Start by choosing dried fruit based on the specific ingredient you need to avoid: compare the ingredients, relevant free-from statements and warnings on the packaging. Then check both added and total sugars, stones and storage after opening. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit per day as a general guideline. Gluten-free or lactose-free does not automatically mean suitable for other allergies.
You’re looking for a small late-night snack, but need to avoid something such as gluten, lactose, milk, nuts or peanuts. Check the information for the specific ingredient you need to avoid; a general claim that a product is allergen-free isn’t enough. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label.
You want to choose dried fruit based on its sulphite content and distinguish between E220–E228, unsulphured fruit and other preservatives. The ingredients for the exact variety matter more than the type of fruit or the supermarket name alone. Stichting Voedselallergie describes sulphite as a preservative identified, among other ways, by E220–E228.
You want something to eat late in the day without much preparation, and you’re keeping an eye on added sugar, portion size, stones and storage after opening. Compare the information for the specific pack and follow its storage instructions.
Start with the ingredient you need to avoid, then check the sugar, portion size and ease of use. The percentages indicate which of these purchasing concerns carries the most weight in the choice described.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and free-from statements | Compare the specific ingredient with the ingredients list and warnings on the packaging; lactose-free does not address a milk allergy. | If you need to avoid gluten, milk, lactose, nuts or peanuts, you’ll want to assess information about that specific ingredient. Around 33% of consumers put this targeted allergen or dietary check first. |
| Sulphites and preservatives | Check the ingredients for sulphites and E220–E228; separately check whether other preservatives matter to you. | If avoiding sulphites is your main criterion, look beyond the type of fruit alone. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Sugars and portion size | Compare added and total sugars separately, per 100 grams, and weigh out your portion. | If you’re mainly looking for a small snack and keeping an eye on both added and total sugars, this comparison is key. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this choice of sugar content and portion size. |
| Stones and storage | Check whether the fruit contains stones, whether there’s a stone warning and what storage instructions apply to that variety. | If you want to keep preparation to a minimum and store an opened pack properly, stones and clear instructions matter. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
The percentages are not based on a measured market breakdown. They provide a general indication for consumers weighing up the primary purchasing concerns listed here.
Gluten-free and lactose-free address specific concerns. A milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins and is not the same as lactose intolerance.
Make the ingredient you need to avoid your priority, and also read the ingredients list and relevant warnings on the packaging.
PLUS Dried Apricots has a vegan claim, but the ingredients information also lists E220 and sulphites.
Check separately for sulphites and E220–E228 if you want to avoid these substances; don’t rely on a vegan claim alone.
The AH pages list 0 grams of added sugar for the date varieties mentioned, but also 60 grams of total sugar per 100 grams for AH Medjoul dates and 68 grams for AH Dates. These figures apply to those specific varieties.
Read both figures separately and take your portion size into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit per day as a general guideline.
Albert Heijn lists AH Unsulphured Apricots as discontinued; Jumbo lists its organic dried apricots as no longer available in its online range.
Check any replacement variety again for ingredients, dietary statements and warnings; don’t assume information for a different variety applies.
Information on two date varieties can help you check for specific gluten-free and lactose-free requirements.
Jumbo Dried Apricots Without Stones 250 g is a variety to assess based on its ingredients and allergen information.
Alesto is a range of nuts and dried fruit; Lidl offers dried tropical fruit in various varieties.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
PLUS Dried Apricots 375 g has published information about its ingredients, allergens and storage.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Apricots in a 375 g pack; 1 de Beste is Dirk’s own brand.
These Joybuy products are options if you’re looking for dried fruit as a small snack. Compare the listed ingredients, packaging and preparation instructions, and check the packaging information for your specific needs before eating.
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An option if you’re looking for red dates that, according to the product information, are pitted and ready to eat.
The ingredients list names 100% red dates. The pack contains six bags.
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This small pack is an option if you’re looking for freeze-dried jackfruit as a snack.
The product information lists jackfruit (100%) as the ingredient and states that no sugar or preservatives have been added.
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This larger pack is an option if you want to keep dried dates on hand as a snack.
The listed ingredients are 100% dried dates. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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An option if you’re looking for dried guava as a ready-to-eat fruit snack.
The ingredients list names guava, sugar and a preservative. Check the full ingredients and allergen information before choosing.
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This pack is an option if you’re looking for dried strawberry slices as a snack.
The ingredients list names strawberries and sugar. Check the packaging if added sugar is one of your selection criteria.
No. A milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins; lactose intolerance is about digesting milk sugar. If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and relevant warnings, even if the product is labelled lactose-free.
They warn of a possible risk from the allergen named. According to the NVWA, rules in the Netherlands from 1 January 2026 require such a warning to be based on a risk analysis. The absence of a warning is not a general guarantee that all allergens are completely absent.
No. The AH date pages list 50 grams as the manufacturer’s portion size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit per day as a general guideline; this is not specific advice for a midnight snack.
No, follow the instructions for the exact variety. AH Dates says to refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7°C. PLUS Dried Apricots says to store in a cool, dry, dark place.
Use the information on the packaging before eating the product. Ingredients, nutritional values and dietary or allergen information can change. Ask customer services for clarification if the difference affects what you need to avoid.
