For a small portion of dried fruit at the office, compare the energy per 100 g and calculate it for the same weighed amount. None of the four supermarket products we looked at meets the EU threshold for a ‘low energy’ claim of no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. The product with the lowest calculated energy per 20 g does, however, need to be kept in the fridge once opened.
You’re looking for a sweet fruit snack for the office, but want to decide in advance how much you eat. Compare the energy in a weighed portion, and don’t treat a handful as an unlimited amount. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than a handful of dried fruit without added sugar.
You’re buying for several colleagues and want the stock to suit the storage space available. Keep the product and allergen information with the snacks. A product that needs to be refrigerated calls for a different solution from one that should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
You want to compare ingredients and nutrition information, or take a named allergen into account. Check added sugars, total sugars and sulphites separately: these are different product characteristics, not interchangeable nutrition claims.
First compare a weighed portion, then check that the storage advice suits the place where you plan to keep the opened pack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per portion | Compare kcal per 100 g, then weigh the amount you want. For 20 g, the calculated values are 36.4 kcal for AH soaked apricots, 47.4 for Jumbo ordinary apricots, 56.4 for PLUS prunes and 68.8 for AH Raisins. | If I want to keep my snack portion small, I want to know how much energy it contains. Around 36% of consumers mainly want to limit the energy in the portion they eat. |
| Storage after opening | Check the instructions for the opened pack: AH soaked apricots must be kept refrigerated at a maximum of 7°C; the ordinary apricots, prunes and raisins we looked at should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. | If I’m putting fruit out for colleagues, the storage advice needs to suit the space available. Around 28% of consumers say suitable storage is the deciding factor. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Check added sugars and total sugars separately, and look at the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant. | If I want to check sugar or specific ingredients and allergens, I need information for the correct pack. Around 22% of consumers put checking ingredients first. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with expected use and the storage instructions; the packs we looked at range from 250 g to 375 g. | If I regularly buy snacks for the office, I want to choose an amount that suits how much we use and can be stored properly. Around 14% of consumers mainly consider the amount they need for repeat purchases. |
The calculations for 20 g provide a like-for-like comparison of these specific products; they are not a recommended portion size. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim. So a smaller portion does not make a product low in calories.
AH Raisins state 0 g of added sugars and 344 kcal per 100 g. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a separate maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim.
Check the energy and total sugars separately, and calculate the energy for the amount you plan to eat.
The AH soaked apricots we looked at contain 182 kcal per 100 g, but must be kept refrigerated at a maximum of 7°C once opened and have a limited shelf life.
Choose this variant only if you can follow the refrigeration advice. Don’t leave the opened pack unrefrigerated in the office snack tin.
An opened pack therefore needs space in the fridge, as well as attention to its limited shelf life.
A general figure for dried prunes may not match the nutrition information on a specific pack, such as the PLUS prunes we looked at.
Use the label for the exact variant and compare products at the same weight.
The product information for the Jumbo apricots we looked at lists sulphites and possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame. Without the information from the correct pack, colleagues can’t check these details.
Keep the original packaging, or make sure the ingredients and allergen information is clearly available with the shared snacks.
The AH own-brand range includes products such as raisins and soaked dried apricots. Their product information highlights different portion and storage considerations.
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes ordinary dried apricots without stones; the pack we looked at contains 250 g.
Lidl lists Alesto as its own brand for products including dried fruit, and features apricots on its Dutch brand page.
ALDI sells TRADER JOE'S Sun-Dried Apricots in a 250 g pack.
The PLUS own-brand range includes dried prunes in a 375 g pack we looked at.
Dirk’s 1 de Beste own-brand range includes apricots in a 375 g pack.
These Joybuy products are suitable options if you’re looking for dried fruit to snack on at the office. When choosing, check the portion, ingredients and storage instructions on the relevant pack.
No image available
The mini portions make these easy to recognise as a raisin snack for the office.
The product description lists 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil. Store in a cool, dry place and keep the pack sealed after opening.
No image available
According to the product description, these pitted red dates are ready to eat.
The product information lists 327 kcal per 100 g and advises storing in a cool, dry place.
No image available
The product description presents dried guava as a snack and gives an energy value for comparing portions.
According to the product information, the product is 95% guava and contains sugar and a preservative. It lists 308 kcal per 100 g; store in a cool, dry place and seal well after opening.
No image available
The product description says these pitted red dates are ready to eat.
The product information lists 343 kcal per 100 g and advises storing in a cool, dry place.
No image available
The product description presents dried prunes as a ready-to-eat snack.
The product information lists 68 kcal per 100 g and names sugar, salt and sweetener as ingredients; the salt content is 3.0 g per 100 g. Store in a cool, dry place and keep sealed after opening.
No. A small portion does not make the product itself low in calories. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim; the four supermarket products we looked at are all above this threshold. It’s better to state the kcal in a weighed portion.
No. In this comparison, 20 g is simply the same amount used to calculate the figures and compare the products. The labels don’t all use the same portion size; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than a handful of dried fruit without added sugar.
Follow the storage advice on the exact pack; there is no single recommended time for all dried fruit. Once opened, AH soaked apricots must be kept refrigerated at a maximum of 7°C and have a limited shelf life. The ordinary apricots, prunes and raisins we looked at are labelled for storage in a cool, dry, dark place.
Keep the original packaging, or the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variant, with the snacks. The Jumbo apricots we looked at list sulphites and possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame; AH soaked apricots list sulphites. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) outlines information requirements for pre-packed products and unpackaged food sold commercially, for example through catering.
A general nutrition table may not describe the specific pack you’re buying. For generic dried prunes, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 40 kcal per 20 g portion; the label for the PLUS prunes we looked at lists 282 kcal per 100 g, which works out at 56.4 kcal per 20 g. For that purchase, use the information on the product-specific label.
