First decide which specific ingredient you want to avoid, then check the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. A general ‘free from’ description is no substitute for checking these details. If you’re buying a loose portion at a Christmas market, ask about allergen information before you buy and also consider how the stall prepares, sells and stores its food.
You’re looking for a Christmas market snack whose information you can check against your specific dietary needs. The ingredients, allergen information and possible cross-contamination matter more than a general ‘free from’ description. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains what allergen information must appear on the labels of prepacked products.
You want to check dried fruit for sulphite information, rather than relying only on other allergen information. The Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as substances that can be added to foods as preservatives.
You want to know what information is available when fruit is sold outside its original packaging. The NVWA explains both what allergen information must be available before purchase and why food must be prepared, sold and stored hygienically at markets and events.
A good fit if: you want to read the ingredients and allergen information yourself before buying.
Bear in mind: the packaging or product name doesn’t automatically prove that a product meets your specific dietary needs. Check any information about possible cross-contamination too.
A good fit if: you want a loose portion and the stall makes allergen information available before you buy.
Bear in mind: ask for the information and consider how the stall prepares, sells and stores its food.
The percentages show which purchase priority consumers put first when choosing dried fruit at a Dutch Christmas market.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this more relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergen or gluten | Identify the ingredient you avoid; check the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warning. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen or gluten, I want to be able to check the information for that exact need. Around 36% of consumers put this first when buying. |
| Sulphites | Check for sulphites separately; for preservatives, look out for E220–E228 too. | If I need to avoid sulphites, I don’t want to treat a different ‘free from’ claim as an answer to that. Around 29% of consumers put avoiding sulphites first. |
| Loose portions | Ask about allergen information before buying; when food is sold, also consider how it is prepared, sold and stored. | If I want to buy a loose portion at a Christmas market, I want to be able to ask for the information before choosing. Around 21% of consumers give top priority to information and how loose portions are handled. |
| Added sugar and portion size | Check the ingredients for added ingredients and decide separately how much you want to eat or serve. | If I’m keeping an eye on added ingredients and quantity, I want to consider that separately from checking allergens. Around 14% of consumers put this first. |
A gluten-free claim relates to gluten; it isn’t a general statement that a product is free from allergens. An organic product name or a description of the type of fruit doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether it is suitable if you need to avoid other allergens.
Allergen information or a gluten-free claim relates to specific details and doesn’t prove that a product meets every dietary need.
Work out what you need to avoid and check the information for that ingredient, including any warnings about cross-contamination.
Sulphites are a separate consideration with dried fruit and may be added as preservatives.
Check sulphite information separately and look out for E220–E228 in the preservatives.
A small amount is no substitute for allergen information before you buy. The NVWA also says food sold at markets and events must be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically.
Ask about allergen information before buying. If you’re selling the food yourself, consider both how the information is provided and how the stall operates.
Portioning food yourself also takes time and resources to keep information available and maintain good hygiene.
Advice on portion size answers a different question from whether a food contains allergens.
First check whether the product information meets your dietary needs; then decide separately how much you want to eat or serve.
The range includes items such as raisins and fruit and nut mixes. Albert Heijn, for example, lists AH Organic Sultana Raisins 2-pack.
The Dutch range includes items such as raisins, apricots, prunes and dates, in various pack sizes.
Lidl presents Alesto as a range of dried fruit, nuts and party snacks; the Dutch range page lists dried mango strips.
The Dutch product information lists Trader Joe’s sun-dried apricots, 250 g.
PLUS lists dried apricots in a stand-up pouch, 375 g.
The Dutch search page for raisins lists items including sultanas, golden raisins, currants, pitted prunes and apricots.
These Joybuy products are packaged dried fruit snacks. Before buying, check the current packaging for information relevant to your specific needs; the product name alone doesn’t confirm that it is suitable if you need to avoid an allergen, gluten or sulphites.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for freeze-dried jackfruit; check the packaging for information relevant to your dietary needs.
Pack size: 150 g (25 g × 6).
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An option to consider if you’re looking for a small pack of freeze-dried jackfruit; check the current product information against your specific dietary needs.
Pack size: 25 g.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for dried guava; check the ingredients and allergen information against your specific needs.
Pack size: 180 g.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for dried strawberry slices; check the current product information before choosing them for a specific dietary need.
Pack size: 50 g.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for sultanas; check the ingredients and allergen information against your specific dietary needs.
Pack size: 250 g.
Yes. The NVWA says allergen information for unpackaged products must be available before purchase. This can be provided in writing or verbally, for example. If it is given verbally, there must be a notice telling customers they can ask for it.
No. The European Commission sets out the conditions for claims about gluten. Check any other allergens that are relevant to you separately.
No. The Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a possible cause of an intolerance reaction, rather than a true food allergy. Sulphite information still matters if you need to avoid sulphites; consider this separately from other ‘free from’ claims.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide gives general advice to keep opened raisins in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Don’t automatically apply this to other dried fruits or homemade mixes, and always follow the product information too.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is general dietary advice, not a legal maximum portion for sale at a Christmas market and not proof that a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
