Start by choosing dried fruit based on the specific ingredient you need to avoid. Check the ingredients and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging. If you are sensitive to sulphites, ‘unsulphured’ is a useful search term, but it does not prove that a product is free from all allergens. Consider added sugar and portion size separately from allergens.
If you take dried fruit to the office and need to avoid a specific allergen, check the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging. The NVWA and Voedingscentrum explain how to interpret these warnings.
If sulphites are your main concern, ‘unsulphured’ can help you narrow down your search. This product description does not tell you whether the product contains other allergens or is suitable for you overall.
If you’re mainly looking for a small fruit snack to take to the office, check the portion size, ingredients and storage instructions. Dietary choices are a separate consideration and do not replace checking for allergens.
First, check for the substance you need to avoid and read the information on the current packaging. Then consider separately whether the ingredients, portion size and packaging suit your lunch routine.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Your specific allergen | Read the ingredients and any warning about possible cross-contamination. The Voedingscentrum’s guidance on the legal allergen list covers the 14 specified allergens; it does not automatically apply if you are allergic to another type of fruit. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen, I want to check both intentionally added ingredients and possible cross-contamination. Around 36% of consumers prioritise suitability for a specific allergen. |
| Sulphites and ‘unsulphured’ | Check the current ingredients list for sulphites and codes E220–E228. Treat ‘unsulphured’ as a specific product description, not proof that the product is free from all allergens. | If sulphites are my main concern, I want to search specifically and check the ingredients on the packaging. Around 29% of consumers make avoiding sulphites their top priority. |
| Added sugar and portion size | Check the ingredients for sugar and consider how much you’ll take with you. The Voedingscentrum recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is dietary guidance, not a legal limit on what you can buy. | If I’m mainly focused on my dietary choices, I want to assess added sugar separately from allergens and choose my own portion size. Around 21% of consumers prioritise dietary choices. |
| Taking it with you and storing it | Compare pack sizes and follow the storage instructions for that specific product. Jumbo lists sultanas in different pack sizes; Albert Heijn says its raisin and apricot mix should be stored in a cool, dry place. | For my lunchbox, a handy pack size and clear storage instructions matter once I’ve checked my dietary requirements. Around 14% of consumers prioritise convenience at the office. |
‘Unsulphured’ and ‘stoneless’ describe a specific product feature. They don’t tell you whether a product is suitable if you have another allergy, or whether cross-contamination has been ruled out.
For your specific dietary requirement, check the ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging.
The Voedingscentrum’s recommendation to eat no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day relates to quantity, not to whether a product contains an allergen.
First check that the product meets your essential dietary requirements, then look separately at the ingredients and portion size.
Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend checking the packaging, as product and allergen information can change.
Read the current packaging every time you buy the product, even if you’ve bought it before.
Product listings offer useful search options, such as unsulphured apricots and a mix of raisins and apricot pieces.
The range includes raisins, apricots, prunes, cranberries and dates, among other products.
A listing for dried fruit mix is a useful search option if you’re considering a mixed fruit snack.
ALDI Netherlands lists 250 g packs of sun-dried apricots and 500 g packs of raisins under the TRADER JOE'S name.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch, a handy size if you like to portion them out yourself.
The range includes pitted apricots, pitted prunes and dried figs, among other products.
These products are options for a dried fruit snack. Their product information does not automatically mean they are suitable if you have an allergy or sulphite sensitivity, or if you prefer products with no added sugar. Check the current product information to be sure.
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An option if you’re looking for dried guava as a snack; the listed ingredients are guava (95%), sugar and preservative.
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An option if you’re looking for dried strawberry slices; the listed ingredients are dried strawberries and sugar.
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An option if you’re looking for raisins as a fruit snack; the listed ingredients are 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil.
The product information says to store in a cool, dry place and reseal the pack securely after opening.
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This mix combines dried fruit and nuts, so it is not made exclusively from dried fruit. The product information gives a serving size of 25 g.
The listed ingredients include walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts. Check the current product information if you need to avoid nuts.
It’s a warning about possible cross-contamination, not an ingredient that has been deliberately added. The NVWA explains that these warnings relate to the possible unintended presence of an allergen. Check the wording on the current packaging.
Not automatically. According to the Voedingscentrum, this guidance relates to the 14 allergens on the EU list; you can’t necessarily apply it to an allergy to another type of fruit.
Stichting Voedselallergie describes a reaction to sulphites as an intolerance reaction, rather than an allergic reaction. Sulphites may be added as preservatives under codes E220–E228 and are found in products including dried fruit.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you have. For the AH Hamsterchef raisin and apricot piece mix, Albert Heijn says to store it in a cool, dry place; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other products.
First, contact the seller to discuss a solution. According to the Dutch government, the seller must provide a product that is in good condition and cannot simply refer you to the manufacturer; a refund is not automatically the first step in every situation.
