Choose individual boxes if you want to hand out portions during a movie night and keep unopened portions for lunchboxes. Check how many boxes there are and how much each one contains. Plain raisins are a good choice if you’re looking for a single fruit flavour, while mixes with apple or apricot have different ingredients and list sulphites. A large bag is another option if you’d rather weigh out and prepare your own portions.
You want to give each viewer an individual portion without weighing anything out beforehand. The number of boxes and the amount in each one matter more than the pack’s total weight. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list these details for their boxed products.
You’re buying for movie night as well as for later snacks on the go. Individual boxes mean you only need to open the portions you want. Follow the storage instructions on the pack for the remaining boxes; Voedingscentrum explains that the best-before date applies while the pack is unopened.
You’re looking for variety, or need to check ingredients and allergens for certain people. Mixes with apple or apricot differ from plain raisins and list sulphites. Warnings about the possible presence of allergens also vary by product, as shown in the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
Choose this if: you want one fruit flavour and ready-to-serve portions. Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 g; AH Hamsterchef Raisins contains 10 boxes of 14 g.
Bear in mind: the Jumbo product states that it may contain almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Choose this if: you want two types of fruit in one box; both AH varieties contain 10 boxes of 14 g.
Bear in mind: both varieties list sulphites. The apricot variety also warns that a stone may accidentally remain in the fruit.
Choose this if: you want to weigh out portions at home and decide how much to put in a lunchbox or bowl. Product pages from Jumbo, ALDI and PLUS show bags in various sizes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to weigh and pack the portions yourself, then follow the storage instructions after opening.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions to hand out | Check the number of individual packs and the weight of each box, not just the total weight. | If I want to hand out portions during movie night without weighing them, I’d rather count the boxes than just look at the number of grams. Around 29% of consumers prioritise the number of portions to hand out. |
| Keeping portions for later | Plan how many boxes you’ll need later and follow the storage information on the pack. | I want to keep some unopened boxes for lunchboxes, so we don’t have to open everything during movie night. Around 23% of consumers give future lunchbox use top priority. |
| Fruit combination | Read which types of fruit and other ingredients are in the box; a mix doesn’t let you choose between the different flavours separately. | If I want apple or apricot alongside raisins in a portion, I look at the fruit combination. Around 18% of consumers mainly choose based on variety of flavour. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, total and added sugars, and allergen warnings for each variety. | I want to know in advance which ingredients and allergen information are relevant to the people I’m serving. Around 18% of consumers prioritise ingredients over other buying considerations. |
| Quantity and preparation | Think about how much you’ll use and whether you want to spend time weighing and packing portions yourself. | I want to match the quantity to what we’ll use, and I’m happy to portion it myself if that suits my plans. Around 12% of consumers give the quantity they’ll use and the preparation involved top priority. |
The total weight, such as 500 g, doesn’t tell you whether the contents are divided into individual boxes.
Look on the pack for the number of individual portions and the weight of each box.
AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. These figures describe different things and apply to this product.
Check both sugar figures in the nutritional information and decide how much you want to serve.
The AH mixes with apple and apricot list sulphites. The Jumbo boxed product states that it may contain various allergens; this product information isn’t interchangeable.
Check the exact variety and keep the pack with its ingredients information to hand when serving.
According to Voedingscentrum, the best-before date applies while the pack remains unopened.
After opening, follow the storage information for the specific variety and buy an amount you’ll actually use.
Among the product ranges reviewed, AH Hamsterchef offers plain raisins as well as boxes with apple or apricot.
Jumbo Raisin Snack Boxes, 14-pack is sold in individual portions; the range also includes bags of raisins.
The Dutch product page lists Belbake Raisins.
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s Raisins in a 500 g bag.
PLUS Sultana raisins are listed in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
The range reviewed includes 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins, 375 g, cranberries, 200 g, and apricots, 375 g.
No. 14 g is the portion size in the products mentioned, not a personal nutritional recommendation. For dried fruit with no added sugar, Voedingscentrum advises having no more than a handful, as dried fruit contains a lot of sugar.
Only open the boxes you use and follow the storage information for the relevant variety. AH Hamsterchef Raisins says to store in a cool, dark and dry place; Voedingscentrum explains that the best-before date applies while the pack is unopened.
Check the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the exact variety you plan to serve. NVWA lists 14 allergens that must be labelled; information about possible traces may also be relevant to your choice.
The AH mixes with apple and apricot that were reviewed list sulphur dioxide/sulphites, so they aren’t suitable if you need to avoid sulphites. This applies to these varieties; always check the label on the product you buy.
A best-before date indicates minimum durability; according to Voedingscentrum, if the food has been stored correctly, you can check it by looking, smelling and tasting it after this date. A use-by date is about safety and must not be exceeded. Check which type of date is on the pack and follow the storage instructions.
