Choose dried fruit based on the specific substance you need to avoid: check the ingredients, dietary claim and any cross-contamination warning separately. Take a supply you’ve checked in advance and follow the storage advice on the packaging. A gluten-free or vegan claim says nothing, by itself, about other allergens.
You need to avoid a particular allergen or ingredient and want to check the recipe and any cross-contamination information before taking something with you. The NVWA advises consumers to check allergen information before buying.
You’re looking for dried fruit without a sulphite additive that isn’t suitable for you. Bear in mind that gluten-free or vegan doesn’t mean sulphite-free; Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphite as a substance that can be added to food.
You want to take suitable snacks with you and store them according to the label while you’re away. The Voedingscentrum lists taking essential products with you as one way to prepare for a holiday.
First, work out which substance you need to avoid, then check the exact product packaging. For travelling, also consider how to store it and how much you want to take with you.
| Purchasing consideration | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergy or intolerance | Check the ingredients, the specific dietary claim and any warning about your allergen on the exact product packaging. | If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, you’ll want to know what’s in your product and whether there’s a cross-contamination warning. Consumers who prioritise suitability for their dietary needs make up around 39% of this group. |
| Avoiding sulphites | Look for sulphites or sulphur dioxide in the ingredients and allergen information; also check for E220–E228. | If you need to avoid sulphites, don’t assume the type of fruit tells you what’s in the recipe. Consumers who prioritise avoiding sulphites make up around 23% of this group. |
| Taking supplies and storing them | Choose an amount that suits your trip and check the storage advice and best-before date. | If you want to take a supply you’ve checked in advance, you’ll also need to consider where you can store it according to the label. Consumers who prioritise practical travel supplies make up around 23% of this group. |
| Sugar and portion size | Check added sugar and total sugars per 100 g separately, then decide how much you want to take with you. | If you’re watching your added sugar and want to plan your snack portions, neither figure alone is enough. Consumers who prioritise sugar and portion size make up around 15% of this group. |
A claim such as gluten-free answers a specific dietary question, but it doesn’t rule out the presence of other allergens.
Start with your own list of ingredients to avoid and check each relevant substance separately on the packaging.
Added sugars and total sugars are different figures. Albert Heijn lists AH Rozijnen as containing 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Read the full nutritional information and decide for yourself what portion you want to take with you.
For tuttifrutti, the Voedingscentrum advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. This isn’t a storage time that applies to every variety or travel condition.
Follow the label on your product and choose an amount and storage option that suit its instructions.
If you can’t store your supplies as directed on the packaging, some of them may become unusable.
You can’t assume a product that suits your diet will be available at your destination.
Check what’s available in advance and take essential snacks with you if your destination’s rules allow it.
An unexpected alternative may take extra time to find, or mean you have to sort out different snacks.
The product information includes examples of raisins and softened apricots, with separate dietary and allergen claims.
Jumbo Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen 250g is an option to check the recipe of the specific variety.
Lidl’s information about dried tropical fruit refers to several varieties.
The product listing for sun-dried apricots is for a 250 g pack.
PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen is a 375 g stand-up pouch with clear information about ingredients and sulphites.
The product listing is for 1 de Beste Abrikozen in a 375 g pack.
These Joybuy products are freeze-dried jackfruit in snack packs. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging before deciding whether the product suits your list of ingredients to avoid.
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The product information describes this as a snack that can be eaten straight from the pack.
Jackfruit (100%) is listed as an ingredient; no allergens are listed. Check the current packaging and any cross-contamination information for your situation.
The product description recommends storing it in a cool, dry place.
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The product description mentions six individual bags and says they’re suitable as a snack on the go.
Jackfruit (100%) is listed as an ingredient; no allergens are listed. Check the current packaging and any cross-contamination information for your situation.
The description recommends storing it in a cool, dry place.
No. A gluten-free claim relates to gluten and isn’t a general statement that a product is free from all allergens. The European Commission sets out the EU framework for gluten claims; also check the ingredients and warnings for any other substances you need to avoid.
Alongside the ingredients list, check the warning for the allergen that’s relevant to you. The NVWA states that rules on substantiating such warnings apply from 1 January 2026; a warning refers to possible unintended contact, not an ingredient that has been deliberately added.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging for sulphites or sulphur dioxide. The product information for the AH Gewelde gedroogde abrikozen and PLUS Gedroogde abrikozen reviewed here lists sulphites; this doesn’t automatically apply to other apricot products.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of your product. For tuttifrutti, the Voedingscentrum recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; this advice doesn’t specify a storage time for every variety or hot travel conditions.
That depends on the rules at your destination. The Voedingscentrum points out that some countries have rules on importing food, so check the official requirements for your destination before taking food with you.
Check the packaging you actually have and contact customer services if you’re unsure. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that ingredients and allergen information can change.
