Who is this choice relevant to?

Households that plan ahead

You regularly divide dried fruit between lunches and want to choose a pack you’ll actually use. Jumbo sells sun-dried sultanas in 250, 500 and 750 g packs; ALDI sells sultanas in a 500 g pack.

If you want something ready to take with you

You want to grab a small portion without weighing it first. Albert Heijn lists AH Hamsterchef Rozijnen as ten individual boxes of 14 g each.

If you check the label carefully

You pay attention to the ingredients, sugars and allergen information for the exact product variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides information about dried fruit, while the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling on food.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want to portion it yourself or take ready-portioned servings with you. Then check the ingredients, quantity and storage instructions for the variant you choose.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this important for?
Portioning in advance Check the net weight and think about how many lunch portions you want to make. If you prepare portions for several lunches, you’ll want a quantity that suits how you use it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise portioning the contents for several occasions.
Ready to take with you Check the number of portions, the weight per portion and the total contents. If you want to grab a portion on the go without weighing it first, a fixed, individually packed serving is worth considering. Around 29% of consumers say that being able to take a portion straight away is their main consideration.
Ingredients and labelling Read the ingredients list and compare added sugars with the sugars value. If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging. If you want to assess the ingredients carefully, you’ll need information about the exact variant. Around 21% of consumers prioritise ingredients and label information.
Quantity and storage Choose a pack size that suits how often you take dried fruit with you, and follow the storage instructions on the label. If you don’t take dried fruit with you often, a smaller quantity may fit your routine better. Around 14% of consumers make suitable pack sizes and leftover stock their main consideration.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a larger pack is automatically the right choice

    A larger bag gives you more to portion and store yourself, but it’s only a good fit if you’ll use the contents. Jumbo sells these sultanas in 250, 500 and 750 g sizes.

    Choose a net weight that suits the number of lunches you’re preparing portions for, and follow the product’s storage advice.

    A larger pack means portioning it yourself and storing what’s left.

  • Assuming no added sugars means low in sugars

    AH Hamsterchef Rozijnen lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of sugars per 100 g. As Albert Heijn’s product information explains, these figures describe different things.

    Read both the ingredients list and the nutrition table, and decide whether the portion size suits your lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping portions of dried fruit with no added sugar small.

  • Treating a fruit mix like plain sultanas

    A mix and a pack containing only sultanas have different ingredients. Ingredients and relevant allergens can also vary between product variants.

    Choose the type of product you want first, then check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory declaration of 14 allergens.

  • Applying the same storage period to all dried fruit

    Storage advice can vary by product. PLUS advises storing its Sultana rozijnen in a cool, dry, dark place; advice for dried fruit medley does not automatically apply to these sultanas.

    Follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging and seal it carefully after use, if the packaging allows.

Relevant brands and product ranges

The product ranges below come in different types of packaging. Check the information on the pack for the variant you choose.

Albert Heijn

AH Hamsterchef Rozijnen comes in individual portion boxes, making it a convenient choice if you want to take a serving with you straight away.

  • The product information lists ten 14 g boxes, weighing 140 g in total.
  • The portions are a fixed size, so check whether they’re right for the amount you want to take with you.

Jumbo

Sun-dried sultanas are available in several pack sizes.

  • The product range reviewed includes 250, 500 and 750 g packs.
  • The ingredients list for the 750 g variant includes cottonseed oil as well as sultanas.

Lidl

Belbake Rozijnen is a Lidl product range.

  • Check the pack size and ingredients on the packaging of the variant you’re considering.

ALDI

ALDI sells TRADER JOE'S Rozijnen in a 500 g pack and also lists a separate fruit mix.

  • The product information for the 200 g mix says it comes in resealable packaging.
  • The resealable packaging applies to that mix; don’t assume the bag of plain sultanas has the same feature.

PLUS

PLUS Sultana rozijnen is sold in a 375 g stand-up pouch.

  • The ingredients list includes sultanas and sunflower oil; the storage instructions say to keep it in a cool, dry, dark place.
  • PLUS warns that, despite checks, small stalks and stones may still be present.

Dirk

1 de Beste Rozijnen sultana is a 375 g product from Dirk’s own-brand range.

  • The product page confirms the product name and pack size.
  • If ingredients or nutritional values are important to your choice, check the information on the packaging.

Joybuy products

This selection features mixes of dried fruit and nuts for anyone looking for variety; these are not packs containing dried fruit alone.

Full of fruit flavor sharing pack with nuts and dried fruit, 5-pack, 1.073 kg

Full of fruit flavor sharing pack with nuts and dried fruit, 5-pack, 1.073 kg

A good option if you want to take a variety of snacks with you, but the pack does not contain dried fruit alone.

The product name lists a 5-pack with a total contents weight of 1.073 kg.

Contains tree nuts; the prunes contain aspartame (E951), a source of phenylalanine. Refrigerate after opening and consume within one day.

View at Joybuy
g'woon cashew and cranberry mix, 200 g

g'woon cashew and cranberry mix, 200 g

May suit you if you’re looking for a smaller mix to add some variety; it contains nuts as well as dried fruit.

The product description lists 50% cashew nuts and 50% sweetened dried cranberries.

Contains cashew nuts and may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts. The cranberries contain sugar.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean you can eat as much as you like?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit with no added sugar, as dried fruit contains a lot of sugar. This is nutritional advice, not a legal portion limit; if you like, divide a larger pack into smaller portions.

How should you store an opened pack of dried fruit?

Follow the advice for the specific variant. PLUS says to store its Sultana rozijnen in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping opened dried fruit medley in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months; this period does not automatically apply to sultanas, mixes or other dried fruit.

What allergen information must appear on packaging in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be declared, usually in the ingredients list. If you have a relevant allergy, check the current packaging and any warnings; the product name alone does not confirm whether a variant is suitable for you.

What should you do if there’s a product issue or safety warning?

Check exactly which variant the warning refers to and follow the relevant instructions. For a safety warning, consult the information from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority; a notice about a different product does not apply to all sultanas from the same shop.