Quick grab-and-go
You want to do very little preparation before setting off and are looking for a small pack where you can check the contents of each individual portion. Look at the weight of the inner pack, not just the total weight of a multipack.
Which type of pack is right for you?
Mindful portioners
You want to take a measured snack with you and pay attention to the ingredients, not just a picture of fruit or the word ‘unsweetened’. A larger bag that you portion out at home suits this approach.
Regular train travellers
You plan ahead for several days of travel and want to match the pack size, portions and storage instructions to your needs. Use a larger bag as your supply and compare the price per kilo of the same variety.
What should you look for in dried fruit for on the go?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portion size | Check whether the multipack really contains individual sachets and how many grams each one contains. | If I want to take something with me just before setting off, I look for an individually wrapped portion that suits my plans. Around 36% of consumers prioritise convenient packaging. |
| Portion size and ingredients | Check the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g; also weigh out the amount you plan to take with you. | If I want to decide how much I eat, I consider both the portion size and the ingredients. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
| Stocking up and storage | Compare the price per kilo of the same variety and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | If I’m preparing for several days of travel, I want to be able to divide up a larger pack and store it according to the label. Around 21% of consumers prioritise stocking up and convenience. |
| Personal ingredient restrictions | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety and check for any warnings. | If the ingredients are a deciding factor for me, I check the pack I’ve chosen rather than relying on the product category. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing ‘no added sugar’ with ‘low in sugar’
PLUS Sultana raisins contain raisins and sunflower oil, but PLUS lists 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety.
Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information, then decide how much you want to take with you.
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Treating a larger pack as a single snack portion
The larger packs mentioned, at 250 g, 375 g and 500 g, are not individual snack portions. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal limit.
Weigh out a portion at home or check the weight of each individual inner pack.
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Assuming a page featuring several mixes describes just one product
The ALDI product page covers several varieties, including cashew nuts, cranberries and a cranberry and raisin mix. The ingredients are therefore not the same for every variety.
Check the exact variety and its label, especially if you have a personal ingredient restriction.
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Assuming ‘pitted’ guarantees there won’t be any hard pieces
The PLUS product page warns that twigs or stones may still be present in the raisins despite checks.
Read the product-specific warnings and look out for any visible hard pieces when portioning.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
An option if you want to compare dried fruit or a fruit and nut mix.
- Albert Heijn lists products including dried, unsweetened pineapple and a mix containing raisins, pineapple, mango and almonds.
- The ‘unsweetened’ description applies to the pineapple variety mentioned, not the entire range. Pack weights do not indicate individual snack portions.
Jumbo
An option if you want to buy raisins in a larger pack and portion them yourself.
- Jumbo lists Sultana raisins in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs.
- The different weights offer a choice of pack size, but do not prove that the product is cheaper than at other retailers.
Lidl
A retailer to check for the dried fruit available.
- Lidl lists dried fruit as a product category.
- The product page refers to selected stores, so availability may vary from one store to another.
ALDI
An option if you’re looking for raisins or a resealable fruit mix.
- ALDI lists 500 g packs of TRADER JOE'S raisins and describes a 200 g fruit mix in resealable packaging.
- The page for the resealable pack covers several varieties. Check which fruit mix you’re choosing; resealable packaging does not determine the portion size.
PLUS
An option if you want to check the product information for a specific variety of raisins.
- For its 375 g pack of Sultana raisins, PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as the ingredients and says to store the product in a cool, dry, dark place.
- PLUS lists 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g for this variety. The same ingredients do not automatically apply to other PLUS products.
Dirk
An option if you want to look at other types of dried fruit as well as raisins.
- Dirk lists pitted apricots and pitted prunes, both in 200 g packs.
- The product name alone does not tell you whether sugar has been added, nor does it guarantee that there are no hard pieces.
Dried fruit at Joybuy
This selection includes raisins, dried plums and apricots in packs to take with you or portion out yourself.
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Sundrop Mini Raisin Handouts - 252 g
A larger pack of raisins that you can weigh out yourself for a snack on the go.
The description lists 99,5% raisins and sunflower oil. The sugar content is 70 g per 100 g; 252 g is the weight of the pack, not an individual portion. Store in a cool, dry place and seal the pack after opening.
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De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140 g
An option if you’re looking for pre-portioned boxes rather than weighing out a portion at home.
The product description lists 10 boxes of 14 g, organic raisins and no added sugars or sulphites. According to the description, the product is suitable from 12 months, children should be supervised while eating, and it is not suitable for anyone with swallowing difficulties.
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Be&Cheery Various Dried Plum 90 g
A bag of dried plums that you can portion out yourself for a snack on the go.
The ingredients list includes plums, white sugar, salt and sodium saccharin. According to the product description, the bag can be resealed after opening.
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Three Squirrels Red Apricot Dried, 250 g
A pack of dried apricots that you can weigh out yourself for a snack on the go.
The ingredients list includes apricot, sugar, maltose syrup and sulphites. The product description states that the pack is resealable.
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Be&Cheery Dried Red Apricots 300 g
A larger pack of dried apricots that you can portion out yourself.
The ingredients list includes apricot, sugar and maltose syrup. The product description recommends storing in a cool, dry place.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit should I put in my snack bag?
Weigh out a portion at home. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day; this is dietary advice, not a legal limit.
Should I choose a small pack or weigh out a portion myself?
A small, individually wrapped pack takes less preparation, provided its weight suits the amount you’re looking for. A larger bag is an option if you travel more often and have time at home to weigh out portions and store the remaining fruit according to the label.
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean that dried fruit is low in sugar?
No. That description alone does not mean a product is low in sugar. PLUS lists 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g for its 375 g pack of Sultana raisins, which contains raisins and sunflower oil.
What should I look for in allergen information?
Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the current packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any allergens that must be declared must be clearly distinguished from the other ingredients; this does not automatically make a product suitable for everyone with a particular allergy.
Which NS rules are relevant to snacks on the train?
NS asks passengers to put rubbish in the bin and not to occupy a seat with hand luggage if another passenger could use it. So keep your packaging and bag with you after eating until you can dispose of or store them.