Start with the substance your dad needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging. Unsweetened doesn’t mean sugar-free, and neither a product name nor a retailer’s selection is a blanket guarantee that something is free from allergens or sulphites.
You’re looking for an edible gift for someone who needs to avoid a specific substance. The Voedingscentrum stresses that label information matters when you have a food allergy, so check warnings about possible accidental presence too.
You want to pay particular attention to sulphites when choosing. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphites as preservatives that can be added to food, so check the information for the product variant you choose.
You’re looking for a gift without extra sweetening, while also bearing in mind the sugars naturally present in fruit. The Voedingscentrum and Kenniscentrum Zoetstoffen make clear that ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’.
Choose this option: if your dad needs to avoid a particular food allergen.
Bear in mind: a simple fruit snack doesn’t automatically rule out cross-contamination.
Choose this option: if sulphites are the main concern.
Bear in mind: check the information about preservatives; colour alone won’t tell you whether a product is suitable for this need.
Choose this option: if you mainly want to avoid extra sweetening.
Bear in mind: unsweetened fruit may still contain naturally occurring sugars, and this says nothing about allergens.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Check the ingredients and the warning about possible accidental presence on the exact packaging. | If I’m giving something to someone with a food allergy, I want to be able to check the relevant substance and warnings on the label. Around 36% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen. |
| Sulphites | Check specifically for sulphites and preservatives E220–E228; don’t judge suitability by colour. | If sulphites are the concern, I want to check the information about preservatives rather than go by appearance. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding sulphites top priority. |
| Added sugar | Distinguish between no added sugar and no sugar, and consider the portion too. | If I want to avoid extra sweetening, I look for a suitable product description and check the ingredients. Around 21% of consumers prioritise avoiding added sugar. |
| Packaging and quantity | Choose an amount that suits the gift and make sure the current product information stays with the packaging. | If I’m mainly looking for a practical gift, I want the quantity to suit how the fruit will be used and the recipient to be able to check the label. Around 14% of consumers prioritise gift size and packaging. |
A product’s general look and feel won’t tell you whether its ingredients or warnings are suitable for the specific substance someone needs to avoid.
Start with that substance, then check the ingredients and cross-contamination warning on the exact packaging.
A product with no added sugar may still contain natural sugars from fruit.
Check the product description and ingredients, and bear the portion size in mind.
Albert Heijn’s range also includes fruit mixes containing ingredients such as cashews or almonds. So the ‘dried fruit’ category doesn’t tell you everything about what’s inside.
Read the ingredients for the specific mix, rather than choosing based on the product category alone.
According to Stichting Voedselallergie, sulphites can be used to prevent browning. The colour therefore won’t tell you whether a product variant is suitable for someone who needs to avoid sulphites.
Check the information about preservatives rather than judging suitability by appearance.
The range includes individual dried fruit products and fruit and nut mixes, including a listing for dried, unsweetened pineapple.
The Jumbo Blanke Rozijnen product listing identifies a 250 g variant.
Lidl presents Alesto as a range of nuts and dried fruit.
The Trader Joe’s raisins product listing specifies a 500 g pack.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
The dried fruit range results show different types of fruit, including apricots and figs.
These product options are dried fruit variants to assess against your dietary needs using the packaging. Check the current ingredients and warnings for the exact variant; the product name alone doesn’t confirm that it’s suitable for a specific restriction.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for dried dates to share as a gift.
The product name specifies Medjool, size M and 908 g; the product information describes them as black dates.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before giving these to someone with a dietary restriction.
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A dried fruit option to consider if you’re specifically looking for guava.
The product information lists guava (95%), sugar and a preservative as ingredients.
This ingredients list doesn’t make the product suitable for everyone; check the current packaging for any substances your dad needs to avoid.
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A dried dragon fruit option to consider if you’re looking for this type of fruit.
The product name specifies a 180 g pack.
Check the current packaging for allergens, ingredients and any warnings.
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A dried soursop option to consider if you’re looking for this type of fruit.
The product information lists soursop, white sugar, glucose and sodium metabisulphite as ingredients. Sodium metabisulphite is a sulphite.
If you need to avoid sulphites, check the current packaging carefully before choosing this variant.
First, work out which substance your dad needs to avoid. Then check the current ingredients and allergen information for that specific substance. Avoiding sugar and managing a food allergy are different needs when choosing a product.
Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been overseeing the new rules for precautionary allergen labelling. A warning might say ‘May contain X’ or ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. Read these warnings alongside the ingredients information.
Stichting Voedselallergie describes reactions to sulphites as intolerance reactions. Sulphites can be added to foods as preservatives E220–E228, so check the information for dried fruit specifically if sulphites need to be avoided.
A gift pack doesn’t have to be a single serving. The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day, so present a larger pack as something to enjoy on several occasions, rather than as a recommended portion.
Leave the original packaging and product information with the gift, and follow the storage instructions for that specific variant. Check the label again before eating, as product and allergy information can change.
