Ready to take with you
You want to pop a small snack in your bag without weighing it out first. AH Hamsterchef Raisins contains ten 14 g boxes, according to Albert Heijn’s product information.
Who are small dried fruit snacks useful for?
Shoppers comparing portions and ingredients
You pay attention to the quantity, added sugars and ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides advice on how much dried fruit to eat each day; also check the ingredients of the specific variety you choose.
Holidaymakers who portion snacks themselves
You prepare snacks before you leave and want to decide how much to take with you. Larger packs of raisins and a resealable fruit pack offer different packaging options, according to product information from PLUS, Jumbo and ALDI.
What should you look for in small portions of dried fruit?
First choose between pre-portioned packs and weighing it out yourself, then compare the quantity and ingredients of the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for the journey | Check how many boxes are in the pack and the weight of each one; Albert Heijn lists AH Hamsterchef Raisins as ten 14 g portions. | If I want to grab something from my bag while I’m out, I don’t want to have to weigh it first. Around 36% of consumers prioritise convenience when taking snacks with them. |
| Quantity and sugars | Read both the ingredients and the nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day; add together any multiple portions. | I want to adjust my portion to what I eat that day and distinguish added sugars from total sugars. Around 29% of consumers give portion control top priority. |
| Portioning and storage | Compare the pack size with the amount you want to take and follow the storage instructions on the label. | If I prepare snacks in advance, I want to weigh out my own portions and store the rest according to the label. Around 21% of consumers prioritise portioning and storing snacks themselves. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the exact variety and the allergen information on the pack; the NVWA sets out the labelling requirements for prepacked products. | I want to know whether the ingredients suit my personal dietary requirements, for example regarding sulphites or nuts. Around 14% of consumers give checking ingredients top priority. |
Common pitfalls when taking dried fruit with you
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Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’
AH Hamsterchef Raisins states that it contains no added sugars, but it does contain 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. These two statements tell you different things.
Read both the ingredients list and the nutritional information, and bear in mind how much you eat throughout the day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day.
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Treating a resealable bag as one small portion
The resealable pack described by ALDI contains 200 g. A pack that can be resealed is not the same as a pack containing individual snack portions.
Decide in advance how much you want to take and weigh it out yourself if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s recommendation of a maximum of 20 g per day is dietary advice, not a packaging limit.
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Assuming different fruit varieties have the same ingredients
AH Hamsterchef Raisins and the variety with apple pieces have different ingredients. The apple variety lists sulphites; a mix containing nuts may have different ingredients and allergens.
Check the exact flavour and the allergen information on the pack. If you have a personal allergy or sensitivity, this information should guide your choice.
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Confusing a long shelf life with resistance to summer heat
The raisin packs reviewed give storage instructions to keep them in a cool, dry and dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises storing dried fruit mix in a tightly sealed container.
Follow the instructions on the pack you choose and don’t leave your supplies in a hot car for a long time.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
The product information describes AH Hamsterchef raisins in small snack boxes.
- AH Hamsterchef Raisins contains ten 14 g boxes; Albert Heijn states that it has no added sugar.
- The apple variety contains sulphites. Check which variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s category listing includes sultanas in various pack sizes.
- The range includes 250, 500 and 750 g packs, as well as a 250 g organic variety.
- These larger packs are not evidence of individual snack portions; the organic label alone tells you nothing about the sugar content.
Lidl
Lidl describes Alesto dried fruit in several varieties.
- The product page lists dried tropical fruit in 200 g packs.
- The page states that the product is available in store. The pack size listed does not indicate individual portions.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s raisins and a range that includes cranberries or fruit mix.
- The product information lists raisins in a 500 g pack and a resealable 200 g fruit pack.
- The range page groups several varieties together; ingredients and allergens may differ from one variety to another.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins come in a 375 g stand-up pouch for portioning yourself.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients and 0 g of added sugars.
- This is not a pack of individual portions. PLUS warns that, despite checks, stalks and stones may be present in the product.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Blanke raisins in a 375 g pack.
- You can weigh out portions from the larger pack before you leave.
- The product information does not confirm that the pack contains individual snack portions.
Joybuy products for dried fruit snacks on the go
These products are dried fruit snacks to take with you; check the portion format, ingredients and storage instructions for each variety.
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Sihong Gray Dates with Walnuts 208g
An option if you want to take dates with walnuts; the product information lists dates and walnut kernels.
Contains walnuts. Store in a cool, dry place.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140g
The product information mentions snack boxes, making these suitable if you want to take raisins in small portions.
The product name states 12M+ and 140 g. Supervise children while they eat; not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties. Store in a cool, dry and dark place.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90g
The product description says it’s suitable for taking with you and sharing; the pack contains 90 g.
The product information lists added sugar and 3 g of salt per 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and seal the bag tightly after opening.
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Bestore Dried Loquat with Bamboo Salt 200g
An option if you’re looking for dried loquat as a fruit snack; the product name states 200 g.
The product information lists added sugars and sulphites. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts - 252 g
An option if you want to take raisins with you; check the pack to make sure the portion format suits how you plan to hand them out.
The product information lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and seal the pack tightly after opening.
Frequently asked questions about dried fruit on holiday
Is a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit per day a legal limit?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g per day as dietary advice, not as a legal packaging limit. Use this advice when planning the total amount of dried fruit you eat that day.
How should you store an opened pack while you’re on holiday?
Follow the instructions on the pack. AH Hamsterchef and PLUS Sultana Raisins advise storing their products in a cool, dry and dark place; for dried fruit mix, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends keeping it tightly sealed. This does not guarantee that it will keep in a hot car.
Where can you check for allergens in prepacked dried fruit?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack. According to the NVWA, allergens in prepacked products must be stated on the label and clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. Check this information against your personal dietary requirements.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean that raisins are sugar-free?
No. AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. These are different figures; check both when comparing the ingredients.
Do you need to soak dried fruit before eating it?
There are no instructions to soak the AH Hamsterchef snack boxes reviewed; they are sold as a snack. Follow the instructions for the specific product and don’t assume they apply to other types of dried fruit.