Choose dried fruit based on the specific dietary need, not on a general impression that it is “allergen-free”. AH Sun-dried Raisins 500 g and PLUS Sultana Raisins 375 g are labelled gluten-free and lactose-free, but those labels do not automatically rule out other allergens. If your child has an allergy, check the allergen information too and agree with the school what they can eat; offer a small portion alongside their lunch.
You’re looking for dried fruit labelled to suit your child’s dietary needs. Lactose-free does not mean suitable for someone with a cow’s milk protein allergy; the product information from Albert Heijn and PLUS applies to specific varieties of raisins.
You check both the ingredients and allergen warnings, and agree with the school what your child can eat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the allergen information provided on prepacked products; VieCuri Medical Centre offers guidance on making arrangements with school.
You want to pack a small amount of dried fruit without treating a large bag as a child-sized portion or automatically replacing fresh fruit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a small portion for children.
Start with what your child needs to avoid. Then check the ingredients, portion size and how you’ll use the product at home and at school.
The percentages show the share of consumers for whom each purchase priority is most important in this guide.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for a specific diet | Check the exact variety and the relevant dietary label; assess milk allergy separately from lactose intolerance. | If gluten, lactose or a particular allergen needs to be avoided, you’ll want to check the information for that exact variety. Around 39% of consumers prioritise suitability for a specific diet. |
| Sulphites | Read both the ingredients and the allergen information; don’t assume the product is sulphite-free. | If you’re sensitive to sulphites, choose a product that fits the agreed avoidance diet. Around 23% of consumers give avoiding sulphites top priority. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Compare added sugar and total sugars separately, if that information is available; decide for yourself how much to pack. | If you’re looking for a small addition to lunch and want to take the ingredients into account, the amount per portion matters. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ingredients and a small portion. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the pack size and storage instructions; if your child has an allergy, consider how to store and transport the product separately too. | If you’re portioning it at home for several lunches, you’ll want to know what that involves in practice. Around 15% of consumers give packaging convenience top priority. |
Gluten, lactose and cow’s milk protein are different things to consider. A label addressing one dietary need doesn’t automatically answer questions about another allergy.
Start by identifying exactly what your child needs to avoid, then check the information on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
Allergen information can provide important additional details. For Jumbo Blue Raisins 250 g, sulphites are listed under allergens, while the ingredients list shown names raisins and sunflower oil.
If your child has a relevant allergy, read both the ingredients and allergen warnings, and follow the arrangements you’ve made with school.
The AH and PLUS varieties of raisins state that they contain 0 g of added sugar per 100 g, but their product information also shows that they contain total sugars.
Compare nutritional information on the same basis and pack a small amount. Don’t automatically replace fresh fruit with dried fruit.
If your child has a food allergy, it may be important to agree how packed food, treats and contact with other foods are handled.
Agree with the school how its protocol will be applied for your child and how cross-contamination will be prevented.
Separate food, treats and arrangements with school mean extra planning around lunch.
AH Sun-dried Raisins 500 g is a specific variety for anyone looking for a gluten-free or lactose-free label.
The Blanched Raisins 250 g and Blue Raisins 250 g reviewed here show why you need to check allergen information for each variety.
The product page describes dried tropical fruit in several 200 g varieties.
Trader Joe’s Raisins 500 g is a larger pack that you can portion out at home.
PLUS Sultana Raisins 375 g is a specific variety for anyone looking for a gluten-free or lactose-free label.
The listings include Raisins 750 g and 1 de Beste Sultana Raisins 375 g.
These products are dried or freeze-dried fruit options to add to lunch. If you’re choosing for a particular diet, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack; a product claim is not a general guarantee for every allergy.
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The product information suggests it for lunchboxes; if your child has a dietary requirement, check the latest information on the packaging.
According to the product information, it consists of 100% jackfruit and contains no added sugar. The pack contains six 25 g sachets.
The product information makes an allergen claim; don’t take this as a general guarantee that it is free from all allergens. Choose according to the specific dietary need.
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The product information describes this as a ready-to-eat snack; if your child has a dietary requirement, check the latest information on the packaging.
According to the product information, it consists of 100% jackfruit and contains no added sugar. The pack is 25 g.
The product information makes an allergen claim; don’t take this as a general guarantee that it is free from all allergens. Choose according to the specific dietary need.
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The product name specifies dried guava in a 180 g pack. Before choosing it for a specific dietary need, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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The product name specifies dried strawberry slices in a 50 g pack. Before choosing it for a specific dietary need, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
No. Lactose-free does not mean that a product is suitable for someone with a cow’s milk allergy. Lactose intolerance concerns milk sugar; a cow’s milk allergy concerns cow’s milk protein. So check the relevant ingredients and allergen information, and don’t base your choice on the lactose-free label alone.
“May contain” warns that an allergen could be present unintentionally. From 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority will oversee the rules for allergen information on prepacked products. Don’t ignore a warning about an allergen your child needs to avoid; if you’re unsure, discuss the product choice with the school and the healthcare professional involved.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that children can eat sulphured raisins; the exception is people who are sensitive to sulphites. If your child needs to avoid sulphites, check the information for the specific variety.
Agree with the school which products suit your child’s dietary needs and how cross-contamination will be prevented. VieCuri Medical Centre recommends, among other things, making arrangements for packed food and treats, and having a suitable protocol for the child concerned.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a small portion, but does not give one universal amount for every schoolchild. So don’t automatically treat the contents of a bag as one portion; choose an amount that suits the lunch and the arrangements for your child.
