Easy to share
You want to put out individual portions for drinks and perhaps take unopened boxes with you in a lunchbox. So compare the number of individually packed portions and the amount in each box.
Who are these multipacks for?
Choosing a portion carefully
You want to know in advance how much dried fruit you’re serving, so check the portion size, ingredients and allergens for the exact product variant.
A little variety on the table
You’d like to offer apple or apricot alongside plain raisins. For fruit mixes, check the ingredients and make sure the variant is suitable for those eating it.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the number of boxes and the amount per portion. Then check the ingredients for your chosen variant and think about how you’ll store any unopened portions left over.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the individual packs and compare the portion size: Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 g; Albert Heijn lists 10 boxes of 14 g for the Hamsterchef variants we looked at. | If you want to put boxes out for drinks and take unopened portions with you, the number in each pack matters. Around 39% of consumers prioritise sharing and taking portions with them. |
| Ingredients and quantity | Read the label for the exact variant. The AH mixes we looked at list sulphites; Jumbo warns that the product may contain, among other things, nuts, milk and soya. | If you’re taking into account ingredients that people eating the food want or need to avoid, check each variant separately. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portion size. |
| Fruit variety | Compare plain raisins with the specific fruit mix and check which types of fruit are listed on the label. The AH mixes we looked at contain apple or apricot as well as raisins. | A mix can be appealing if you want to offer more than one type of fruit for drinks; the ingredients tell you what’s actually in it. Around 23% of consumers make variety their first consideration. |
| Storing leftover portions | Think about how many boxes are likely to be left over and follow the storage advice on the packaging. With a loose bag, you’ll need to portion it yourself. | If you want to take unopened portions with you later or store them, consider whether the packaging suits that use. Around 15% of consumers prioritise quantity and making use of leftover portions. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day. A 14 g box, like the one we looked at, counts towards this; remember to include any other dried fruit you eat that day too. This is dietary advice, not a packaging requirement.
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a fruit mix suits everyone
The AH mixes we looked at list sulphites. For its plain raisins, Jumbo warns that the product may contain, among other things, nuts, milk and soya.
Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging for each exact variant. If someone eating it needs to avoid a listed allergen, don’t offer them that portion without checking the information first.
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Thinking small boxes mean you can eat as much as you like
The boxes we looked at contain 14 g per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of 20 g of dried fruit per day; several boxes and any other dried fruit all count towards the total.
Use the portion size to plan how much you’ll serve, and include any dried fruit the person has already eaten that day.
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Confusing a large bag with a multipack
The individual bags from PLUS and ALDI described here aren’t ready-to-serve boxes for sharing.
Check that the number of individual packs is explicitly stated. Portioning the fruit yourself takes extra time and, if you use separate packaging, extra materials.
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Relying on the date for a sealed pack after it has been opened
The date applies to the unopened pack. Different storage advice may apply once it’s open.
Store unopened boxes as directed on the packaging, and follow the product-specific advice for any opened contents.
Brands and product ranges for reference
Albert Heijn
The AH Hamsterchef range we looked at includes plain raisins and variants with apple or apricot.
- For the variants we looked at, Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 g per pack.
- The apple and apricot variants list sulphites; check the ingredients for your chosen variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes is a multipack of plain raisins.
- Jumbo lists 14 individual portions of 14 g.
- Jumbo warns that the product may contain, among other things, nuts, milk and soya. Check the packaging if this is relevant to anyone eating it.
Lidl
The Lidl product name Snoeprozijntjes can be a useful starting point if you’re looking for dried raisins.
- The product listing gives you a specific name to look for on the packaging.
- Check the current packaging for the number of individual packs, the quantity and the ingredients before planning to use it as a multipack.
ALDI
ALDI describes Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack, a size that suits anyone who wants to portion them out themselves.
- The stated net weight makes it clear that this is a larger individual pack.
- This isn’t a ready-made multipack; you’ll need to portion it yourself.
PLUS
PLUS describes sultanas in a 375 g bag, an option if you’d rather portion them out yourself.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients and recommends storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- A single bag isn’t as convenient for sharing as individual boxes.
Dirk
Dirk lists, among other things, sultanas, golden raisins and other types of dried fruit.
- The product listings offer different types of fruit to consider if you’re planning to portion it yourself.
- A product name alone doesn’t tell you whether a pack contains individual boxes; check the packaging before planning how to share it.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are dried fruit that you can portion out or share. Check each pack to see what quantity and portion format will suit your drinks gathering or lunchbox.
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B+ Sultana Raisins - 250 g
A good choice if you want to serve plain sultanas and decide on the portion sizes yourself.
The product name states 250 g; the product description lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients. The presence of a stem or stone cannot be ruled out entirely.
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Zohra Medjool Dates (M) 908g
The product description says this pack is suitable for sharing.
The product name states that these are size M Medjool dates, with a pack size of 908 g; the description says the dates are pitted.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many multipacks I need?
First, count how many boxes you want to serve, then divide that number by the number of boxes in each pack. Jumbo lists 14 boxes and the AH Hamsterchef packs we looked at contain 10; count the individual boxes rather than looking only at the total weight.
Which ingredients and allergens should I check in dried fruit?
Read the ingredients list and warnings on the exact pack. The AH mixes we looked at list sulphites; Jumbo warns that the product may contain, among other things, nuts, milk and soya. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about legally designated allergens must appear on the label of prepacked foods. This labelling requirement doesn’t mean a product is suitable for everyone with an allergy.
How should I store unopened leftover boxes?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and check the best-before date. For raisins, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; don’t automatically apply this advice to every fruit mix or opened portion.
What does the date on dried fruit mean?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority distinguishes between ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that a best-before date relates to quality, while a use-by date relates to safety. Follow the date on the unopened pack and, once opened, follow the product-specific storage advice.
How do I choose between plain raisins and a mix with apple or apricot?
Choose plain raisins if you only want to serve that type of fruit; choose a mix if you’d also like apple or apricot on the table. Albert Heijn lists sulphites in the apple and apricot mixes we looked at, so check the label if sulphites are relevant to anyone eating them.