Those who portion it themselves
You want to make several small snacks from one purchase and don’t mind portioning them at home. ALDI and PLUS list larger bags of raisins; check the quantity in the pack you choose.
Who are these pack sizes suitable for?
Those who want to take a snack without preparation
You want to take a small snack with you without opening a bag or weighing anything first. Jumbo lists individual portions of raisins at 14 g per pack.
Those who like variety and check ingredients
You want to choose from different types of fruit and pay attention to ingredients, portion size and any allergens relevant to you. Albert Heijn and Dirk offer different types of dried fruit; always check the information for the exact product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Pre-portioned packs
Choose this if: you want to take a small amount with you on the go, ready to eat. Jumbo lists packs of 12 × 14 g and 14 × 14 g.
Bear in mind: the total quantity is made up of several individual portions.
Portioning a larger bag yourself
Choose this if: you want to portion it at home and store the rest according to the instructions on the pack. ALDI lists 500 g of raisins and PLUS lists a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to weigh or portion out what you want to take with you.
Other dried fruit or a mix
Choose this if: you’d like to consider fruit other than raisins. Albert Heijn, Dirk and ALDI offer a range of options.
Bear in mind: the type of fruit, whether it contains stones and the ingredients vary by product; check the individual pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity per purchase | Check the total quantity and decide how much you want to take each time. | If I want to make several small snacks from one purchase, I look at the total quantity and how I’ll portion it; around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portions without weighing | Check the number of individual packs and the weight per portion. | If I want to be able to grab a small portion straight away when I’m out, pre-portioning is handy; around 29% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Read the ingredients and check how many grams are in one portion. | If I want to keep a close eye on ingredients and quantity, I read the label on the exact product; around 21% of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Type of fruit and storage | Check the type of fruit, whether it contains stones and the storage advice on the pack. | If I want variety and only want to take what I’ll use, I look at the type of fruit and how to store the pack after opening; around 14% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a larger pack is automatically the right choice
A larger bag may mean you need to portion it yourself and plan how to store the rest. The total quantity doesn’t tell you how much you’ll want to take at a time.
Choose an amount that suits how you use the product, and follow the storage instructions on the pack after opening.
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Treating a resealable bag as one portion
Resealability tells you about the packaging, not how much you want to eat at a time. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal limit for pack sizes.
Decide in advance how much you want to take with you, then reseal the pack according to the instructions.
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Assuming all dried fruit is the same
The type of fruit, ingredients and whether it contains stones vary by product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label. The Food Allergy Foundation lists dried fruit as a category in which high levels of sulphites may occur.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, especially if you have a relevant sensitivity.
Supermarket brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to look at fruit other than raisins or a product specifically labelled as unsweetened.
- Albert Heijn’s product information includes dried pineapple labelled as unsweetened, as well as various fruit and nut mixes.
- That label applies to the product mentioned and not automatically to other options.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you’re looking for small, individually packed portions of raisins.
- Jumbo lists a standard sharing pack of 14 × 14 g and a Woezel & Pip pack of 12 × 14 g.
- The pack information for the organic Woezel & Pip option doesn’t automatically apply to the standard sharing pack.
Lidl
An option for browsing dried fruit in the stated supermarket range.
- Lidl lists dried fruit at selected stores.
- Availability depends on the store, and the listing doesn’t tell you whether the fruit comes in individual portions.
Aldi
Worth considering if you want to portion a larger pack yourself or are looking for a fruit mix.
- ALDI lists a 500 g pack of raisins and describes a 200 g fruit mix in resealable packaging.
- Information about several options doesn’t mean they all have the same ingredients.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to look at a stand-up pouch of raisins and portion it yourself.
- PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- The pack type and quantity don’t confirm that the pouch is resealable.
Dirk
Worth considering if you want to compare different types of dried fruit.
- Dirk’s search results include dates with stones, as well as pitted apricots, prunes and figs.
- Check the description of the specific product rather than relying on the category alone.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are suitable for portioning dried fruit yourself or taking a small snack with you. Check the ingredients, quantity and instructions for each product.
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Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g
The larger pack is suitable for portioning yourself; the product information describes the dates as pitted.
Quantity: 908 g.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum, 90 g
The portable stand-up pouch is an option for taking prunes with you or sharing them.
Quantity: 90 g. The listed ingredients are prunes, sugar, salt and sweetener.
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Haoxiangni Pitted Jujubes, 500 g
The pack may be suitable for portioning yourself; the product information describes the fruit as pitted red jujubes.
Quantity: 500 g. The ingredients information lists 100% red dates.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts, 252 g
The product name refers to mini sharing portions; the full pack contains 252 g of raisins.
Ingredients: 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil. The nutritional information lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic Raisins 12M+, 140 g
The product information lists 10 individual boxes of 14 g, making them handy pre-portioned snacks to take with you.
According to the product information, intended for children over 12 months. Supervise children while they eat and do not use the product if they have difficulty swallowing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between individual portions and a larger bag?
Choose individual portions if you want to take a pre-portioned amount with you when you’re out; choose a larger bag if you’d rather weigh or portion it yourself at home. Whichever you choose, check how many grams you’ll be taking each time.
How much dried fruit does the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommend per day?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal limit for pack sizes; add together any small portions you eat.
How long can I keep an opened pack?
Follow the instructions on the pack of the product you have. For opened dried fruit salad specifically, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months; this advice doesn’t automatically apply to other types of dried fruit.
What should I look for if I want to check ingredients or allergens?
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label; the Food Allergy Foundation lists dried fruit as a category in which high levels of sulphites may occur.
Do I need to soak dried fruit before taking it with me?
Not for the Jumbo Woezel & Pip raisins, which are described as small snacks for when you’re out and about. This doesn’t automatically apply to other products; follow any preparation instructions on the pack.