Hosts with guests who have allergies
You want to know which allergen a guest avoids, so you assess the ingredients and relevant warnings for each product. The NVWA and Voedingscentrum emphasise the importance of allergen information.
Who is this guide for?
Hosts with guests sensitive to sulphites
You’re looking specifically for information about sulphites and distinguishing between unsulphured fruit and a product that might be suitable for all allergies. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphites as preservatives.
Hosts looking to avoid added sugar
You’re looking for dried fruit with no added sugar, while bearing in mind that dried fruit naturally contains sugar. Voedingscentrum makes this distinction in its information about fruit.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with each guest’s specific dietary requirement. A type of fruit or a broad product description alone won’t tell you whether a product meets that requirement.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Read the ingredients and check the precautionary allergen warnings separately. The NVWA explains the information requirements for the statutory allergen list. | If a guest needs to avoid a particular allergen, I want to be able to assess the ingredients and warnings separately. Around 31% of consumers make checking for allergens their top purchase priority. |
| Sulphites | Check the product information; use ‘unsulphured’ only as a search term, not as a general guarantee for allergy sufferers. Stichting Voedselallergie lists E220–E228 as sulphite preservatives. | If a guest needs to avoid sulphites, I look for them specifically and check the full product information. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Added sugar | Check the ingredients for added sugar and bear in mind that dried fruit naturally contains sugar. Voedingscentrum explains this distinction. | If I want to avoid added sugar, I don’t want to assume that this makes the fruit sugar-free. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this requirement. |
| Serving separately | Keep the product information with the correct bowl and use separate serving utensils for products that need to be kept apart. | For a buffet, I want to be able to tell which information goes with each bowl and keep products separate. Around 13% of consumers prioritise clear serving and storage arrangements. |
| Suitable quantity | Match the pack size to the number of guests and your portion plan; follow the storage instructions on the pack for any leftovers. | If I only need a small amount of a particular type of fruit, I want to choose a pack size to suit. Around 12% of consumers prioritise a suitable quantity. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘free from’ means suitable for every guest with an allergy
A general description is no substitute for checking the specific ingredients and warnings.
Make a note of what each guest needs to avoid and assess each product separately.
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Confusing unsulphured with generally allergen-free
Unsulphured does not mean that other allergens or ingredients are absent. Sulphites need to be considered separately.
Use the description only as a search term for sulphites, then check the full product information.
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Treating no added sugar as sugar-free
Dried fruit still contains sugar even when none has been added, as Voedingscentrum explains.
Check the ingredients and consider sugar separately from allergen information.
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Mixing a chosen product with other snacks
At a buffet, a product that needs to be kept separate can still come into contact with other snacks while you’re setting up or serving.
Keep the products clearly separate and use separate serving utensils. Sensz highlights cross-contamination as something to consider when serving buffet food.
Supermarkets as a guide to the range
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to compare individual types of fruit and products with a specific description, such as unsulphured.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Unsulphured Apricots and also offers various types of dried fruit.
- The range also includes fruit and nut mixes, so the category name ‘dried fruit’ does not guarantee a consistent composition.
Jumbo
Worth considering when you want to match the type of fruit and pack size to your portion plan.
- Jumbo lists, among other things, raisins, apricots, prunes and dates, as well as sultanas in different pack sizes.
- A description such as ‘stoneless’ or a particular pack weight does not, in itself, say anything about whether a product is allergen-free.
Lidl
The Alesto range is worth considering if you want to compare individual products and mixes for snacking or adding as a topping.
- Lidl describes Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit.
- As the range includes both nuts and fruit, you’ll need to assess the ingredients of each individual product.
Aldi
Worth considering if you want to look at an individual product containing dried apricots.
- ALDI’s Dutch product information lists Trader Joe’s sun-dried apricots in a 250 g pack.
- ‘Sun-dried’ and ‘soft’ do not confirm whether a product contains allergens or preservatives.
PLUS
Worth considering if you’re looking for an individual product containing dried apricots.
- PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- PLUS warns that product information may change, so check the current label.
Dirk
Worth considering if you’re looking for raisins for your party.
- Dirk’s product information lists a raisin product.
- Range information alone does not confirm a specific feature, such as being sulphite-free or suitable for someone with a particular allergy.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
This Joybuy selection focuses on dried fruit and fruit products where ingredients, type of fruit or individual portions may be relevant. Ingredients vary by product, so check the current label to make sure it meets your guests’ requirements.
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MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 150 g (25 g x 6)
The individual bags may suit your portion plan for a party. The product information lists jackfruit as the only ingredient and says no added sugar; check the current allergen information for your guests too.
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Medjool dates 908 g
These dates may suit you if you want to serve one type of fruit on its own. The product information lists dates as an ingredient; read the current label and warnings before serving them to your guests.
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Anatolia Sari Uzum (Raisins) 500gr
These raisins may suit you if you want to serve or use a single type of fruit. The product information lists dried grapes as an ingredient; check the current product information against your guests’ requirements.
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Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes 500g
The pitted jujubes may suit you if you want to serve fruit without stones. The product information lists red dates as the only ingredient; check the current label and relevant warnings for your guests.
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MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50 g
These slices may work as a fruity snack or topping if added sugar is not a concern. Sugar is listed in the ingredients, so this product is not suitable if you need to avoid added sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Does the list of 14 statutory allergens cover every possible issue with fruit?
No. The NVWA describes a specific list of 14 allergens that must be disclosed. This list is not a general declaration that a product is suitable for every guest; assess it against each person’s specific requirements.
Is unsulphured dried fruit automatically suitable for someone with a food allergy?
No. ‘Unsulphured’ indicates a specific requirement relating to sulphites; it is not a general guarantee for allergy sufferers. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphites as preservatives; check the other ingredients and warnings too.
Is dried fruit with no added sugar sugar-free?
No. No added sugar does not mean that the fruit itself contains no sugar. Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day; this is general dietary information, not an individual medical portion or a legal limit for parties.
How can you keep bowls of fruit separate on a buffet?
Use clearly identifiable separate bowls and separate serving utensils for products that need to be kept apart. Keep the packaging with the correct bowl too, so the ingredient information is available. This won’t prevent a product from being unsuitable if it was chosen incorrectly in the first place.
What rules apply in the Netherlands to warnings about the unintended presence of allergens?
According to the NVWA, new rules take effect on 1 January 2026 on how and when food businesses must warn about allergens that may inadvertently enter food. The NVWA will monitor compliance with these rules from 2026. This does not automatically make a product suitable for every diet.