Choose dried fruit for a street festival based on the specific substance you need to avoid: check the ingredients and warnings on the individual product’s packaging. If you have a sulphite intolerance, pay particular attention to sulphite information. Then choose packaging and an amount that are practical to carry, without treating the pack weight as proof that it is suitable for your diet.
Check the ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination separately. The NVWA explains that allergen information for prepacked products should appear on the label. A fruit or free-from claim alone does not tell you whether a product is suitable for your diet.
Pay particular attention to sulphite information. The Food Allergy Foundation lists dried fruit as a product category in which sulphites may be present, and highlights preservatives E220–E228.
Pack weight and storage and nutritional information can help you plan ahead. First check whether the product is suitable for your diet, and keep the product information with the snack you take with you.
First, check for the substance you need to avoid. Then consider the packaging, quantity and nutritional information for when you’re out and about.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this particularly relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Your specific allergen | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging. | If I need to avoid a particular allergen, I want to assess the information for this specific product. Around 39% of consumers put avoiding a specific allergen at the top of their shopping priorities. |
| Sulphites | Check the sulphite information and preservatives E220–E228; colour or a sun-dried claim does not prove that the product is suitable. | If I have a sulphite intolerance, I want to be able to check that information in particular, even if other product features appeal to me. Around 23% of consumers put sulphite information first. |
| Ease of carrying | Compare the pack weight with the amount you want to take, and follow the storage advice for your chosen product. | If I want to prepare an amount for the festival in advance, packaging that lets me measure out the contents is useful. Around 23% of consumers say ease of carrying is their main consideration. |
| Sugars and portion size | Check the nutritional values per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually eat; no added sugar does not automatically mean low in sugar. | If I’m watching my sugar intake, I want to consider both the nutritional information and my planned portion. Around 15% of consumers make choosing with sugar in mind their top priority. |
The World Cancer Research Fund advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice from that organisation, not a legal limit or personal medical advice.
The category may also include fruit and nut mixes. Ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination are separate things to check.
Check the label of the specific product for the allergen you need to avoid; don’t rely on the category name alone.
Sulphites may be used as preservatives and to maintain colour. The preparation description alone tells you nothing about the sulphite information.
Check the product information specifically for sulphites and preservatives E220–E228.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund, dried fruit contains more sugar per 100 g than fresh fruit.
Check the nutritional values and measure out the amount you want to take with you.
The storage advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre is for raisins and does not automatically apply to soaked apricots or other fruit products.
Follow the storage information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
The range includes AH Hamsterchef Raisins and AH Soaked Dried Apricots, among other products.
Jumbo lists dried mango in a 125 g pack and sultanas in various pack sizes.
Lidl lists dried fruit for selected stores.
ALDI Nederland lists TRADER JOE'S Sun-Dried Apricots, 250 g, and describes them as soft.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a stand-up pouch of 375 g.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins; 1 de Beste is Dirk’s own-label range.
These Joybuy products are fruit options to take with you; always check the packaging to make sure they’re suitable for your dietary needs.
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The six individual bags may suit you if you want to take smaller portions with you; check the dietary information on the packaging first.
The product name gives a total weight of 150 g and six bags of 25 g.
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This fruit option may suit you if you want to take a small amount with you; check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging for your dietary needs.
The product name gives a pack size of 25 g.
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These dates are a fruit option to take with you, once you’ve checked the product information against your dietary needs.
The product name gives the date variety as Medjool, the size as M and the pack weight as 908 g.
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Dried guava is a fruit option for when you’re out and about; check the ingredients and allergen information for this variety before choosing it.
The product name gives a pack size of 180 g.
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This fruit option may suit you if you’re looking for a pitted product to take with you; check the full product information against your dietary needs.
The product name gives the variety as pitted red dates and the pack weight as 500 g.
The NVWA says allergen information for prepacked products should appear on the label. Check the information for the allergen you need to avoid; a label claim is not a general guarantee that a product is suitable for every dietary need.
Check specifically for sulphite information and preservatives E220–E228. The Food Allergy Foundation lists dried fruit as a relevant product category; a sun-dried claim or a particular colour is no substitute for checking.
The Dutch Coeliac Association describes this type of warning as information about a possible risk, not proof that every pack contains the substance in question. Take into account any warning relevant to your diet, and follow the dietary guidance that applies to you.
Not necessarily: the advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre is for raisins. For opened raisins, it recommends storing them in a kitchen cupboard and gives a storage period of 6–9 months; follow the packaging instructions for other fruit products.
The World Cancer Research Fund advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. Treat this as dietary advice from that organisation, not a legal limit or personal medical instruction.
Use the information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought, and check the latest product details. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that product information can change and direct customers to their customer or consumer services with any questions.
