Parents who want snacks ready to hand out
For a day out, individual snack boxes are handy if you don’t want to weigh out portions in advance. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list varieties in pre-portioned boxes; the number of boxes varies by product.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Parents who check ingredients
When choosing a snack for a child, you can check the ingredients list and nutritional information, including whether sugar has been added. If there’s an allergy, check the specific variety and its label rather than relying on the brand alone.
Families who make their own portions
A larger bag is an option if you want to decide at home how much to take on different days out. Compare the pack sizes and follow the storage instructions on the label.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want ready-made portions or would rather weigh them out yourself. Then check the ingredients and label of the variety you plan to take with you.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay extra attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions for on the go | Check the number of boxes and the amount in each one, then match this to your planned snack breaks. | If I want to hand out snacks on a day out without weighing them, I look for boxes with a clearly stated number of portions. Around 31% of consumers prioritise convenience and portioning. |
| Ingredients and quantity | Check whether sugar has been added and take into account the total amount your child eats in a day. | When I prepare snacks for several days, I want to be able to assess the ingredients and the amount eaten throughout the day. Around 25% of consumers prioritise nutritional content. |
| Allergens and sulphites | Read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the specific variety. | If there’s a relevant allergy or a need to limit sulphites, I want to check the label for that exact variety before taking it along. Around 19% of consumers prioritise suitability for people with allergies or a need to avoid sulphites. |
| Making your own portions | Compare pack sizes and costs for the same quantity, and follow the storage instructions on the label. | Making my own portions suits me if I want to decide how much to take and use the pack for several days out. Around 13% of consumers prioritise portioning food themselves and comparing costs for the same quantity. |
| Fruit flavour | Check which types of fruit are included and whether the ingredients suit your child’s preferences. | If my child prefers apple alongside raisins, I look for a mix that suits their taste and check the ingredients. Around 12% of consumers prioritise a fruit flavour that suits their preferences. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of one handful of dried fruit a day for children aged 4 to 12. No added sugar doesn’t mean sugar-free: dried fruit can contain naturally occurring sugars. So remember to include several small snack boxes in the day’s total.
Things to watch out for when buying
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Assuming a mini box means you can snack on it all day
A small pack doesn’t determine how many snack breaks are appropriate. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a maximum of one handful of dried fruit a day.
Plan what you’ll take with you and include the contents of multiple boxes in the day’s total.
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Confusing no added sugar with sugar-free
Dried fruit can contain naturally occurring sugars, even when no sugar has been added.
Read the ingredients and nutrition table, and keep an eye on how much you actually give your child.
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Assuming every fruit mix is suitable for everyone
A particular variety may contain sulphites, for example, or carry a warning about the possible presence of other allergens.
If there’s a relevant allergy or dietary restriction, check the ingredients and warnings on the specific pack.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Hamsterchef Raisins and Apple Pieces is a variety sold in individual snack boxes.
- The pack states that it contains 10 portions of 14 g, with 70% raisins and 30% apple.
- This variety contains sulphur dioxide (E220, sulphites); check this if you need to avoid sulphites.
Jumbo
Jumbo Snoep Raisin Boxes are individual portions of raisins.
- The pack states that it contains 14 boxes of 14 g; the ingredients are raisins and sunflower oil.
- Jumbo states that the product may contain almonds, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Belbake Raisins in its range.
- The listing gives you a specific product name to look for on the packaging.
- If pack size and ingredients affect your choice, check the current packaging for the latest details.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack.
- The pack size makes it suitable for weighing out your own portions.
- Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging before making your own portions.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana raisins are available in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- The ingredients are raisins and sunflower oil; PLUS recommends storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- The retailer warns that stalks and stones may be present; check the raisins as you portion them out.
Dirk
Dirk lists a 750 g pack of raisins, suitable for weighing out your own portions.
- The total pack size is listed, so you can compare it with other packs.
- Dirk does not list a delivery service, so bear in mind that you may need to buy it in store.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These products are options for days out, for making your own portions or for anyone looking for a different type of dried fruit.
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Jiazhouyuanye Thick-cut Dried Apples 180 g
Ideal if you want to take a ready-to-eat fruit snack with you; the product description mentions individually wrapped apple pieces.
The pack contains 180 g. The description states that it is made from 100% apple.
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Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g
Ideal if you want a larger quantity of dates to portion out for several snack breaks.
The product name specifies Medjool dates, size M and 908 g. The description states that the dates are pitted.
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Blue Blue Snacks freeze-dried apple slices, Original Flavour, 30 g
Ideal if you’re looking for a small pack of apple to take as a snack on the go.
The product name specifies 30 g. The description lists at least 99% apple and vitamin C in the ingredients.
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Blue Blue Snacks freeze-dried apple slices, Original Flavour, 90 g (10 g × 9)
Ideal if you’d rather take several small packs with you than one larger pack.
The description states that the pack contains 9 individual bags of 10 g and at least 99% apple.
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7FRESH Thick-Cut Dried Apples 350 g
Ideal if you want a larger pack of apples to portion out at home; the description says they’re ready to eat.
The product name specifies 350 g. Dried apples are listed in the ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Can dried fruit replace fresh fruit during the holidays?
Not as a regular substitute: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fresh fruit. For children aged 4 to 12, it recommends a maximum of one handful of dried fruit with no added sugar a day.
Can a young child eat raisins without supervision?
Stay close to young children when they’re eating raisins or currants. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that they can cause choking and advises not giving too many at once and staying with the child.
How should I store a larger bag between days out?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. PLUS recommends keeping its Sultana raisins in a cool, dry, dark place. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dried fruit mix in a tightly sealed container; this doesn’t automatically mean the same storage period applies to every type of dried fruit.
Where can I check the allergens in dried fruit?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the specific variety. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), any relevant allergens in pre-packed foods must be clearly distinguished in the ingredients list. This doesn’t mean every fruit snack is suitable for every child.
What should I do if the snack doesn’t meet expectations or is recalled?
If a product is faulty, contact the seller. The legal guarantee covers what you could reasonably expect from the product, as explained by ACM ConsuWijzer. If there’s a safety warning, follow the instructions for the specific pack or batch. The NVWA publishes food safety warnings.