Who is this guide for?

Shoppers avoiding a specific allergen

If you have an allergy to nuts, peanuts or milk, for example, you’ll want to check both the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Stichting Voedselallergie explains that a milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance, so information about lactose won’t necessarily answer questions about milk proteins.

Shoppers with gluten or sulphite restrictions

You’ll want to check the claim that matches your specific needs, rather than relying on a general statement. For example, Albert Heijn’s soaked apricots are labelled gluten-free, but the product information says they contain sulphites.

Shoppers combining dietary requirements with delivery

You want to have dried fruit delivered with your groceries, so you’ll need to check both the product information and the retailer’s delivery options. An online shopping list or range page isn’t the same as placing a grocery delivery order.

What should you check before ordering?

Start with the substance you want to avoid and check the information for the exact product. Then check separately whether the retailer delivers groceries. Prepacked foods must show allergen information on the label; Dutch government guidance states that this information must also be available online and in Dutch.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Allergens and cross-contamination Read the ingredients and allergen information; check for warnings about the specific allergen you need to avoid. If I need to avoid a particular allergen, I also want to check for possible cross-contamination. Around 33% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen.
Checking for sulphites Look for sulphites and E220–E228 in the product information. If I need to avoid sulphites, I want to check for them separately, regardless of any other dietary claims. Around 20% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites.
Gluten-free claims for each variant Check the claim on the exact packaging and read any relevant cross-contamination warnings. If avoiding gluten is my main concern, I want to check the claim and any cross-contamination warnings for the variant I’ve chosen. Around 20% of consumers prioritise avoiding gluten.
Added sugar Compare the ingredients with the nutrition table, and distinguish between total and added sugars. If I mainly want to avoid added sugar, I want to know what has been added to the product without confusing this with its total sugar content. Around 7% of consumers make this their main purchasing priority.
Delivery availability Check whether the retailer delivers groceries and which delivery slots are available. If I want my groceries delivered to my home, the retailer needs to offer that service and the product I choose must meet my dietary requirements. Around 20% of consumers prioritise delivery availability.

Pitfalls to avoid when buying dried fruit with dietary claims

  • Assuming gluten-free means allergen-free

    A gluten-free label says nothing by itself about other allergens or sulphites. According to the retailer, Albert Heijn’s soaked dried apricots are labelled gluten-free, but also contain sulphites.

    Check each substance you need to avoid separately against the ingredients and allergen information.

  • Checking the ingredients only

    An ingredient may not be listed, but the product information could still warn that it may be present due to cross-contamination. For its standard dried apricots, Jumbo warns that nuts, peanuts and sesame may be present, as well as listing sulphites as an ingredient.

    Read any cross-contamination warnings too, and check them against the specific allergen you need to avoid.

  • Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn lists AH Raisins as containing 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of sugars per 100 g. These statements don’t mean the same thing.

    Compare the ingredients and nutrition table, and note the difference between total and added sugars.

  • Mistaking a shopping list for a delivery order

    Lidl and Dirk say they don’t offer grocery delivery. The ALDI app describes a digital shopping list, not a delivery order.

    Check how to place an order and which delivery slots are available before choosing a retailer.

    If your chosen retailer doesn’t deliver groceries, you’ll still need to visit a shop. With a delivery service, order conditions and delivery charges may also apply.

Supermarket brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product information lists dietary claims and ingredients for specific variants.

  • Albert Heijn labels AH Raisins 250 g as gluten-free and lactose-free.
  • According to Albert Heijn, the soaked dried apricots contain sulphites, despite their gluten-free claim.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for dried fruit and offers grocery delivery or collection.

  • Jumbo’s product information for its standard dried apricots lists the ingredients and allergen warnings.
  • For these apricots, Jumbo lists sulphites as an ingredient and warns that nuts, peanuts and sesame may be present.

Lidl

Lidl’s Alesto range includes dried fruit, such as mango strips.

  • The Alesto range page lists dried mango strips.
  • Lidl says it doesn’t sell groceries through its website or app and doesn’t offer grocery delivery. A range page doesn’t make an allergen claim for a specific pack.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists dried plums in its in-store range and offers an app for planning your shopping.

  • ALDI Netherlands’ product page describes Trader Joe's pitted sun-dried plums.
  • The app description is for a digital shopping list; it doesn’t provide information about delivery or allergen suitability.

PLUS

PLUS provides online product information for dried fruit and lets you order through your local store.

  • PLUS’s product information lists dried apricots and advises storing them in a cool, dark, dry place.
  • According to PLUS, the apricots included in our research contain sulphites. PLUS says available delivery slots depend on the store and when you place your order.

Dirk

Dirk’s in-store range includes products such as raisins.

  • Dirk’s product page lists the 1 de Beste Rozijnen sultana 375 g variant.
  • Dirk says it doesn’t currently deliver groceries to your home, so shopping in store isn’t a substitute for home delivery.

Joybuy products: dried and freeze-dried fruit

This selection of Joybuy products includes dried and freeze-dried fruit. Check the ingredients for each variant, especially if you want to avoid added sugar.

MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 150g (25g x 6)

MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 150g (25g x 6)

An option if you’re looking for freeze-dried jackfruit and want to check the product information ingredient by ingredient.

The description lists six 25 g bags, jackfruit as the only ingredient and no added sugar.

View at Joybuy
MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 25g

MUSHAN BASE freeze-dried jackfruit 25g

An option if you’re looking for freeze-dried jackfruit and want to check the ingredients against your dietary requirements.

The product description lists jackfruit as the only ingredient and says there is no added sugar.

View at Joybuy
OHLA dried guava 180g

OHLA dried guava 180g

An option if you’re looking for dried guava and want to check the ingredients list.

The product description lists 95% guava, sugar and a preservative, so this isn’t the right choice if you want to avoid added sugar.

View at Joybuy
MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50g

MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50g

An option if you’re looking for dried strawberries and want to check the ingredients before ordering.

The product description lists dried strawberries and sugar, so this isn’t the right choice if you want to avoid added sugar.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dried fruit labelled lactose-free also suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

No, not based on that claim alone. Lactose is milk sugar; a milk allergy is a reaction to milk proteins. If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and relevant warnings separately.

Does gluten-free mean that dried fruit is free from all allergens?

No. A gluten-free label relates to gluten and doesn’t automatically answer questions about other allergens or sulphites. Check the exact variant, its ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination.

Does an online shop have to make allergen information available online?

Yes. Allergen information is part of the labelling requirements for prepacked foods. Dutch government guidance states that food information must also be available online and in Dutch.

What do the rules on cross-contamination warnings mean for older packaging?

The Dutch PAL rules have applied since 1 January 2026. According to the NVWA, the production date is the key date; stock packaged before then may still be sold afterwards if the food is safe. So, wording on an older warning isn’t unlawful just because it’s old.

Why should I read the label again after delivery?

Albert Heijn and PLUS say that ingredients and dietary or allergy information can change. Check the variant you receive before eating it. If the information differs from what you expected, ask the retailer to explain.