Regular stock-up shoppers
If you use the same raisins regularly, compare the pack size and price per kilo of the exact product with how much you get through. Jumbo lists several pack sizes in its sultana range included in this review.
Who is this guide for?
Mindful snack planners
If you pay attention to ingredients, portions or personal sensitivities, check the information on the exact pack. Albert Heijn provides nutritional information for the raisin product included in this review; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides separate dietary guidance on dried fruit.
Light users and variety seekers
If you use dried fruit less often or like to switch things up, a smaller pack may fit your stock-planning needs better. Product information from PLUS and ALDI gives examples of raisins in a bag and a smaller fruit mix respectively; check the seal and ingredients of the product you choose.
What should you look for when buying?
Start by considering how much you use and which type of fruit you want, then compare the pack size, price per kilo and product information for the specific pack. Only buy a larger quantity if it suits your usage and storage routine.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Price per kilo | Compare the same type and format by net weight and price per kilo. Also consider whether you’ll actually use the larger quantity. | If I mainly want to shop economically, I compare the specific packs and look beyond the price of the bag. Around 33% of consumers prioritise price per kilo above all else. |
| Ingredients and portions | Check the ingredients and nutritional information separately; also check the allergen information for the exact product. | If I want to take ingredients, portions and any personal sensitivities into account, I need to be able to check the product information before buying. Around 27% of consumers prioritise ingredients above all else. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose a net weight that suits how much you use, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. Don’t automatically apply information for one type of fruit to another. | If my usage is slow or varies, I want to avoid opening more stock than fits my routine. Around 27% of consumers choose mainly based on a suitable stock quantity. |
| Seal and variety | Check whether the specific pack is resealable and which ingredients are in the fruit mix you’ve chosen. | If I like variety or want to reseal a pack, that matters more to me than getting the largest size. Around 13% of consumers prioritise convenience and variety above all else. |
Pitfalls to avoid when choosing
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Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
The AH Sun-Dried Raisins included in this review contain 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. These two figures do not mean the same thing (Albert Heijn).
Read the ingredients list alongside the nutrition table. A serving size listed by a manufacturer is not automatically dietary advice.
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Assuming the biggest bag is always the best value
A lower price per kilo doesn’t tell you whether the extra quantity suits your usage. Comparing the unit price alone leaves your stock planning out of the picture.
Compare the same format by price per kilo, then choose the quantity your household is likely to use.
A larger pack also means buying and storing more stock in one go.
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Assuming a stand-up pouch is resealable
PLUS describes the pack included in this review as a stand-up pouch, while ALDI explicitly describes a 200 g product range as resealable. These descriptions are not interchangeable.
Check the seal on the pack you choose and follow its storage instructions.
If the pack doesn’t reseal, you may need a separate storage container.
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Assuming raisins never contain a stalk or stone
Product information for the Jumbo and PLUS varieties included in this review warns that such remnants may still be present despite checks.
Bear this warning in mind when serving raisins as a snack or using them in a dish.
Brands and retailers to compare
Albert Heijn
The own-brand AH Sun-Dried Raisins product included in this review contains 750 g and is intended to be eaten as it is or used in dishes (Albert Heijn).
- The product information lists ingredients and nutritional values, including added and total sugars (Albert Heijn).
- The serving size listed by the manufacturer is not dietary advice; these product details don’t automatically apply to the entire range.
Jumbo
For its sun-dried sultana raisin range included in this review, Jumbo lists 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs (Jumbo).
- For the 500 g and 750 g varieties included in this review, the ingredients list names raisins and cottonseed oil (Jumbo).
- Compare the pack size and price per kilo of the exact product; differences between pack sizes don’t prove that larger bags from other ranges are better value.
Lidl
Lidl lists dried fruit as an offer available in selected stores (Lidl Netherlands).
- This listing may be useful if you’re looking for dried fruit locally.
- The product listing applies to selected stores and doesn’t confirm availability in every shop.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack, as well as a separate product range of fruit varieties in a resealable 200 g pack (ALDI Netherlands).
- The options suit different stock needs: a bag of raisins or a smaller fruit mix.
- Check the ingredients of the mix you choose; the product range also includes a cashew option. ALDI is the retailer and TRADER JOE'S is the product brand named.
PLUS
PLUS lists Sultana Raisins in a 375 g pack (PLUS).
- The product information lists raisins and sunflower oil, and advises storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t necessarily mean that the pack is resealable.
Dirk
Dirk’s product list includes, among other things, a listing for 750 g of raisins and several 1 de Beste dried fruit products (Dirk).
- The list offers examples of different fruit types and pack sizes to compare.
- Features of one product listing don’t automatically apply to all Dirk options.
Dried fruit and fruity snacks at Joybuy
This selection includes dried fruit and mixed fruity snacks. Check the ingredients, pack size and storage instructions for each product; some options also contain nuts or other ingredients.
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Sihong grey dates with walnut, 208 g
A smaller pack for anyone looking to pair dates with nuts; this isn’t a pack of dried fruit alone.
The listed ingredients are grey dates and walnut kernels. Contains walnuts.
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Bestore dried loquat with bamboo salt, 200 g
The 200 g pack may suit a smaller stock-up, but check the ingredients if you’re looking for a simple pack of fruit.
The product information lists at least 70% loquat fruit, sugar and sulphites. The stated nutritional value is 66.2 g of sugars per 100 g; preservatives are also listed among the ingredients.
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Full of Fruit Flavor nuts and dried fruit pack, 5-pack, 1.073 kg
A mixed selection of snacks; choose this pack only if you’re looking for other types of snacks as well as fruit.
The description lists five products with a total net weight of 1.073 kg, including plums, dates, banana chips and nuts. Contains tree nuts; the plums contain aspartame. According to the product information, the pack should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within one day.
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Bestore assorted hawthorn snacks, 500 g, 25 small bags
The individual bags may suit you if you want to store portions separately; the product description is for hawthorn snacks, not a simple bag of dried fruit.
The pack contains 500 g divided into 25 small bags. The product information lists four varieties, with 46–51% hawthorn depending on the variety. The ingredients list sugar and maltose; the nutritional information lists 85 g of sugars per 100 g. According to the product information, an opened pack should be consumed immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how much dried fruit to stock up on?
Start with how much your household uses, not the biggest bag. Divide the net weight in grams by your estimated weekly usage to plan your stock. This isn’t a guarantee of shelf life; compare your plan with the storage instructions on the pack.
Is the serving size on the pack also the recommended daily amount?
Not necessarily. For the raisins included in this review, Albert Heijn lists a serving size of 25 g, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. The manufacturer’s serving size is product information; the Nutrition Centre’s guidance is not a legal limit on what you can buy.
Should I store dried fruit in the fridge after opening?
Follow the instructions for the product you buy. For the sultana raisins included in this review, PLUS advises storing them in a cool, dry and dark place. For mixed dried fruit, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says to store it in a well-sealed container; this isn’t a universal refrigeration rule or storage period for all types of dried fruit.
What should I check if I’m sensitive to sulphites or other allergens?
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, not just the name of the fruit. The Food Allergy Foundation lists dried fruit as a possible source of sulphites. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens designated by law must be listed in the ingredients.
Do the same considerations apply if I sell snacks to customers from a chemist?
Selling to customers is different from planning household supplies. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that businesses handling food must register their food business. Get advice on which requirements apply to your specific business activities before using these household shopping tips as business guidance.