People looking for something to take with them
You want a small portion you can grab without weighing it out first. Check whether the pack contains individual portions and how much fruit is in each one.
Who is this choice for?
People comparing labels
You want to know which ingredients have been added and how much sugar the product contains. Check the ingredients list and nutritional information, rather than relying on the product name alone.
People who like variety with their drinks and nibbles
You want to offer different fruit flavours and take into account what you or your guests can tolerate. Check the exact ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
Portion packs
Choose this if: you want to take a portion with you without weighing it out yourself. Albert Heijn lists AH Hamsterchef Raisins as 10 boxes of 14 grams each.
Bear in mind: the portion size is fixed, and each box has its own packaging.
A larger bag of raisins
Choose this if: you want to weigh out portions yourself at home. PLUS lists a 375-gram stand-up pouch; Jumbo offers Sultana varieties in several pack sizes.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare the portions yourself and store the opened pack as instructed on the packaging.
A fruit mix
Choose this if: you’d like more than one fruit flavour. AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apple Pieces is listed as 70% raisins and 30% apple.
Bear in mind: the AH variety listed contains sulphur dioxide and sulphites; check the exact packaging.
A resealable mix
Choose this if: you want to open a bag for drinks and nibbles, then seal it again afterwards. ALDI describes a cranberry and raisin mix in a 200-gram resealable pack.
Bear in mind: resealable doesn’t mean the contents are divided into portions. Check the ingredients for the specific variety too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking a portion with you | Check the number of inner packs and the weight per portion, not just the total weight. | If you want something to take with you without weighing it out first, check the number of portions and the weight per box; around 31% of consumers prioritise convenience on the go. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Read the ingredients list and compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 grams. Also consider how much you eat. | If you want to assess added ingredients and sugars, the ingredients list and nutritional information are key; around 25% of consumers give the product’s composition top priority. |
| Variety of fruit flavours | Check which types of fruit are in the mix, the proportions and whether anything else has been added. | If you want to offer different fruit flavours with drinks and nibbles, compare the ingredients of each variety; around 19% of consumers prioritise variety in flavour. |
| Portioning it yourself | Compare pack sizes for the same type of fruit and consider how much preparation weighing it out will take. | If you want to prepare portions at home and decide how much to serve, check the bag size and storage instructions; around 13% of consumers prioritise this approach. |
| Tolerating the ingredients | Read the allergen information on the current packaging and keep it to hand if you divide the contents between containers. | If you or a guest has a known sensitivity, the information for the exact variety matters more than the product name; around 12% of consumers prioritise tolerability. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Don’t confuse no added sugar with low total sugars
Albert Heijn lists AH Hamsterchef Raisins as having 0 grams of added sugars and 65 grams of total sugars per 100 grams. These figures mean different things.
Check both figures and bear your portion size in mind. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal purchase limit.
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Don’t assume a fruit mix is sulphite-free
AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apple Pieces lists sulphur dioxide E220 and sulphites. This is relevant if you or someone at the table is sensitive to sulphites.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, even if you serve the contents in different containers.
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Don’t mistake a resealable bag for portion packs
A resealable pack can help keep the contents fresh, but it doesn’t automatically divide them into individual portions.
Check whether you’re buying inner packs or one larger bag. If you buy a larger bag, weigh out the amount you want to take with you in advance.
Brands to compare
These examples show different packaging formats and product information across the brands listed. The features apply to the specific products and varieties, not to a brand’s entire range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists portion packs of raisins and a variety containing raisins and apple pieces.
- The product page for AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 10 boxes of 14 grams each.
- The apple variety lists sulphur dioxide and sulphites; check the packaging for the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Sultana raisins in several pack sizes, which are suitable if you want to portion them yourself.
- The product range checked includes packs of 250, 500 and 750 grams.
- Ingredients can vary by variety; the standard 250-gram variety lists raisins and cottonseed oil.
Lidl
Lidl lists a product called Dried Fruit Mix.
- The product name is a useful starting point if you’re looking for a mix rather than a single type of fruit.
- Check the ingredients, portion size and packaging format on the product pack.
ALDI
The ALDI product page mentioned lists both raisins and a cranberry and raisin mix.
- The product page lists a 200-gram resealable pack for the mix.
- The page covers several varieties; check which ingredients are in the specific pack.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins come in a larger pack that you can divide into smaller portions yourself.
- The product page lists a 375-gram stand-up pouch and names raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients.
- PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place and warns that small stalks and stones may be present.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Blanke Raisins in a larger pack.
- The product page lists a pack size of 375 grams.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, portion information and storage instructions.
Joybuy products
This selection ranges from a large pack of dates to share to individually packaged freeze-dried fruit mix. For the fruit mix, check the stated best-before date and ingredients before ordering.
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Zohra Medjool Dates (M), 908 g
The 908-gram pack is suitable for sharing with drinks and nibbles; if you want to take some with you, you’ll need to weigh out a portion yourself.
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HuaWeiHeng freeze-dried fruit mix with cheese flavour, 28 g
The 28-gram individual pack is designed as a ready-to-eat snack; the filling lists strawberry and mango.
The product information says it is coated in white chocolate and cheese, and lists soya and milk. The stated best-before date, 24 September 2026, has passed; check the date on the packaging before ordering and don’t rely on the product listing alone.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit makes a small daily snack portion?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. An AH Hamsterchef box contains 14 grams; remember to count any other dried fruit you eat that day too. This is advice, not a legal portion limit.
Can I store raisins in the cupboard after opening?
For opened raisins, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide recommends keeping them in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Follow the instructions on the specific pack too; PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Is a raisin and apple mix automatically suitable if I’m sensitive to sulphites?
No, you can’t tell from the fruit in the name. AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apple Pieces lists sulphites; the Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a possible cause of intolerance reactions. Check the exact packaging.
Where can I find allergen information for pre-packed dried fruit?
Check the label on the exact pack. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, required allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label; this doesn’t mean that all fruit snacks contain the same allergens.
Can I always return a fruit snack bought online?
Not necessarily. ACM ConsuWijzer says online purchases generally come with a 14-day cooling-off period from delivery, with exceptions including products that spoil quickly. Whether an exception applies to a specific pack depends on the product; check the information provided for that purchase.