Start by checking what you actually need to avoid: read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant, and check for sulphites separately if you need to avoid them. Then look at the sugar content and decide on your portion in advance. A natural or unsweetened appearance doesn’t automatically mean a product is suitable for your diet.
You’re looking for a sweet evening snack without a specific allergen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires allergen information to appear on the label of pre-packed products. Also check for warnings about possible cross-contamination.
You want to know whether dried fruit contains sulphites. The Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a preservative and a reaction to them as an intolerance, rather than an allergic reaction.
You’re looking for something sweet late in the evening and want to consider both added sugar and how much you eat. Fruit naturally contains sugar, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Start with the ingredient or warning that matters most to you. Then check the sugar information, portion size and storage instructions for the product variant you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant; assess any cross-contamination warning separately. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to check the ingredients and warnings for that particular product. Around 36% of consumers put allergen avoidance first. |
| Sulphites | Check for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and E220–E228. | If I’m sensitive to sulphites, I want to check the preservatives specifically, without overlooking other allergens. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding sulphites top priority. |
| Sugar | Read the ingredients and check the nutrition table, including the ‘of which sugars’ figure. | If I want a sweet snack without extra sugar, I check both the ingredients and the nutritional information. Around 21% of consumers put avoiding added sugar first. |
| Portion and storage | Decide in advance how much you’ll have and follow the storage instructions for the exact product variant. | If I want a small portion in the evening and plan to keep the rest, I check the portion packaging and storage advice. Around 14% of consumers prioritise portion size and storage. |
What matters is your specific allergen and the information provided for the individual product.
Before choosing a product variant, read the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging.
Sulphites can be added to foods as a preservative. The Food Allergy Foundation lists E220–E228 as sulphite compounds.
If you’re sensitive to sulphites, check the ingredients and preservatives separately; don’t rely on the type or appearance of the fruit alone.
Fruit naturally contains sugar. The World Cancer Research Fund also states that dried fruit contains more sugar per 100 g than fresh fruit.
Read both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and decide how much you want to have.
Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend reading the packaging, as ingredients and allergen information can change.
Even when buying a product again, check the packaging you receive before eating the snack.
The range includes individual dried fruit products and fruit-and-nut mixes. The official category features unsweetened dried pineapple, as well as mixes with cashews or almonds.
Jumbo lists dried mango in a 125 g pack.
Lidl lists dried tropical fruit in different 200 g variants, available in store.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Sun-dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
The dried fruit category includes pitted apricots, dried figs, prunes and dates.
This selection of Joybuy products includes ready-to-eat dried fruit snacks, with differences in fruit type, ingredients and portion packaging.
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An option if you’re looking for jackfruit with no added sugar; the product description lists jackfruit as the only ingredient.
The pack contains six individual 25 g sachets. The product description doesn’t list any allergens; check the packaging for information about your specific allergen.
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An option if you’re looking for a sachet of jackfruit with no added sugar; the product description lists jackfruit as the only ingredient.
The pack contains 25 g. The product description doesn’t list any allergens; check the packaging for information about your specific allergen.
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An option if you’re looking for dried guava and want to take the sugar in the ingredients into account.
The product description lists guava (95%), sugar and a preservative. According to the description, the product contains none of the 14 major EU allergens; check the current packaging and any warnings for information about your specific allergen.
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An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat dried strawberry snack.
The product description lists dried strawberries and sugar as ingredients. Check the current packaging for the full ingredients and allergen information.
Allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed food. The NVWA lists 14 allergen categories that must be declared by law, including nuts, peanuts, milk, cereals containing gluten and sulphites. Check which information applies to the exact product variant.
Since 1 January 2026, new rules have applied in the Netherlands on how and when businesses warn about allergens that may accidentally get into food. The NVWA describes these precautionary warnings as precautionary allergen labelling, also known as PAL; they aren’t a general statement that a product is suitable for everyone.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dried apricots in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Also follow the instructions on the packaging for the exact product variant; don’t assume this advice automatically applies to soaked or differently prepared products.
Ask the retailer for information about the exact product variant, and check the packaging you receive too. Albert Heijn and PLUS direct customers to their customer or consumer service teams; Lidl recommends contacting its quality department with questions.
Consult the NVWA’s official overview and read the relevant warning to find out which product it applies to. A general list of warnings doesn’t confirm that the packaging you have is safe.
