Choose individual boxes if you want to hand out or take portions with you without weighing them yourself: the AH fruit mixes mentioned contain 10 boxes of 14 grams, while Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 grams. A larger bag is a better fit if you want to portion it yourself. Also compare the ingredients and allergens, as the AH mixes mentioned contain sulphites.
Would you rather set out a small amount than eat straight from a large bag? The World Cancer Research Fund recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal purchase limit.
If one purchase needs to cover several snack occasions, individual boxes make it easier to divide the portions. The multipacks mentioned contain 10 or 14 boxes; check the weight of each box too.
If the ingredients matter more to you than the packaging, check the ingredients and allergens as well as the type of fruit. The AH fruit mixes mentioned list sulphites.
Ideal for: several snack occasions, guests or lunchboxes when you want individual portions ready to go.
Trade-off: the amount in each box is fixed, so you’ll need a different number of boxes if you want a different amount.
Ideal for: weighing your own portions and using your own snack containers.
Trade-off: you’ll need to portion it yourself and store the opened pack properly.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion for an evening snack | Check the weight of each box, and distinguish dietary advice from a legal purchase limit. | If I want a set amount for my evening snack, I check the weight of each box. About 31% of consumers prioritise portion size. |
| Boxes to share | Check both the number of individual packs and the weight of each box. | For guests or lunchboxes, I want to know in advance how many individual portions I can hand out. About 31% of consumers prioritise sharing and taking snacks with them. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. | If I want to check for additives or allergens, I look beyond the name of the fruit. About 23% of consumers prioritise ingredients. |
| Portioning it yourself | Compare the total bag weight and follow the storage instructions once opened. | If I want to weigh out my own portions, a larger bag may suit my routine better. About 15% of consumers make portioning their own snacks and managing their supplies their top priorities. |
The two AH fruit mixes mentioned contain no added sugar, but they do contain naturally occurring sugars. The two claims do not mean the same thing.
Check the ingredients and nutrition information together, and choose a portion that suits your preferences.
A weight of 375 or 500 grams tells you the total amount, not how many individual snack portions there are.
Check specifically whether there are individual packs inside and how many grams each one contains.
Both the AH apple and apricot mixes mentioned list sulphites. The fruit name alone won’t tell you this.
If allergens matter to you, use the current allergen information on the packaging as a deciding factor.
The Hamsterchef fruit mixes mentioned combine raisins with apple or apricot and come in 14-gram boxes.
Jumbo lists Snoep Rozijntjes in 14 boxes of 14 grams.
Lidl lists Belbake raisins as a product range.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500-gram bag, for anyone who wants to make their own portions.
PLUS lists Sultana raisins in a 375-gram stand-up pouch, which is suited to portioning yourself.
Dirk lists, among other things, sultanas and golden raisins in 375-gram packs.
No, a box is not automatically a personal guideline. Check the weight of each box and your total intake; the World Cancer Research Fund recommends a maximum of 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is dietary advice, not a legal restriction.
It doesn’t mean there is no sugar in them. The two AH mixes mentioned list 0 grams of added sugars per 100 grams, while the nutrition table also lists the sugars that are present.
Read the current allergen information on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly and correctly listed on the label; the two AH mixes mentioned list sulphites.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing raisins in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. For an unopened pack, follow the storage instructions and use-by or best-before date on the product; don’t assume this general advice applies to every fruit mix.
Compare the current total price and net weight on the same basis, for example per kilogram. To compare the cost per portion, use the same portion weight and remember to account separately for any containers you provide yourself; a larger bag isn’t automatically the best-value option.
