Households sharing supplies
If you regularly eat dried fruit with other people, compare the weight per bag and the number of individual packs. Albert Heijn multipacks contain several separate bags in one bundle.
Who is this relevant to?
Occasional late-night snackers
If you snack late from time to time, check how much is in each pack and how to store it once opened. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides specific storage advice for raisins.
Consumers checking ingredients
Compare the ingredients for the exact fruit and product variant. If you have a relevant allergy or sensitivity, the allergen information on the pack is also important. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are shown in ingredient lists.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a late-night snack, it helps to consider portion size, the amount in each bag and the ingredients separately.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Set a portion aside | Put the amount you want in a separate bowl rather than eating straight from a larger bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of unsweetened dried fruit. | If I want to keep my late-night snack separate from the rest of the pack, I set a portion aside in advance. Around 33% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Amount per pack | Check the weight per bag and how many individual bags there are. Albert Heijn multipacks contain 500 g bags; these are larger packs for stocking up, not small snack portions. | If you don't want to open everything at once, check the weight per bag and the number of packs. For around 25% of consumers, choosing a pack size that suits how they use it is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant. The PLUS Sultana raisins reviewed list sunflower oil; Jumbo lists sulphites in the apricot variant described. | If I have a relevant allergy or want to avoid certain ingredients, I check the label on that exact pack. Around 25% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
| Type of fruit and variety | Choose the type of fruit first, then check the ingredients. The Jumbo cranberry and apricot variants reviewed have different ingredients. | If I want to switch between different types of fruit, I compare the variants individually rather than treating them as the same product. Around 17% of consumers prioritise variety. |
Common pitfalls
-
Reading ‘no added sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
The PLUS Sultana raisins are listed as containing 0 g of added sugar, while the nutritional information states 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. These are different figures; the product listing is from PLUS.
Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g for the variant you are buying.
-
Applying storage advice for one type of fruit to all the others
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides storage guidance for raisins. This does not automatically apply to other types of dried fruit; Jumbo gives separate instructions for its own cranberry variant once opened.
Follow the storage and use instructions on the pack for the type of fruit and variant you have chosen.
-
Treating ‘stone-free’ as an absolute guarantee
For the apricot variant described, Jumbo warns that a piece of stone or stone fragment may occasionally be present.
Bear the warning on the pack in mind and look out for hard fragments while eating.
Brands and product ranges to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists sun-dried raisins in individual bags as well as multipacks containing separate bags.
- The multipacks contain individual 500 g bags; a single 750 g bag is also available.
- The ingredients listed apply to the specified raisin variant and not automatically to other dried fruit.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Sultana raisins in 250, 500 and 750 g packs, alongside other types of dried fruit.
- The different pack sizes let you compare the quantity in each variant.
- The variants mentioned have different ingredients: the 750 g Sultana raisins list cottonseed oil, the cranberries list sugar and the apricots list sulphites.
Lidl
Lidl lists dried fruit and a dried fruit mix.
- The product listing makes this retailer worth considering if you also want to look at a mix.
- The listing says the product is available in selected stores.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe's raisins in a 500 g pack.
- This gives you a specific pack size to compare with other bags.
- The information relates to this pack of raisins and does not, in itself, tell you anything about other dried fruit products.
PLUS
PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- The product information lists raisins and sunflower oil, with 0 g of added sugar.
- The description ‘stand-up pouch’ does not, by itself, confirm that the pack can be resealed after opening.
Dirk
Dirk lists raisins in a 750 g pack.
- This pack is an option to compare with other larger bags.
- Dirk does not list a delivery service, so bear this in mind if you want your shopping delivered to your home.
Products at Joybuy
The options below range from a snack mix with dried fruit and nuts to individual packs of dried apricots and strawberries.
No image available
Snack mix with dried fruit and nuts, 5-pack, 1,073 kg
Suited to anyone looking for several types of snack in one pack; the bundle is not made up entirely of dried fruit.
The product information lists tree nuts. The prune component contains aspartame (E951).
No image available
Be&Cheery Dried Red Apricots 300g
An individual pack of dried apricots for anyone looking for this type of fruit in its own bag.
The product information lists apricot, sugar, malt syrup and sulphites (E223).
No image available
MUSHAN BASE Dried Strawberry Slices 50g
A small pack of dried strawberry slices for anyone looking for a limited amount.
The ingredients information lists strawberries and sugar. According to the product description, the pack can be closed after opening.
No image available
Three Squirrels Red Apricot Dried, 250g
An individual pack of dried apricots for anyone looking for a separate bag.
The product information lists sulphites and advises eating the apricots immediately after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Is dried fruit with no added sugar sugar-free?
No. 0 g of added sugar does not automatically mean a product is sugar-free. PLUS also lists 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g for its Sultana raisins, so check both figures in the product information.
How much dried fruit should you have as a snack?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of unsweetened dried fruit. A portion size listed by a retailer on a product page is not automatically the same as general dietary advice.
Can I use the storage advice for raisins for cranberries too?
Not automatically: storage advice can vary by type of fruit and product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives specific guidance for raisins; for cranberries and other types, follow the instructions on the individual pack.
Does ‘stone-free’ mean there will never be stone fragments in apricots?
No. For the Jumbo apricots described, Jumbo warns that a piece of stone or stone fragment may occasionally be present. Bear the warning on the pack in mind.
How should I store the rest of a multipack?
Keep unopened individual bags sealed and follow the instructions for that exact product once opened. For raisins, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place and sealing the pack well; this storage guidance does not automatically apply to other types of fruit.