Choose dried fruit for eating on the go based on the specific ingredient or allergen you need to avoid. Check both the ingredients list and any relevant warnings on the current packaging. Only then compare sweetening and packaging format: unsweetened does not mean sugar-free, and convenient packaging says nothing about whether a product is suitable for your diet.
You’re looking for a snack to enjoy with your coffee that suits the allergen you avoid or your gluten-free diet. Ingredients and relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination matter more than flavour or packaging convenience. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains what allergen information must appear on prepacked food labels.
You want to check for sulphite information rather than relying on the type of fruit or a natural-looking appearance. Stichting Voedselallergie distinguishes between a sulphite intolerance reaction and an allergic reaction.
You’re looking for something easy to take with you, and don’t want to mistake natural fruit sugars for an absence of sugar. Boxes and resealable packs are possible options for taking snacks on the go, but they say nothing about whether a product is suitable for an avoidance diet.
Start with the ingredient you need to avoid. Then consider sweetening and convenience for taking it with you as separate choices.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens or gluten | Read the current ingredients list and any relevant warnings about cross-contamination; check for the specific allergen or gluten-containing grain you need to avoid. | If I need to avoid a specific allergen or gluten, I check the packaging before considering flavour or convenience. Around 42% of consumers say that suitability for a specific allergen or gluten is their first priority. |
| Sulphites | Look for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and E220–E228. Check any preservative information separately from other allergen information. | If sulphites are the only thing I need to avoid, I want to find that information on the packaging. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Sweetening and sugar | Check the ingredients list for sugar, syrup and other sweetening ingredients; refer to the nutrition table for the same product. | I want to know whether sweetening ingredients have been added and how much I’m taking with me; unsweetened doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. Around 17% of consumers prioritise sweetening and portion control. |
| Packaging for eating on the go | Check whether the product is individually portioned or can be resealed after opening; follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If my main priority is being able to take the snack with me and reseal it easily, I look at the packaging. Around 16% of consumers prioritise convenience on the go. |
A broad claim doesn’t tell you which allergens are present as ingredients or whether there’s a warning about possible cross-contamination.
Check the current ingredients list and any relevant warnings for the specific ingredient you need to avoid. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been checking during inspections whether labels on prepacked products carry appropriate warnings about allergen cross-contamination.
Fruit naturally contains sugar, even when no sweetening ingredients are listed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between natural sugars and added sugars.
Check the ingredients list for added sugar or syrup, and also refer to the nutrition table. Remember to consider how much you’re taking with you.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise checking the current product information or packaging.
Check the ingredients list and warnings again before use, even if you’ve bought the product before.
A relevant product listing is AH Organic Dried & Unsweetened Pineapple.
The product information reviewed includes organic dried apricots and boxes of raisins.
The Dutch Alesto page features dried fruit and nuts.
The product information reviewed includes sun-dried apricots and a page featuring several varieties.
The product listing reviewed is for dried apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
The product page reviewed lists pitted apricots.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit snacks for eating on the go. Ingredients and packaging vary by product, so always check the current packaging against your specific dietary requirements.
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A ready-to-eat fruit snack that the product information says is intended for taking on the go.
Ingredients: 100% jackfruit. The product information states that no sugar has been added.
Packaging: six individual 25 g bags.
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A ready-to-eat fruit snack in a small pack, according to the product information.
Ingredients: 100% jackfruit. The product information states that no sugar has been added.
Packaging: 25 g.
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The product information describes this as a fruit snack for eating on the go; check the packaging for any ingredients you need to avoid.
Ingredients information: 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
The product information states that this product contains none of the 14 major EU allergens; also check the current packaging and warnings about possible cross-contamination.
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A ready-to-eat fruit snack whose packaging can be resealed after opening, according to the product information.
Ingredients: dried strawberries and sugar.
Packaging: 50 g; the product information states that the packaging is resealable.
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A ready-to-eat fruit snack according to the product information; this variety isn’t suitable if you avoid sulphites.
The ingredients information includes sugar, syrup and preservatives.
Sulphites are explicitly listed, including E223. Check the current packaging for the full ingredients and allergen information.
Check the label on the prepacked product for information about the specific allergen you avoid. The NVWA explains that allergen information must appear on the label; also read any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Such a warning indicates a possible risk and doesn’t necessarily mean the ingredient is present in every pack. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises considering the warning as part of your gluten-free diet, alongside the ingredients list.
No. Stichting Voedselallergie describes a reaction to sulphites as an intolerance reaction, not an allergic reaction. If you avoid sulphites, check the packaging for sulphites, sulphur dioxide and E220–E228.
No, fruit naturally contains sugar. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between natural and added sugars; check the ingredients list and nutrition table separately.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the specific product. For dried mixed fruit, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; this isn’t a universal storage period for all dried fruit.
