Households that regularly eat their favourite fruit
If the Father’s Day gift pack is also for home, choose an amount that suits what your household uses regularly. Check the net weight rather than choosing based on the packaging alone.
Who is it suitable for?
Shoppers who prioritise ingredients
If you check ingredients or need to consider a food allergy, read the label on the specific product before buying a larger quantity.
Gift-givers who want to combine Dad’s favourite flavours
If the pack is mainly a personal gift, choose fruit your dad enjoys. Several packs of the same fruit don’t automatically make for a varied selection.
What should you look for?
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who will find this important? |
|---|---|---|
| How much will be used | Check the net weight and choose an amount that suits how much your household uses; more isn’t automatically the better choice. | If my main priority is choosing an amount that suits what we use at home, I check the quantity per pack. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a useful quantity. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the specific product. | If you prioritise ingredients or have a specific allergen requirement, you’ll want to check the label before buying. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the product’s composition. |
| Dad’s favourite flavours | Check whether the pack contains one type of fruit or combines several varieties. | For a gift that suits your dad’s preferences, a selection of different fruits may matter more than one large pack. Around 21% of consumers prioritise variety in a personal gift. |
| Storage and using it up | Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and consider how much you’ll use once it’s opened. | If I’m thinking about storage space and how quickly we’ll use it, I’d rather choose an amount I can store and use up easily. Around 14% of consumers prioritise managing their stock. |
Common buying pitfalls
-
Assuming the biggest pack is automatically the best choice
A larger quantity is only practical if your household will use it. Otherwise, you’ll have some left over to store.
Choose based on how much you expect to use, and check the product’s storage instructions.
-
Confusing a multipack with a varied gift pack
The product name AH Soaked dried apricots 4-pack refers to a multipack of apricots, not four different types of fruit.
Check the product description and choose separate fruit varieties if you’re looking for a varied selection.
-
Overlooking ingredients and portions because of the fruit name
A fruit product’s name doesn’t always tell you everything about its ingredients or allergens.
Read the product information before buying, and keep the label with the gift if the recipient needs to consider allergens.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
A product range that includes a multipack of soaked dried apricots.
- The product name explicitly states that it’s a 4-pack of apricots.
- The term ‘multipack’ doesn’t mean it contains different types of fruit.
Jumbo
A range of dried fruit, including sultanas in different pack sizes.
- The listed sizes make it possible to choose an amount that suits your needs.
- Range information doesn’t tell you whether a product is available at a specific shop.
Lidl
Dried fruit is featured in the Alesto product range.
- The range includes dried fruit as a possible topping.
- The general range description doesn’t give details about a specific pack.
ALDI
The range includes Trader Joe's products, such as raisins and sun-dried apricots.
- The product pages name individual fruit varieties and pack sizes.
- Describing the apricots as soft is a product description, not an independent taste assessment.
PLUS
The product information includes dried apricots and tutti frutti.
- There are options for those looking for one type of fruit and those considering a fruit mix.
- The name tutti frutti doesn’t specify the exact ingredients or proportions on its own.
Dirk
The product information lists various types of dried fruit, including products from the 1 de Beste range.
- The varieties mentioned include sultanas, apricots and pitted prunes.
- The generic product name ‘raisins’ can’t automatically be attributed to a specific own-brand range.
Joybuy products
This Joybuy selection includes hawthorn slices in portion-sized bags and a sharing pack of dried fruit and nuts. Check each product to make sure its contents, ingredients and storage requirements are suitable for your gift.
Image unavailable
Bestore Hawthorn Flakes, 250 g (19–21 small bags)
The portion-sized bags may suit you if you want to give individual portions of the same snack.
The product information lists 250 g and 19–21 small bags.
The ingredients information lists white sugar; the nutrition table states 65 g of sugars per 100 g.
Image unavailable
Full of fruit flavor: share pack with nuts and dried fruit, 5-pack, 1.073 kg
This sharing pack may suit you if you want to offer several snacks; it doesn’t contain dried fruit exclusively.
The description lists five snacks and a total net weight of 1.073 kg, including banana chips, prunes and red dates.
The pack contains tree nuts. According to the product description, it should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within one day.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if a pack is the right size for your household?
Choose a net weight that suits what you’ll actually use at home. For a multipack, check the total contents of all the packs together, and follow the storage instructions for the specific product once opened.
What allergen information should you check for dried fruit?
Check the allergen information on the label of the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that pre-packed products must display allergen information on the label. Keep the label with the gift if the recipient needs to consider allergens.
How should you store an opened bag of raisins?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing opened raisins in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging and check for drying out, hardening, discolouration and mould. Don’t automatically apply this guidance to other dried or soaked fruit products.
When is the next Father’s Day in the Netherlands?
According to Stichting Beleven, the next Father’s Day in the Netherlands falls on Sunday 20 June 2027. Father’s Day on 21 June 2026 has passed.
What should you do if there’s a product safety warning?
Look up the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s warning for the specific product and follow the instructions provided. A general product description won’t tell you whether a particular pack or batch is affected by a warning.