Quick hand-outers
You want to fill treat bags without weighing out the fruit. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list individual raisin boxes with a set number of portions.
Who are these options suitable for?
Mindful portion planners
You pay attention to the amount eaten at a time and the ingredients. Small portions and supervision while eating are important for young children; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns of the choking risk posed by raisins and currants.
DIY party planners
You want to decide the amount in each bag yourself and have time to portion the fruit. Larger bags of raisins are one option; follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First choose between ready-portioned snacks and filling bags yourself. Then check the contents and product information for the exact variant.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which shoppers should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Quick to hand out and carry | Count the boxes and check the weight of each one, not just the total pack weight. | If I want to fill bags quickly or take portions with me, a pack of individual boxes is useful. Shoppers who prioritise convenience account for around 36% of those with this purchasing need. |
| Small portion and ingredients | Read the ingredients and check the total sugars; don’t compare values per 100 g directly with values per box. | If I’m looking for a small treat with clear information about its ingredients, I want to be able to assess both the portion and the ingredients. These are the key considerations for shoppers who prioritise portion size and ingredients, who account for around 29%. |
| Suitability for recipients | Check allergens, warnings and whether the product is suitable for the recipient. Don’t give young children too much at once, and stay with them while they eat. | If I need to take allergens or young children into account, I check the exact packaging and the circumstances in which the fruit will be eaten. Shoppers who prioritise safety and allergens account for around 21%. |
| Portioning yourself and leftovers | Compare the same amount per portion, factor in any extra bags, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If I want to decide the portion size and how to divide it myself, I’m happy to allow extra preparation time and take the cost of the bags into account. Shoppers who prioritise portioning themselves and keeping costs down account for around 14%. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a child-sized box is safe to eat without supervision
A small pack doesn’t change the risk of choking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on raisins and currants.
Don’t give young children too much at once, and stay with them while they eat. Don’t give them a box as an unsupervised snack for the journey.
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Assuming all fruit varieties contain the same allergens
The Jumbo boxes examined list possible traces of various nuts, milk and soya. The AH raisin and apricot mix lists sulphites and warns that a stone may remain.
Read the label for the exact variant before handing it out, and keep the original packaging available.
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’
AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars, but also 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. The product information therefore distinguishes between added and total sugars.
Check both the total sugars and the portion size. A 14 g box is a portion specific to this product, not a general recommendation for every child.
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Automatically assuming a larger pack is better value
A 500 g or 375 g bag of raisins doesn’t provide a set number of individual treat portions. Portioning them yourself also takes extra preparation and treat bags.
Compare the same amount per portion, and factor in the time and packaging materials needed to fill the bags yourself.
Relevant brands and product ranges
Albert Heijn
The AH Hamsterchef range examined includes plain raisins and a raisin and apricot mix in individual boxes.
- The product details list 10 boxes of 14 g for the plain raisins; the mix also comes in individual portions.
- The mix lists sulphites and warns that a stone may remain. The plain raisins are not sugar-free.
Jumbo
Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes is a sharing pack containing 14 portions of 14 g.
- The stated number of portions helps you work out how many bags you can fill from one pack.
- The product information lists possible traces of various nuts, milk and soya; check the warning for your recipients.
Lidl
Lidl lists dried fruit and dried tropical fruit on its Dutch product pages.
- The range offers a possible option if you’re looking for dried fruit.
- The product page examined says the product is available in selected stores; check the product variant and availability with your local store.
ALDI
The product page examined describes Trader Joe’s Raisins in a 500 g pack.
- The pack size listed could be a good starting point if you want to portion the fruit yourself.
- You’ll need to decide on and fill the individual portions yourself; the product page is not an independent taste review.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins is described as a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- You can decide how much to put in each treat bag.
- PLUS warns that, despite checks, stalks and stones may be present in the product.
Dirk
Dirk’s product listings include 750 g bags of raisins and 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins in a 375 g pack.
- The packs listed are one option if you want to put together portions yourself.
- A product listing alone says nothing about taste, nutritional quality or availability at a particular store.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy products are packaged snacks containing dried plums, raisins or hawthorn; check the portion packaging and ingredients for each product.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90g
A bag of dried plums which, according to the product information, is intended for sharing.
Pack size: 90 g. The product information lists plums, sugar and salt; the description also mentions sweeteners.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts 252 g
A raisin snack for anyone who wants to include raisins in a party bag.
Pack size: 252 g. The product information lists 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140g
The individual boxes could be a good choice if you want to hand out portions without weighing them yourself.
10 boxes of 14 g, 140 g in total. The product information says suitable from 12 months and advises supervision while eating; not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
According to the product information, this variant contains no added sugars and no sulphites.
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Be&Cheery Many kinds of hawthorn 160g
A hawthorn snack with a selection of flavours in one bag, for anyone considering an alternative to raisins.
Pack size: 160 g. The product information lists sugar, glucose and additives, including the colour E129 (Allura Red), and includes a warning about children’s activity and attention.
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Bestore Hawthorn Flakes 250g (19–21 Small Bags)
The individual small bags could suit a sharing format with pre-portioned packs.
Pack size: 250 g; the product name lists 19–21 small bags. The product information lists the colour E120 (carmine) and warns of a possible adverse effect on children’s activity and attention.
Frequently asked questions
How many boxes do I need for my Halloween treat bags?
If you want to put one box in each bag, start by counting the number of recipients. AH Hamsterchef Raisins contains 10 boxes and Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes contains 14; base the number of packs you need on the number of boxes, not just the total weight.
Can I give raisins to young children?
This calls for supervision and a small amount. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists raisins as a possible snack once a child is eating meals with the family, at around their first birthday, but also warns about choking. This is not an individual assessment: stay with your child while they eat, and don’t give raisins as an unsupervised snack for the journey.
Are raisins with apricot suitable if sulphites need to be avoided?
The AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apricot Pieces examined list sulphites. So don’t automatically swap plain raisins for this mix when sulphites need to be avoided; always check the ingredients for the exact variant.
How should I store the boxes and any leftover raisins?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the exact variant. AH Hamsterchef Raisins says to store in a cool, dark and dry place. For opened raisins, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives general advice of 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard; this is not a guaranteed shelf life for homemade party bags.
Is a larger bag of raisins always better value for a party?
You can’t tell from the pack size alone. Compare the same amount per recipient and include the cost of any treat bags. The packs examined at ALDI and PLUS contain 500 g and 375 g respectively, and you’ll need to portion them yourself.