A snack to take with you
If you don't want to weigh or decant your snack while you're out, individual boxes are a practical option. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list boxes of raisins at 14 grams per portion; also check how many boxes are in the pack.
Who are small portions handy for?
Comparing labels
If you pay attention to ingredients, sugars or allergens, it's best to check the information for the exact variant. AH raisins with apricot contain sulphites as an ingredient; Jumbo states that its boxes of raisins may contain certain nuts, milk and soya.
Portioning it yourself
A larger bag is worth considering if you want to choose the amount yourself or prepare several snacks. Follow the storage advice on the pack and allow time for portioning.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a small snack at a Dutch Christmas market, the main thing is whether you want ready-portioned snacks, prefer to portion them yourself or have a specific requirement for ingredients or allergens.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A proper snack portion | Check how many individual boxes there are and the weight of each one; a resealable bag isn't automatically portioned for you. | If you want to take a measured snack with you straight away, the convenience of individual portions matters most. Around 36% of consumers put convenience on the go first. |
| Ingredients and quantity | Read the ingredients and nutrition table, and decide how much you actually want to take. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than a handful of dried fruit. | If you're choosing carefully based on ingredients and portion size, you'll want to know what you're eating and how much. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Allergens in the specific variant | Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the exact pack; if buying loose, ask about allergen information before you buy. | If an allergen affects your choice, the information needs to apply to the specific variant. Around 21% of consumers put relevant allergen information first. |
| Making your own portions | Compare the quantity with what you need and follow the storage advice; allow for portioning and any leftovers. | If you want to choose the portion sizes yourself, a larger pack and a plan for storing the remainder are worth considering. Around 14% of consumers put portioning it themselves and comparing like-for-like quantities first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a resealable bag contains individual snack portions
Resealable doesn't mean the contents are already divided into individual portions. ALDI's cranberry and raisin mix is described as coming in a 200-gram resealable pack; the boxes listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo are individual portions.
Check how many inner packs there are and the weight of each portion, not just the total weight.
Portioning it yourself takes time and may require a suitable, tightly sealed food container.
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Assuming a fruit mix has the same allergen information as plain raisins
Ingredients vary by product. Albert Heijn lists sulphites as an ingredient in its raisin and apricot variant; Jumbo says its boxes of raisins may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the pack you plan to buy. If you have an allergen restriction, don't rely on the product name alone.
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Confusing no added sugar with sugar-free
The label for AH Hamsterchef Raisins says no added sugars, but lists 65 grams of sugars per 100 grams. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that dried fruit contains naturally occurring sugars.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and decide in advance how much you want to take.
Supermarket brands and relevant product ranges
Albert Heijn
Worth considering for small portions with AH Hamsterchef Raisins.
- Albert Heijn lists ten 14-gram portions for its plain raisin variant.
- The apricot variant has a different composition and contains sulphites as an ingredient.
Jumbo
Worth considering for sharing packs of Jumbo Sweet Raisin Boxes.
- Jumbo lists fourteen 14-gram boxes and names raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The product information says it may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Lidl
Worth considering if you'd like a different type of fruit, with Alesto mango strips.
- Lidl describes its mango strips as having no added sugar and states that they contain naturally occurring sugars.
- This range information doesn't give a portion size for individual snack packs.
ALDI
Worth considering if you want to portion it yourself or choose a resealable cranberry and raisin mix.
- ALDI lists Trader Joe's raisins in a 500-gram pack and a 200-gram cranberry and raisin mix in a resealable pack.
- The mix isn't the same as individually packed portions; check the ingredients of the variant you choose.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to make your own portions with PLUS Sultana Raisins.
- The stand-up pouch contains 375 grams; PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. The manufacturer warns that, despite checks, stalks and stones may still be present.
Dirk
Worth considering for larger packs of raisins from its own-brand 1 de Beste range.
- The product page lists 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins in a 375-gram pack.
- The bag isn't presented as a pack of individual snack portions.
Products to consider at Joybuy
These products are for anyone looking at dried fruit as a snack to take on the go, with options made from plums, hawthorn, mango and raisins. Check the ingredients and portion-pack information for each product.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90 g
An option if you'd rather take plums than raisins. The ingredients list includes sugar, salt and sweeteners; check that the ingredients suit your preferences.
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Be&Cheery Many kinds of hawthorn 160 g
The product name identifies it as hawthorn and gives the pack size as 160 grams. Check the ingredients and portion information on the pack before choosing.
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MUSHAN BASE Dried Mango 50 g
A mango snack to take with you; the product information says it is individually packed. The ingredients list includes sulphites, so check this if it's relevant to your choice.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic Raisins 12M+ 140 g
If you're looking for pre-portioned raisins, the product description lists ten 14-gram boxes. This variant is labelled as suitable from 12 months; supervise children while they eat, and don't give it to children with swallowing difficulties.
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Yan Jin Pu Zi Large Dried Mango Slices 160 g
A larger mango option to consider if you want to choose the amount yourself. The ingredients information includes sulphites, among other things; check the full ingredients list for this variant.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?
No. AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists no added sugars, but also contains 65 grams of sugars per 100 grams. Read both the ingredients and the nutrition table.
Does a snack portion to take with you have to be exactly 14 grams?
No. The 14-gram portion is the manufacturer's stated portion for the boxes listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo; it's not a legal limit or general dietary guideline. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than a handful of dried fruit.
What should I look for when checking allergens in dried fruit?
Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the exact pack. The AH apricot variant lists sulphites as an ingredient; Jumbo says its product may contain nuts, milk and soya, among other things. The NVWA states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
How should I store leftover raisins?
Always follow the advice on the pack first. PLUS recommends storing its Sultana Raisins in a cool, dry, dark place; if you've portioned them yourself, use a suitable, tightly sealed food container.