Days out without snack prep
You want to take or hand out small portions without dividing up a large bag in advance. Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 grams for the Hamsterchef boxes we looked at; Jumbo lists 14 portions of 14 grams.
Who are these options suitable for?
Portioning it yourself
You want to decide how much to take and use the remaining raisins at home. The supermarket packs we looked at include 375- and 500-gram bags.
Comparing labels for the family
You check ingredients or allergens, or are choosing a snack for a young child. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains where allergens are listed on the label; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that young children can choke on raisins and currants.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether you want to take portions with you without any preparation, or would rather measure them out yourself. Then check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific flavour and pack.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions ready to go | Check the weight of each box and the number of individual portions, then match them to the occasions when you plan to eat them. | If I want to take or hand out snacks straight away, a pre-measured portion is handy. Around 36% of consumers prioritise convenience without preparation. |
| Sugar and quantity | Read both the ingredients and nutritional information, and compare quantities on the same basis. | If you want to keep track of how much you eat each time, look at the portion size as well as the sugars present and any added sugars. Around 28% of consumers prioritise sugar and portion control. |
| Ingredients and serving safely | Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for each variety; bear the risk of choking in mind with young children. | If allergies, sensitivities or a young child’s eating skills are a consideration, the specific label matters more than the product range name. Around 18% of consumers prioritise ingredients and safe serving. |
| Pack size and leftovers | Compare the total pack size and consider whether you’ll use the rest at home; follow the storage advice on the pack. | If you portion it yourself, you’ll want to know whether you’ll use the rest of the bag at home. Around 18% of consumers focus on using up what they buy and getting the amount they need. |
Common pitfalls
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Confusing no added sugar with sugar-free
Dried fruit can contain sugars even without added sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping the amount small; nutritional values vary by product.
Read both the ingredients list and nutritional information, and decide in advance how much to take for each snack occasion.
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Assuming a small box makes it safe to eat
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says young children can choke on raisins and currants. The size of the box doesn’t tell you whether a child is ready to eat them.
Don’t give them too many at once, and stay with a young child while they’re eating.
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Assuming every flavour in a range is the same
The AH apple and apricot mixes we looked at contain E220 (sulphites). The ingredients in another flavour don’t tell you what’s in these varieties.
If you have an allergy or sensitivity, check the ingredients and warnings on the pack of the flavour you’ve chosen.
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Looking only at the total pack size
A larger pack doesn’t automatically tell you how much to take for each snack occasion. The examples we looked at range from individually portioned boxes to 375- and 500-gram bags.
Match the number of portions or the amount you measure out yourself to your planned days out, and think about what you’ll do with the rest.
Supermarket brands for comparison
Albert Heijn
Worth considering for small portions, with Hamsterchef raisin boxes and varieties with apple or apricot.
- Albert Heijn lists 10 portions of 14 grams for the boxes we looked at.
- The apple and apricot mixes we looked at contain E220 (sulphites); check the pack of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
The Snoep Rozijntjes boxes are an option if you want to take several individual portions with you.
- Jumbo lists 14 portions of 14 grams and nutritional values per portion.
- The product information warns that it may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts.
Lidl
Its listing for dried fruit may be useful if you shop at Lidl.
- Lidl Netherlands lists dried fruit as a product category.
- The listing applies to selected stores; check the specific pack and ingredients in store.
Aldi
The listed Trader Joe’s raisin pack is aimed at those who want to measure out portions at home.
- ALDI Netherlands lists a 500-gram pack.
- The pack weight doesn’t determine what portion is right for your day out; check the pack for product information.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana raisins in a 375-gram stand-up pouch are worth considering if you want to portion them yourself and use them at home.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients and advises storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- The claim of 0 grams of added sugars doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars.
Dirk
1 de Beste Sultana raisins in a 375-gram pack could suit you if you want to portion them at home.
- Dirk lists the product size on its product page.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so allow for a trip to the shop when planning your food shopping.
Joybuy products
These products are suitable for taking dried fruit snacks on the go: plums and raisins, including a product sold in individual boxes.
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Be&Cheery Various dried plums 90 g
An option if you’re looking for dried plums as a snack to take with you.
The product name lists 90 g.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts, 252 g
A good fit if you’re looking for a raisin product to take with you.
The product name lists 252 g.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140 g
The product description lists 10 individual 14 g boxes for pre-measured portions.
According to the product description, this product is suitable only for children over 12 months; supervise them while they eat. It is not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
The product name lists 140 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is dried fruit with no added sugar sugar-free?
No. No added sugar doesn’t mean sugar-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that dried fruit contains sugars; for example, the Jumbo product page lists 9.7 g of sugars per 14 g portion for that specific product.
What should I look out for if I have allergies?
Check the ingredients list and warnings on the pack of the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that the 14 allergens specified by law must be listed on the label. The Jumbo boxes we looked at warn that they may contain various nuts, milk and soya; the AH apple and apricot mixes we looked at list E220 (sulphites).
Are raisins suitable for a young child?
It depends on the child and how they eat; a small box doesn’t automatically make raisins suitable. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns of the risk of choking: don’t give too many at once and stay with your child while they eat.
What does the historical Jumbo recall mean for my pack?
The Productwaarschuwing.nl notice applied to a specific batch of 14 boxes with barcode 8718452534326 and a best-before date of 28-07-2026. That date has passed; don’t eat a pack from the recalled batch. The notice is not a judgement on all other batches.
How should I store an opened pack?
Follow the storage advice on the specific product’s pack. PLUS advises keeping Sultana raisins in a cool, dry, dark place; don’t assume this advice applies to other products without checking their labels.