Who is this for?

Vegan snackers on the go

Want a small portion without weighing it out at home? Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 g and identifies the AH Hamsterchef snack packs as vegan.

Planners who portion snacks themselves

If you prepare your snacks in advance, a larger bag may be more practical than individual snack packs. PLUS lists its Sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch and identifies them as vegan.

Vegan shoppers who check the label

Want to check the ingredients and allergens as well as the vegan information? The Albert Heijn apple and apricot variants list sulphites; a vegan label doesn’t answer that separate question.

What should you look for when buying?

First, choose between a ready-portioned snack and a larger pack that you can divide up yourself. Then check the exact ingredients and nutritional information.

What to consider What to look for Who should pay particular attention?
Portions and preparation Check the number of individual packs and the weight per portion; a reference portion in a nutrition table doesn’t prove that the product comes in separate snack packs. If I want to take a small snack with me without weighing it out at home, I look for confirmed individual packs. Around 25% of consumers prioritise portion convenience.
Vegan status Check the label and ingredients for the exact product variant; if any additives are unclear, ask the manufacturer for clarification. I want to check whether this particular variant fits my vegan choices, rather than relying on the type of fruit alone. Around 31% of consumers prioritise vegan status.
Sugar and portion size Compare total sugars and added sugar per 100 g separately, and consider how much you’ll actually eat. If I want to assess my portion, I look beyond the ‘no added sugar’ claim. Around 25% of consumers prioritise sugar and portion size.
Sulphites and allergens Check the allergen information for the exact variant and on the packaging; vegan status doesn’t tell you whether a product contains sulphites. If I’m sensitive to sulphites, I check the allergen information separately before choosing a variant. Around 19% of consumers prioritise checking allergens.

Common pitfalls

  • Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with sugar-free

    AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugar, but also 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. A small portion changes how much you eat, not the sugar content per 100 g.

    Check both total sugars and added sugar, and take the weight of the portion you eat into account.

  • Assuming a vegan label covers allergens

    The AH Hamsterchef apple and apricot variants list sulphites. Vegan status and suitability for someone with a sulphite sensitivity are separate considerations.

    Check the allergen information for the exact variant; don’t choose these particular variants if you’re sensitive to sulphites.

  • Mistaking a reference portion for an individually packed snack

    Jumbo lists a 15 g reference portion in the nutrition information for its Sultana raisins. This doesn’t confirm that the bag contains individual portions; Albert Heijn explicitly lists 10 individual packs in its Hamsterchef snack boxes.

    If you want a ready-portioned snack, look for an explicit number of individual packs and the weight of each pack.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Hamsterchef range includes documented small portions of dried fruit for on the go.

  • For its raisin, apple and apricot variants, Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 g and identifies them as vegan.
  • The apple and apricot variants list sulphites. This applies to these variants and not automatically to other products.

Jumbo

The 250 g Zongedroogde Sultana Rozijnen (sun-dried Sultana raisins) come in a larger bag that you can portion yourself.

  • The product information lists raisins and cottonseed oil as ingredients.
  • An ingredient list that looks plant-based isn’t an explicit vegan label; the reference portion in the nutrition information doesn’t confirm individual packs.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists a dried fruit mix, a different product type from plain raisins.

  • The product listing is a useful starting point if you’re looking for a fruit mix.
  • The listing alone doesn’t confirm vegan status or individual snack portions.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack.

  • The pack size is worth considering if you’re comparing larger quantities.
  • The product listing doesn’t confirm vegan status or individual packs.

PLUS

PLUS Sultana raisins are labelled vegan and come in a larger stand-up pouch for portioning yourself.

  • The product page lists a 375 g pack, raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients, and a vegan label.
  • The pouch isn’t confirmed to contain individual portions for taking on the go. PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place; the retailer warns that, despite checks, small sticks and stones may be present.

Dirk

Dirk lists 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins in a 375 g pack.

  • The own-brand product and pack size are listed for anyone comparing larger packs.
  • The product listing doesn’t confirm vegan status or individual portions.

Joybuy products

This Joybuy selection includes a large pack of Medjool dates for snacking or sharing. If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients and vegan information for the exact variant.

Zohra Medjool dates (M) 908 g

Zohra Medjool dates (M) 908 g

This larger pack could be a good fit if you’re looking for dates to snack on or share, and want to choose the amount yourself.

Medjool dates; 908 g pack.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a vegan fruit mix automatically suitable for someone with a sulphite sensitivity?

No. The AH Hamsterchef apple and apricot variants list sulphites, despite being labelled vegan. Check allergens separately from vegan status.

Is a 15 g reference portion in the nutrition information the same as a separate snack pack?

No. For Jumbo Sultana raisins, 15 g refers to the nutrition information and doesn’t confirm that the product comes in individual packs. Albert Heijn explicitly lists 10 packs of 14 g for AH Hamsterchef Raisins.

Does 0 g of added sugar mean that raisins are sugar-free?

No. AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugar, but 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. Check both figures and consider how much you eat, too.

What label information can help you assess a vegan dried-fruit product?

Check the ingredients list and any vegan label for the exact variant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that some E numbers can come from plant or animal sources; if you’re unsure, ask the manufacturer for clarification.

How should you store an opened bag of raisins?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the exact product. PLUS advises storing its Sultana raisins in a cool, dry, dark place; don’t assume the same advice applies to other products.