Regular TV-night sharers
You’re stocking up for several TV nights and want to compare pack sizes and net weights. Jumbo lists sultanas in several pack sizes, including 250 g, 500 g and 750 g.
Who is this relevant to?
Mindful portion pickers
You want to know what’s in your bowl and pay attention to ingredients and portions. Dried fruit with no added sugar still contains sugars; if you have allergies or sensitivities, always check the information on the specific pack.
Occasional snackers who like variety
You like to mix things up and would rather choose an amount that suits how often you snack. Smaller packs and mixes are options; follow the storage instructions for the product you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much you want to share and how often you’ll serve the snack. Then compare the exact type of fruit, ingredients and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and quantity | Compare the net weight and price per kilo for the same type of fruit and processing method. | If I’m stocking up for several nights, I want to know whether a larger bag suits what we’ll use up and can store. For consumers who prioritise value for money by quantity, this is the main consideration; that’s around 36%. |
| Ingredients and portion size | Read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information for the exact product. | I want to know what’s in the bowl and take personal sensitivities into account. Around 29% of consumers put ingredients and portion size first. |
| A suitable amount to keep in stock | Check the net weight, closure and storage instructions after opening. | For a one-off TV night, I’d rather choose an amount that suits how I’ll use it than be left with unused stock. Around 21% of consumers prioritise keeping a suitable amount in stock. |
| Variety | Check the types of fruit, processing method and any other ingredients in a mix. | If we want to serve a range of flavours, I’d rather have variety than the same type of fruit every time. Around 14% of consumers see variety as their top priority when choosing. |
Things to watch out for when buying
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Assuming a smaller pack offers better value
The price of one bag doesn’t tell you how much you’re paying per kilogram. Jumbo lists sultanas in several weights, so you can compare the price per kilo across that product range.
Compare the same type of fruit by price per kilo, then choose an amount that suits the way you’ll use it.
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Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘low in sugar’
PLUS Sultana Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars, but also 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having no more than a handful of dried fruit.
Check both the ingredients and nutritional information, and serve yourself a portion in a bowl rather than eating straight from the bag.
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Assuming all products in a fruit range are the same
The type of fruit, processing method and ingredients can vary. Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g contains sulphites; a product page listing several mix options doesn’t prove that every option has the same ingredients.
Check the pack for the exact product and, when sharing snacks, look at the allergen information.
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Using the same storage instructions for all dried fruit
Advice for dried mixed fruit doesn’t automatically apply to other fruit products or fruit that has been soaked.
Follow the instructions on your pack, including after opening it.
Comparing brands and retailers
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to compare different types of dried fruit and processing methods.
- The official product information includes 250 g packs of soaked dried apricots.
- These soaked apricots are a different product from ordinary raisins; don’t compare them as though they were the same type of fruit or had been processed in the same way.
Jumbo
The product range gives you a useful basis for comparing pack sizes of sultanas.
- The official product information lists sultanas in 250 g, 500 g and 750 g packs.
- Ingredients vary by product: the 750 g bag lists cottonseed oil, while the 250 g dried apricots contain sulphites.
Lidl
The retailer’s information lists a range of dried stone fruit in several varieties.
- The listed packs are 200 g.
- The information says the products are available in store only; check the variety and availability at your local shop.
Aldi
A relevant option for ordinary raisins or a separate fruit mix.
- The official product information describes TRADER JOE'S Raisins in a 500 g pack and a 200 g range of mixes in a resealable pack.
- The mix range includes several varieties; check the ingredients on the specific pack.
Plus
A smaller bag of sultanas for anyone looking to keep a limited amount in stock.
- PLUS lists raisins and sunflower oil as the ingredients in its 375 g bag.
- The nutritional information lists 0 g of added sugars and 68.2 g of total sugars per 100 g; consider both figures together.
Dirk
The product information lists a large bag of ordinary raisins.
- The listed bag contains 750 g.
- The brand of this specific pack hasn’t been established, so don’t confuse it with a separately named own-brand product.
Joybuy products
This selection focuses on other dried fruit, fruity snacks and portion packs to complement ordinary raisins. Check the ingredients, composition and storage conditions for each product.
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Three Squirrels dried red apricots, 250 g
The 250 g pack is an option if you’d prefer apricots to ordinary raisins.
The ingredient information lists 72.45% apricot, added sugar and sodium metabisulphite. The description says the bag is resealable.
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Be&Cheery dried red apricots, 300 g
The 300 g pack is an alternative if you’re looking for a different type of fruit from raisins.
The ingredient information lists apricot, sugar, malt syrup and E223 (sulphites).
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Bestore assorted hawthorn snacks, 500 g, 25 mini bags
The individual bags make it easy to portion out a snack. This is a hawthorn snack, not ordinary dried fruit such as raisins or apricots.
The description lists 85 g of sugars per 100 g and advises eating the product straight after opening and storing it in a cool, dry place.
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Fruit and nut snack pack, 5-pack, 1,073 kg
This pack combines five snacks, including plums, dates, banana chips and a nut mix with raisins and cranberries, so it doesn’t contain dried fruit exclusively.
The product information lists tree nuts and plums with aspartame (E951), a source of phenylalanine. The description says to refrigerate the product after opening and eat it within one day.
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HuaWeiHeng freeze-dried fruit mix, 28 g
A small snack portion of freeze-dried strawberry and mango with a white chocolate and cheese coating; this isn’t an ordinary bag of dried fruit.
The product information lists soya and milk. The stated best-before date is 24 September 2026, before this article was updated. Check the date on the current pack before buying, and don’t buy the product if its best-before date has actually passed.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to soak dried fruit before eating it as a snack?
No, not as a rule. Albert Heijn describes soaked dried apricots as a snack, while PLUS gives storage instructions for sultanas but doesn’t say they need to be soaked. Follow the directions for the pack you choose.
How should you store an opened bag of dried fruit?
Follow the instructions on the pack. PLUS recommends storing its sultanas in a cool, dry and dark place. For dried mixed fruit, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends storing it in a well-sealed container; this product-specific advice doesn’t automatically apply to other fruit.
What should I look for in the allergen information for dried fruit?
Check the ingredients list and any warnings on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains that allergens from the list of mandatory allergens must be clearly identified in the ingredients list. Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g lists sulphites and possible traces of nuts, peanuts and sesame; this applies to that product, not to all dried apricots.
Is the price shown online always the amount I’ll pay?
No. PLUS says that local prices, interim changes and the price at the time of delivery may differ from the information on its website. So check the final amount at checkout.
Can you always return dried fruit bought online within 14 days?
Not necessarily. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets describes a 14-day cooling-off period for most online purchases and lists legal exceptions, including products that spoil quickly. This doesn’t mean all dried fruit automatically falls under that exception; whether it applies depends on the product and the legal conditions.