Who is this for?

The portion-conscious partygoer

You want a sweet party snack, but you’re mindful about limiting how much dried fruit you eat. The Dutch Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day.

The label-conscious host

You want to know what your guests are eating, so you check added sugars, total sugars and allergen information separately.

The organised party planner

You want to shop ahead and store any leftovers properly. Storage instructions can vary between products; for example, soaked apricots may need to be refrigerated after opening.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to consider What to look for Who is this important for?
Portion and energy Compare kcal per 100 grams, then weigh out the same portion. For the apricot products checked, Albert Heijn lists 182 kcal, Jumbo 237 kcal and PLUS 254 kcal per 100 grams. If I want to keep track of my portion at a party, I’d rather weigh it than go by the product name; around 36% of consumers say portion control is their main purchasing priority.
Sugars on the label Check both the ingredients list and the nutrition table. PLUS lists 0 grams of added sugars and 53.4 grams of sugars per 100 grams; these are two different figures. When I’m watching my added sugar intake, I also want to know how much sugar and energy the product contains; around 28% of consumers prioritise ingredients and composition.
Allergens Check the current packaging. The apricots checked contain sulphites; Jumbo also states that the product may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame. If I’m catering for guests with known allergen requirements, I check the exact packaging before serving anything; around 18% of consumers say this is their main purchasing priority.
Quantity and storage Choose a pack size that suits how much you want to serve, and follow the storage instructions after opening. AH says its soaked apricots should be refrigerated after opening. When planning a party, I want to put out enough and store leftovers according to the label; around 18% of consumers prioritise organisation and storage.

Common pitfalls when choosing dried fruit

  • Assuming a small portion means the product is low in calories

    A smaller portion contains less energy than a larger one, but that doesn’t mean the product is low in calories per 100 grams. According to the European Commission, solid foods must contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 grams to make the ‘low energy’ claim.

    Compare the nutrition information per 100 grams, then decide how much you actually want to serve.

  • Comparing portions of different weights directly

    A lower figure per portion may simply be because that portion is smaller; it doesn’t automatically show how the products compare at the same weight.

    Compare the figures per 100 grams first, then calculate the same portion size for each option.

  • Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means low in sugar

    Added sugars and total sugars are listed separately. For the apricots checked, PLUS lists 0 grams of added sugars and 53.4 grams of sugars per 100 grams.

    Check both figures and the energy content on the label of the pack you buy.

  • Putting together a mixed platter without keeping allergen information

    The apricots checked contain sulphites. Jumbo also warns that its product may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame; this warning applies to that specific product.

    Check the packaging and keep the labels by the platter so guests can read the product information.

  • Applying general storage advice to every product

    Storage instructions can vary. The soaked apricots from AH that were checked should be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.

    Follow the instructions on the exact pack, including after opening.

    Leftovers may go to waste if you don’t store them as directed on the packaging.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product information describes 250-gram packs of soaked dried apricots.

  • Lists 182 kcal per 100 grams for the variant checked.
  • Contains sulphites; refrigerate after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists pitted dried apricots in a 250-gram pack.

  • The product page lists 237 kcal per 100 grams and 47 kcal per 20-gram portion.
  • Contains sulphites and, according to the product information, may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands lists dried fruit at selected stores.

  • The store listing makes clear that availability is limited to selected stores.
  • Check the information for your local store before planning your purchase.

ALDI

ALDI lists sun-dried plums in a 250-gram pack.

  • ALDI’s product description says the plums are soft and pitted.
  • This texture description comes from the retailer and doesn’t provide nutrition information or a calorie comparison.

PLUS

PLUS lists dried apricots in a 375-gram stand-up pouch.

  • The product information lists 254 kcal per 100 grams, 53.4 grams of sugars and 0 grams of added sugars.
  • Contains sulphites; 0 grams of added sugars doesn’t mean the product is low in sugars.

Dirk

Dirk lists pitted apricots in a 200-gram pack.

  • The store page confirms the product identity and pack size.
  • Dirk doesn’t mention a delivery service on its store page, so bear this in mind when planning your purchase.

Dried fruit at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a small portion of dried fruit make the product low in calories?

No, a small portion doesn’t automatically make the claim apply. According to the European Commission, solid foods can only be described as ‘low energy’ if they contain no more than 40 kcal per 100 grams. The Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS apricots checked contain 182, 237 and 254 kcal per 100 grams respectively, putting them above this threshold.

How do I compare the energy content of different portions of dried fruit?

First compare the figures per 100 grams, then calculate the same portion size for each product. This helps you avoid comparing a larger portion with a smaller one by mistake.

Does ‘no added sugar’ mean a product is low in sugar?

No, that statement doesn’t tell you how much total sugar the product contains. Also check ‘of which sugars’ and the energy content in the nutrition table on the exact pack.

What allergen information should I check for a party?

Read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving. The apricots checked contain sulphites; Jumbo also states that its product may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame.

Can I store all opened dried fruit in the kitchen cupboard?

No, follow the instructions for the specific product. The soaked apricots from AH that were checked should be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C; general storage advice doesn’t replace the product’s own instructions.