Choose dried fruit based on the substance a guest actually needs to avoid, rather than a general ‘free from’ impression or the supermarket name. Check the ingredients, product-specific dietary claims and warnings separately. Serve your chosen snacks separately and clearly labelled, with the ingredient information alongside them, as the Food Allergy Foundation advises.
If you need to avoid a particular allergen, assess the ingredients, the specific dietary claim and any warnings on the packaging separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that prepacked products must display allergen information on the label.
If you need to avoid sulphites, check the ingredients for sulphur dioxide, sulphites or E220. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between sulphite intolerance and a food allergy.
If you’re putting out snacks for guests with different dietary needs, it helps to serve the products separately and keep the ingredient information alongside them. The Food Allergy Foundation recommends this approach for buffets.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and warnings | Identify the substance to avoid and check the ingredients, dietary claim and any cross-contamination warning on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to assess the information on the exact pack. Around 31% of consumers put their specific allergen needs first. |
| Sulphites | Look for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and E220 in the ingredients and allergen information. | If sulphites are what I need to avoid, I check the ingredients separately from claims such as vegan or gluten-free. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Sugar and portion size | Check whether a claim refers to added sugars, and plan how much to serve per person. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is general advice, not a recommended portion for drinks. | When filling the bowl, I want to know exactly what the sugar claim means and how much I’m putting out. Around 19% of consumers focus mainly on sugar information and portion size. |
| Serving and storage | Keep the ingredient information with each separate snack and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If I’m serving colleagues with different dietary needs, I want to keep each snack clearly separate and store any leftovers according to the label. Around 13% of consumers prioritise serving and storage. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack weight with the amount you want to put out for your guests; weight says nothing about whether a product is suitable for a particular diet. | When planning drinks, I want to choose an amount that suits the number of guests and the portions. Around 12% of consumers focus mainly on pack weight and the amount needed. |
A claim about gluten or lactose, for example, doesn’t automatically tell you whether a product is suitable for someone avoiding a particular allergen. The ingredients and any warnings each provide different information.
Find out in advance which substance needs to be avoided, then check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.
Lidl states that no sugar has been added to its Alesto mango strips, and explains that the product contains naturally occurring sugars.
Read the exact claim and product information. Don’t assume that ‘no added sugar’ means the product is sugar-free.
Storage instructions can vary between products. AH Gewelde gedroogde abrikozen must be refrigerated after opening and kept at a maximum of 7°C.
Check the instructions on the pack before serving, and follow them for any opened leftovers too.
Albert Heijn’s product information includes product-specific dietary details for items such as dried mango and softened apricots.
Jumbo Gedroogde Abrikozen Zonder Pit 250 g has product information about its ingredients and possible cross-contamination.
Lidl makes a claim about added sugars for its Alesto dried mango strips.
Trader Joe’s product descriptions at ALDI include sun-dried apricots and raisins.
PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen 375 g is a specific product with information about its ingredients and allergens.
1 de Beste Abrikozen 375 g is a specific option from Dirk’s own-brand range.
No. A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a specific allergy. For example, the ingredients in PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen list E220 (sulphite), so check the exact pack for the substance you need to avoid.
Since 1 January 2026, according to the NVWA, a precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) warning such as ‘may contain’ can only be used when a risk assessment shows that reference levels could be exceeded. Without such a risk, the warning must not appear on the label. The warning does not mean that every individual pack actually contains the allergen.
Check the label on the exact pack. The NVWA states that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label. Also read the ingredients and any warnings relevant to your guest.
Serve the snacks separately and keep the ingredient information alongside them. The Food Allergy Foundation recommends serving buffet dishes separately and displaying ingredient cards. This does not replace checking whether a product is suitable for a guest’s needs.
No. Follow the instructions on the specific pack. AH Gewelde gedroogde abrikozen must be refrigerated after opening and kept at a maximum of 7°C; PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
