Families who portion it themselves
If you use dried fruit regularly and want to divide a supply into small portions at home, choose a pack size that suits your actual usage. Jumbo lists sultana packs in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g sizes.
Who is this guide for?
Parents choosing small portions
For a snack in your child’s school bag, consider the portion size and ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a small portion of dried fruit for children.
Households looking for quick packing
If you want to keep morning prep to a minimum, compare individually portioned packs with a bag that you can weigh out yourself. Jumbo describes its raisin boxes as handy for when you’re out and about.
What should you look for when choosing?
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and usage | Compare the net weight of the same type of fruit and choose an amount that suits how often you use it. | If you regularly make portions at home, you’ll want enough in stock without buying more than you use. Around 33% of consumers prioritise quantity and usage. |
| Ingredients and portions | Read the ingredients list and decide in advance how much to pack. No added sugar doesn’t mean the product is low in sugar. | For a school snack, you’ll want to know what’s in it and keep the portion small. Around 27% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portion size. |
| Convenience when packing | Check whether you’re buying individual boxes or one bag to portion yourself, and look at the weight per portion. | If you want to pack the school bag quickly, a ready-portioned pack can mean less preparation. Around 20% of consumers focus mainly on convenience. |
| Storing your supply | Follow the storage advice on the exact pack. Advice for dried fruit mix doesn’t automatically apply to other types of fruit. | If you buy a larger supply, you’ll want it to match how quickly your household gets through the pack. Around 13% of consumers prioritise a manageable supply. |
| Allergens | Check the label for the exact type of fruit or mix, especially if a relevant allergy or intolerance is a concern. | If you have a relevant allergy or intolerance, check the allergen information before choosing. Around 7% of consumers make this their priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Choosing a larger bag without considering how much you use
A larger pack gives you more in stock, but it won’t necessarily suit how much your household gets through.
Check the net weight and choose an amount that matches how often you use the product.
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Confusing no added sugar with low sugar
Dried fruit without added sugar still contains naturally occurring sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a small portion for children.
Read the ingredients list and decide in advance how much to put in the school bag.
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Assuming a fruit and nut mix is just fruit
A mix contains more than dried fruit and may include nuts. This is important if you need to avoid nuts.
Check the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked products.
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Using the same storage period for every type
Storage advice may apply to one type of fruit and isn’t automatically suitable for a different pack.
Follow the label on the variety you buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a storage period of 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard for dried fruit mix.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
The range includes raisins and fruit and nut mixes.
- The different product types give you a choice between fruit on its own and a mix.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety; a fruit and nut mix isn’t made from fruit alone.
Jumbo
The sultana range includes 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs.
- The different weights make it easy to match your supply to how much you use.
- Pack size alone doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients or the portion that will suit your school routine.
Lidl
Lidl’s Alesto range includes dried mango strips.
- According to Lidl, the mango strips described contain no added sugar.
- Lidl also states that the mango strips contain naturally occurring sugars; this product information applies to the variety described.
Aldi
Aldi sells TRADER JOE’S raisins in a 500 g pack.
- The product page lists the net weight of this variety.
- TRADER JOE’S is the product brand listed; check the ingredients on the exact pack.
PLUS
The range includes a 375 g PLUS Sultana raisins stand-up pouch and a 500 g dried fruit mix.
- There are different types of fruit and pack sizes to choose from.
- Raisins and dried fruit mix differ in ingredients and weight, so they aren’t directly comparable.
Dirk
The range includes 750 g raisins and 375 g 1 de Beste sultana raisins.
- The packs listed have different net weights.
- The product brand isn’t specified for the variety with the generic product name Raisins.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are dried fruit varieties described as suitable for snacking on the go. Check the ingredients and choose a portion that’s right for the school bag.
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OHLA dried guava 180g
The product description suggests guava as a snack for when you’re out and about.
The pack contains 180g. The product description lists 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
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OHLA dried soursop 180g
The product description suggests soursop as a snack for when you’re out and about.
The pack contains 180g. The product description lists white sugar, glucose, citric acid and sodium metabisulphite; check the label if sulphites are relevant to you.
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MUSHAN BASE dried strawberry slices 50g
The product description suggests it as a snack for when you’re out and about.
The pack contains 50g. According to the product description, this variety contains sugar.
Frequently asked questions
Can dried fruit completely replace fresh fruit in a school bag?
No, don’t assume it’s a complete substitute. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists a small box or handful of raisins as a possible snack, recommends a small portion and says fresh fruit remains the better choice.
Does no added sugar mean it contains little sugar?
No. Dried fruit can contain naturally occurring sugars, even when no sugar has been added. Lidl explicitly states this for the Alesto mango strips described; check the ingredients for the variety you buy.
What allergen information must appear on a prepacked product?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked products. Check the current label on the exact variety if an allergy or intolerance is a concern.
How long can you keep an opened bag of dried fruit?
Follow the storage advice for the specific product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a storage period of 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard for dried fruit mix; this doesn’t automatically apply to every other type of dried fruit.
How do you choose an amount for your school routine?
Choose a pack size based on how much your household uses and how often you make portions yourself. Keep your child’s portion small, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends, and read the ingredients list for the variety you choose.