Quick to hand out
You want small, pre-portioned servings that can go straight into party bags without weighing them out. Pay particular attention to the number of individual boxes and the weight per portion.
Who are small portions useful for?
Choosing deliberately small portions
You want to offer dried fruit as a small treat, not as an unlimited substitute for fresh fruit. Compare portion sizes and ingredients, and consider what else is being served. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping treat portions small.
Taking the group into account
You want the treat to be suitable for the children receiving it. If any children have known allergies or are very young, check the ingredients and warnings, and consider supervision. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on raisins or currants.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want ready-portioned servings or would prefer to portion the fruit yourself. Then check the ingredients for the exact variant and choose a quantity that suits the group.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Even portions | Check the number of individual portions and the weight per portion. Jumbo lists 14 portions of 14 g; Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 g for Hamsterchef Raisins. | I want to fill party bags quickly without weighing each portion myself; around 31% of consumers prioritise even portions that need no filling. |
| A small treat | Check the portion size and nutritional information, including sugars per 100 g and per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping treat portions small. | If I want to keep the amount deliberately small, I look at both the portion and the ingredients; around 25% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
| Suitability for the group | Check the ingredients and warnings for possible allergens. For young children, also consider how much they eat at once and whether they are supervised, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | I want to take known allergies or young children among the recipients into account; around 19% of consumers prioritise suitability for the group. |
| Packaging and leftovers | Work out how many full outer packs you need based on the number of portions in each pack. If you portion the fruit yourself, the number of treats will depend on the portion size you choose. | I want to have enough to hand out without ending up with too much left over; around 13% of consumers focus mainly on the quantity needed and leftovers. |
| Type of fruit | Check which types of fruit the exact variant contains, and read the ingredients again if you choose a different flavour or mix. The AH Hamsterchef apple variant lists 70% raisins and 30% apple. | I want to choose a type or mix of fruit that suits the children receiving the treat; around 12% of consumers prioritise fruit choice and variety. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming raisins are suitable for every child
The Jumbo boxes warn that they may contain various nuts, milk and soya. The AH apple variant lists sulphites. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also warns that young children can choke on raisins or currants.
Ask about any known dietary restrictions and read the information on the exact pack. Don’t give young children too much at once, and supervise them while they eat.
If a variant isn’t suitable for a child with a relevant dietary restriction, you may need to arrange a different treat for them.
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Comparing only the total weight
A 140 g pack with individual portions is different to a 375 g stand-up pouch that you have to divide up yourself. The total weight doesn’t tell you how many treats are ready to hand out.
Check the number of portions and the weight per portion. Then work out how many outer packs you’ll need for the number of children.
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Treating a large bag as ready-to-hand-out portions
A larger pack means you’ll need to weigh and fill the portions yourself. PLUS warns that, despite careful checks, the stand-up pouch it reviewed may contain stalks and stones.
Allow time to fill the portions and check the fruit. Keep the original product information, too.
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Choosing a fruit mix without checking the ingredients again
A different type of fruit may also mean a different ingredients list and allergen information. The AH apple variant lists sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Check the information for the specific variant whenever you choose a different flavour, especially if a child has a relevant dietary restriction.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Hamsterchef includes pre-packed portions of plain raisins and a variant with pieces of apple.
- According to Albert Heijn, both variants reviewed contain 10 portions of 14 g.
- The apple variant contains sulphites. The description’s claim that the product was developed in line with the Dutch Wheel of Five guidelines comes from Albert Heijn; it isn’t an independent comparison.
Jumbo
Jumbo Snoep Rozijntjes Doosjes are an option if you’re looking for pre-portioned servings for a group.
- Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 g, with raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- The product information warns that the product may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Lidl
Belbake Raisins is a Lidl Netherlands product range featuring raisins.
- The product name offers a familiar option in the dried fruit category.
- Compare the packaging and ingredients of the variant you want to buy; the product range alone doesn’t tell you how many individual portions you can make for party bags.
Aldi
Trader Joe's Raisins is a described option if you want to make up the portions yourself.
- ALDI lists a 500 g pack.
- The pack weight doesn’t equal a set number of individual portions for children. The description ‘top quality’ is a claim made by ALDI, not an independent assessment.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana raisins in a stand-up pouch are suitable for portioning yourself; PLUS also describes Sundrop Snack Raisins.
- According to PLUS, the stand-up pouch reviewed contains raisins and sunflower oil and includes storage advice.
- PLUS warns that, despite careful checks, the product may contain stalks and stones. The stated weight of Sundrop Snack Raisins doesn’t prove how many individual boxes it contains.
Dirk
Dirk describes raisins in a 750 g pack and also stocks other types of dried fruit.
- A larger pack can be a good starting point if you want to put together the portions for party bags yourself.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so plan to buy in store and check the packaging and ingredients yourself.
Joybuy products for party bags
This selection of Joybuy products includes dried plums and raisins, from a resealable bag to individual boxes. Check the packaging, ingredients and any warnings for each variant.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum, 90 g
The product description mentions a resealable bag of dried plums, an option if you want to decide the portion size for party bags yourself.
The ingredients list includes plums, sugar, salt and sodium saccharin. According to the description, the salt content is 3.0 g per 100 g.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts, 252 g
The product title describes mini raisin portions for party bags.
According to the product description, the contents are 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil. The pack contains 252 g; the number of individual boxes isn’t specified.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic Raisins 12M+, 140 g
The product description mentions individual raisin boxes, which are handy if you want to have the portions ready in advance.
According to the description, the pack contains 10 boxes of 14 g. It also says the product isn’t suitable for children with swallowing difficulties and that they need to be supervised while eating.
Frequently asked questions
At what age can children eat raisins?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says raisins can be given occasionally as a snack once a child is around one year old and joins in with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t give young children too much at once, and stay with them, as they can choke on raisins or currants. This isn’t a legal minimum age or a guarantee that raisins are suitable for every child.
How should I store dried fruit if I prepare the party bags in advance?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. The PLUS stand-up pouch and AH Hamsterchef products reviewed recommend storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. If you portion the fruit yourself, keep the original use-by and product information; the date on the pack doesn’t set a separate storage period for bags you’ve filled yourself.
What should I check for allergens in dried fruit?
Read the ingredients and warnings for the exact variant, and check them against any known allergies or intolerances among the children. Jumbo warns that its raisin boxes may contain various nuts, milk and soya; the AH apple variant lists sulphites.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean dried fruit is sugar-free?
No. Dried fruit contains its own sugars, so the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions. A statement about added sugar is different from the product’s total sugar content.
How do I work out how many packs I need?
Divide the number of children by the number of individual portions in each outer pack, then round up. Jumbo lists 14 boxes per pack, while AH Hamsterchef Raisins has 10 portions per pack. For a stand-up pouch, the number of treats depends on the portion size you choose.