Parents taking small portions with them
You want to be able to grab a snack on the go without weighing out a portion from a larger pack. An individual box contains a fixed amount, but you decide how much your toddler has.
Who are the different pack formats for?
Carers who put ingredients first
You compare plain raisins with fruit mixes and check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety, especially if your child has a known sensitivity.
Parents who prefer to portion it themselves
You’d rather prepare a small amount yourself in advance and choose a larger pack if you want to control how much you take with you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Individual boxes of plain raisins
A good fit if: you want to take a box with you without weighing out a portion. AH lists 10 portions of 14 g; Jumbo lists 14 portions of 14 g.
Bear in mind: 14 g is the pack’s serving size, not a recommended amount for a toddler. AH and Jumbo provide different product information and warnings.
Boxes of raisins and apricots
A good fit if: you’re looking for a fruit mix in a handy format and its ingredients suit what your child eats.
Bear in mind: AH lists 70% raisins, 28% apricot and sulphites, and warns that some stones may remain. This is a different product from plain raisins.
Portioning a larger pack yourself
A good fit if: you want to prepare a small amount yourself in advance and don’t mind a little preparation.
Bear in mind: the packs from PLUS, ALDI and Dirk are larger stock packs, not individual snack portions. Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose.
AH and Jumbo list 14 g portions for their plain raisins; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering dried fruit in small portions.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Taking small portions with you | Check the number of boxes and the weight per box, not just the total pack weight. | If you want to grab something quickly while you’re out without weighing it, an individual box could suit you; around 33% of consumers prioritise convenience on the go. |
| Eating calmly under supervision | Plan a snack break, stay with your child and check the pieces and any warnings about stones, stalks or pips. | If you want your toddler to eat calmly while you stay nearby, consider where they’ll be eating; around 27% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | If your child has a known sensitivity or you want to check what’s in the product, the label is key; around 27% of consumers put ingredients first. |
| Portioning a larger pack yourself | Check the total weight and storage instructions, and consider whether you want to divide the contents into small portions yourself. | If you’d rather decide how much to take with you, a larger pack could work well; around 13% of consumers prioritise portioning it themselves. |
Common pitfalls
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Letting your toddler eat while walking around
An individual box doesn’t prevent your child from choking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises that your child sits still and that you stay nearby.
Plan a short snack break, stay with them and check that the pieces are suitable for your child to eat.
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with low total sugars
AH Hamsterchef Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars and 65 g of total sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre therefore advises offering dried fruit in small portions.
Check both the total and added sugars, and decide for yourself how much to offer.
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Treating a fruit mix like plain raisins
According to its product information, the AH apricot variety contains sulphites and carries a warning that some stones may remain. Jumbo lists a different allergen warning for its plain raisins.
Check the exact variety and the current label, especially if your child has a known sensitivity.
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Assuming a whole box is a toddler-sized portion
A 14 g portion is a product specification, not a standard portion for toddlers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering dried fruit in small portions.
You don’t have to give your child a whole box. Choose a larger pack and portion it yourself if you want more control over the amount.
Relevant brands and buying options
Albert Heijn
AH Hamsterchef offers plain raisins in individual boxes, as well as a separate apricot variety.
- For its plain raisins, AH lists 10 boxes of 14 g.
- The apricot variety has different ingredients: the product information mentions sulphites and warns that some stones may remain.
Jumbo
Jumbo Raisin Snack Boxes, 14 Pieces is a multipack with individual portions.
- Jumbo lists 14 boxes of 14 g and nutritional values per portion.
- The product page states that it may contain almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, milk, soya and walnuts. Check the warning on the packaging too.
Lidl
Belbake Raisins is a relevant range of raisins at Lidl.
- The product name gives you a specific variety of raisins to compare.
- Check the ingredients, portion size and any warnings on the packaging itself; don’t assume they’re the same as those for other raisin products.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack, a larger stock size.
- The stated weight makes it clear that you can prepare a small amount yourself.
- The pack weight alone doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients, texture or portion size for a toddler; check the label.
PLUS
PLUS Sultana Raisins is listed in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients, and advises storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- You’ll need to prepare a small amount yourself; PLUS warns that stalks and stones may be present.
Dirk
Dirk lists raisins in a 750 g pack, suitable if you’re looking for a larger stock pack.
- The pack weight helps you identify it as a larger format.
- Check the ingredients, warnings and storage instructions on the packaging; the weight alone won’t tell you this.
Joybuy products for on the go
This Joybuy selection includes raisins and other dried fruit snacks for on the go. Prune and hawthorn products are different from raisins, so compare the product type and ingredients rather than treating them as the same snack.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts, 252 g
The product description refers to mini raisin handouts; check the packaging to see how the portions are divided.
The ingredients list 99.5% raisins and sunflower oil. The nutritional information lists 70 g of sugars per 100 g.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic Raisins 12M+, 140 g
The product description lists 10 individual boxes of 14 g, making this pack format comparable with other individual snack boxes.
The product description lists raisins and states that the product contains no sulphites. It says the product is suitable from 12 months, that children should be supervised while eating and that it isn’t suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
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Be&Cheery dried plums, 90 g
This is a bag of dried plums, not a pack of raisins or individual portion boxes.
The ingredients list plums, white sugar, salt and sweeteners. The nutritional information lists 3.0 g of salt per 100 g.
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Bestore Hawthorn Flakes, 250 g (19–21 small sachets)
The product title lists 19–21 small sachets; the product description refers to sweet-and-sour hawthorn slices.
The ingredients list white sugar and the colourant E120. The product description includes a warning about E120 and children’s activity and attention; take this product warning into account and read the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 14 g box the right portion for my toddler?
No. 14 g is the pack’s serving size, not a standard portion for toddlers. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises offering dried fruit in small portions, so you don’t have to give your child a whole box.
How should I offer dried fruit when we’re out?
Plan a calm snack break and stay with your toddler while they eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises supervising children while they eat; also check the pieces and any warnings on the packaging.
How often is a snack suitable for a toddler?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises limiting extras between meals to no more than twice a day where possible. Water is always fine; this is dietary advice, not a legal requirement.
Where can I check the allergens in dried fruit?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that allergen information for prepacked food is shown on the label; a fruit mix may contain different ingredients from plain raisins.
How should I store raisins for when we’re out?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. AH Hamsterchef Raisins, Jumbo Raisin Snack Boxes and PLUS Sultana Raisins advise storing the product in a cool, dry, dark place; check the label for instructions for your variety.