the preservative E220 (sulphite).
Check the preservative separately if sulphites need to be avoided.
AH Sun-Dried Raisins list 0 g of added sugars, but also 59 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Read the total and added sugars separately; one claim is not a substitute for the other.
An overview of fruit types or a general brand page does not provide the same product information as the ingredients list and allergen warning on an individual pack.
Make your final choice based on the specific product and current packaging, not just the supermarket name.
AH Sun-Dried Raisins are a specific example for anyone looking for particular dietary claims.
The range includes examples of both raisins and dried apricots.
Lidl includes dried fruit, such as mango strips, in its Alesto range.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s raisins and sun-dried apricots as product examples.
PLUS Dried Apricots 375 g are an example of a product whose information lists sulphites.
Dirk’s range includes dates, pitted apricots, pitted prunes and dried figs.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit options for a get-together. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety on the packaging you receive.
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A good option if you want to serve jackfruit in individual portions at your get-together.
The product description lists jackfruit as the sole ingredient and specifies six 25 g bags. The product information lists ‘none’ under allergens; check the packaging, as this is not a general guarantee that the product is suitable for every food allergy.
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A good option if you’re looking for a small portion of jackfruit as a snack for your get-together.
The product description lists jackfruit as an ingredient and gives a portion size of 25 g. It says that no sugar or preservatives are added; the product information lists ‘none’ under allergens, which is not a general guarantee that the product is suitable for every food allergy.
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A good option if you’re looking for dried guava to serve as a fruit snack at your get-together.
The ingredients list includes 95% guava, sugar and a preservative. The product description states that it does not contain any of the 14 main EU allergens; check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, as this claim is not a general declaration that the product is allergen-free.
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A good option if you’re looking for dried strawberries to serve as a snack or topping.
The product description lists dried strawberries and sugar as ingredients, and says the slices are ready to eat.
No, that claim alone is not enough. Lactose intolerance affects the body’s ability to digest lactose, while a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins. If someone has a milk allergy, check the ingredients and any relevant milk warnings separately, as explained by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation.
This type of warning indicates possible accidental presence, for example due to cross-contamination, rather than an ingredient that has been deliberately added. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the difference. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says new rules for allergen warnings have applied in the Netherlands since 1 January 2026.
The storage advice for the AH Sun-Dried Raisins and PLUS Dried Apricots reviewed here is to keep them in a cool, dark and dry place. For the pack you buy, also follow the use-by date and any instructions for after opening.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. This is dietary advice, not an allergen safety threshold, and it does not make a product suitable for someone with an allergy.
You don’t need to soak AH Sun-Dried Raisins before eating them as a snack; the product information says they can be eaten without further preparation. For other products, follow the instructions on their packaging.
