Choose dried fruit based on the substance you want to avoid, and check both the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging. The Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed list sulphites, so they are not suitable if you need to avoid sulphites. Claims about added sugar or a single allergen do not, on their own, show that a product is free from other substances.
You’re looking for an afternoon snack that suits the specific allergen you avoid. Check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings; a fruit and nut mix calls for a different assessment from individual fruits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products.
You want to know whether dried fruit contains sulphites or preservatives. Check the product information for the exact variety rather than relying on the type or colour of the fruit. Stichting Voedselallergie distinguishes between sulphite intolerance and an allergic reaction.
You’re looking for a convenient snack to take with you that has no added sugar, but you also want to consider the total amount of sugar and your portion size. This is a different consideration from avoiding allergens or sulphites.
First, decide which substance you most need to avoid. Then check the ingredients, warnings and nutritional information on the exact pack. A claim about sugar, vegan suitability or one allergen does not automatically answer your other questions.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A specific allergen | Check the ingredients, allergen information and cross-contamination warnings on the exact pack. | If I’m avoiding an allergen, I want to be able to check both the ingredients and cross-contamination warnings. Around 36% of consumers make allergen avoidance their top purchasing priority. |
| Sulphites | Read the information about preservatives and sulphites; look out for E220 in particular. | When avoiding sulphites, I look beyond the type of fruit and check the preservatives. Around 29% of consumers make avoiding sulphites their top purchasing priority. |
| Added and total sugars | Compare the ingredients and the amount of sugar per 100 g; also take your own portion size into account. | If I want to limit added sugar, I also want to know how much total sugar I’ll eat in my portion. Around 21% of consumers make limiting added sugar their top purchasing priority. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the net weight, any portion information, best-before date and storage instructions. | For a snack that’s easy to take with me, the packaging and instructions make it easier to portion and store. Around 14% of consumers make portioning and storage convenience their top purchasing priority. |
Those claims don’t automatically tell you whether a product contains the allergen you want to avoid. For example, the PLUS apricots reviewed are labelled vegan and contain 0 g of added sugars, but they also list sulphites.
Check each substance you need to avoid separately against the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
The Jumbo apricots reviewed state that they may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. A warning can therefore be relevant even if you can’t see the allergen listed as an ingredient.
Read the ingredients and cross-contamination warning together before choosing a product to suit your needs.
A product with no added sugar may still contain naturally occurring sugars. For the Sultana Raisins reviewed, Jumbo lists 75,5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare nutritional information on the same basis and consider how much you’ll actually eat.
For the pitted apricots reviewed, Jumbo states that, on rare occasions, pieces of stone or stone fragments may still be present.
Bear the product-specific warning in mind when preparing your snack.
A useful place to look for individual dried fruits and fruit and nut mixes.
The product information for the raisins and apricots mentioned shows why you should check each type and variety of fruit.
Alesto is a relevant range for dried fruit, including mango strips.
The Dutch Trader Joe’s range includes dried fruit products such as raisins and sun-dried apricots.
The product information for PLUS Dried Apricots clearly shows the difference between information about sugar and sulphites.
The 1 de Beste own-brand range includes dried apricots, among other products.
These products are suitable for an afternoon dried-fruit snack. Check the ingredients, claims and portion information for each product to see what’s relevant to your choice.
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An option if you’re looking for individually portioned fruit snacks; the product information lists jackfruit as the only ingredient and states that there is no added sugar.
Pack size: 150 g, divided into 6 sachets of 25 g.
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The product description states that it contains none of the 14 major EU allergens. Check the current pack if you need to avoid a specific substance.
Pack size: 180 g. The product information recommends storing in a cool, dry place.
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An option if you’re looking for raisins in small portions; the product information lists raisins as the only ingredient and states that there is no added sugar or sulphites.
Pack size: 140 g in 14 g boxes. The product information states that they are suitable from 12 months; not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties. Supervise children while they eat.
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The product description states that it contains none of the 14 major EU allergens; that doesn’t automatically make it suitable for every other dietary requirement.
The product information lists sugar and a preservative. Pack size: 180 g.
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The product information suggests enjoying the dried strawberries as a snack or as a topping for yoghurt, cereal or desserts.
Pack size: 50 g. The product information states that the product contains sugar.
They mean you should consider information beyond the ingredients list when avoiding an allergen. The NVWA gives examples such as ‘May contain X’ and ‘Not suitable for people with an X allergy’. Read the warning on the pack for the exact variety.
No. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphite as causing an intolerance reaction, not an allergic reaction. If you need to avoid sulphites, check the preservatives and sulphite information on the pack.
No, this claim doesn’t tell you how much total sugar the product contains. Lidl states that the Alesto mango strips described contain naturally occurring sugars; for the Sultana Raisins reviewed, Jumbo lists 75,5 g of sugars per 100 g. Compare the nutritional information and consider your portion size.
No. According to HagaZiekenhuis, lactose-free refers to milk sugar, while a milk allergy involves milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check the information about milk and milk proteins on the pack.
For the raisins and apricots reviewed, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on your pack; instructions for one product don’t automatically apply to all dried fruit.
