For an Easter egg hunt, start by weighing out a portion, then compare the kcal per 100 g for the exact product. Official product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists 182, 237, 282 and 344 kcal per 100 g for the four products compared. According to the European Commission, the claim ‘low energy’ can only be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g, so none of these four meets that threshold. For young children, small portions, supervision and the instructions on the label all matter; a lower energy value does not replace these checks.
You want to hand out a small treat and compare kcal for the same weight. ‘No added sugar’ doesn’t automatically mean a product is low in kcal; the labels for Albert Heijn and PLUS also distinguish between added and total sugars.
You’re thinking about small portions, when to serve them and keeping an eye on the children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says raisins can occasionally be offered as a snack around a child’s first birthday, once they’re eating family meals, and advises against giving too many at once.
You want to portion snacks out in advance, have the ingredients information to hand and follow the storage instructions. The NVWA states that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label.
For an Easter egg hunt, consider portion size, safe serving, ingredients and preparation as separate factors.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might find this important? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g for the exact product and weigh the portion you plan to hand out. | If I want to take the energy value of a treat into account, I compare products at the same weight. Around 36% of consumers put energy per portion first. |
| Safe serving | Give young children small portions and stay with them; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raisins can pose a choking risk. | For young children, I want to prepare small portions and supervise them while they eat. Around 29% of consumers give safe serving top priority. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Read both the nutrition information and the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If ingredients matter to the people taking part, I want to be able to check the packaging before handing anything out. Around 21% of consumers choose ingredients and allergen information as their first criterion. |
| Portions and storage | Work out how many portions you need and follow the storage instructions for the exact product. | For a group, I want to be able to plan the number of portions and how to store them in advance. Around 14% of consumers prioritise preparation and storage. |
A small portion can contain fewer kcal than a larger portion of the same product, but that doesn’t make the product itself ‘low energy’. The European Commission sets a limit of no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for this claim on solid foods.
Compare the kcal per 100 g for the exact product, then use that value to work out the energy in your weighed portion.
Total sugars and added sugars are different figures. Albert Heijn says its AH Raisins contain no added sugar, but lists 59 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Read both the nutrition information and the ingredients list, and consider them alongside the portion you plan to hand out.
Soaked apricots may have different storage instructions from dried products. AH Soaked Dried Apricots should be kept refrigerated after opening, at no more than 7 °C.
Check the packaging for your chosen product before preparing the treats.
A product that needs to be refrigerated after opening requires suitable storage and preparation.
A decorative appearance doesn’t tell you whether the material is suitable for direct contact with fruit. The NVWA sets out requirements for materials that come into contact with food.
Keep the fruit in packaging intended for food contact and retain the ingredients information.
Using suitable inner packaging and portioning everything out in advance requires extra materials and preparation time.
The own-brand range includes products such as raisins and soaked dried apricots.
The own-brand range includes products such as pitted dried apricots.
Alesto is Lidl’s range of products including nuts and dried fruit, such as apricots.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack.
The own-brand range includes dried plums in a 375 g pack.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Pruimen zonder pit (pitted prunes) in a 375 g pack.
These Joybuy products are plum and raisin options you can compare for portions at an Easter egg hunt. Check the portion size, ingredients and label information for each product.
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For anyone who wants to hand out plums in a small pack: the product description says they’re ready to eat.
The product description lists 68 kcal per 100 g. The ingredients are plums, white sugar, salt and sweeteners.
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For anyone who wants to hand out raisins: the product description says raisins make up 99,5% of the ingredients.
The description also lists sunflower oil and advises storing the product in a cool, dry place and closing the pack securely after opening. Give young children small portions and supervise them while they eat.
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For anyone who wants to portion snacks out in advance: the product description says the pack contains 10 boxes of 14 g each.
According to the product information, this product contains no added sugars and is intended for children aged 12 months and over. It’s not suitable for children under 12 months or those with swallowing difficulties; supervise children while they eat.
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For anyone who wants to hand out prunes in individual portions: the product description lists 65 g portions and says the product is ready to eat.
The product description lists 214 kcal per 100 g and fructose syrup as an ingredient.
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For anyone looking for dried plums in a 280 g pack: the product description says they’re ready to eat.
The product description lists 285 kcal and 12,68 g of sugars per 100 g. The ingredients include white sugar, crystalline fructose and salt.
Not just because you’re serving a small portion. According to the European Commission, the claim ‘low energy’ can be used for solid foods containing no more than 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g; the four variants compared are all above this limit. You can still compare the kcal in a weighed portion.
No, don’t assume they’re suitable for children of every age. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says raisins can occasionally be offered as a snack around a child’s first birthday, once they’re eating family meals. It recommends small portions and warns of a choking risk. Stay with children while they eat.
Follow the instructions for the exact product. AH Soaked Dried Apricots should be kept refrigerated after opening, at no more than 7 °C; the Jumbo apricots checked come with advice to store them in a cool, dry and dark place.
Only if the material is intended for contact with food. The NVWA sets out requirements for food contact materials; a decorative appearance doesn’t show that these requirements have been met. Use suitable food packaging between the fruit and the decorative egg.
Check the label on the exact pack. According to the NVWA, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label; the Jumbo dried apricots checked list sulphites and the possible presence of nuts, peanuts and sesame.
