Choose dried fruit based on the specific substance you want to avoid: check the fruit, ingredients and any relevant warnings on the exact packaging. If you’re sensitive to sulphites, pay particular attention to any mention of them. If you mainly want to keep an eye on how much you eat while watching TV, set out a portion beforehand. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day and notes that dried fruit contains more sugar per 100 grams than fresh fruit.
You want to check the exact type of fruit, ingredients and relevant warnings, rather than relying on a general claim such as ‘allergy-free’. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) explains the allergen information provided on prepacked products. The type of fruit itself can also be relevant, according to the Dutch Food Allergy Foundation.
You want to know whether the product you’ve chosen contains sulphites. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation explains that sulphites can be added to food as a preservative, including to prevent fruit from turning brown as quickly.
You want to have something sweet ready while being mindful of how much you eat. The World Cancer Research Fund offers general guidance on how much dried fruit to eat. Measuring out a portion beforehand can help you avoid treating a large pack as a single snack portion.
Start by identifying exactly what you want to avoid, then check that the packaging and portion size suit your snacking occasion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Specific allergens | Read the ingredients list and check the relevant allergen and cross-contamination warnings on the exact product. Also check whether you need to avoid the fruit itself. | If you need to avoid a particular allergen, you’ll want to know whether the product is suitable. Around 36% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen. |
| Sulphites | Look for sulphites or sulphur dioxide, and preservatives in the E220–E228 range. Don’t treat a description such as ‘unsulphured’ as complete allergen information. | If avoiding sulphites is your main priority, make sure you check specifically for them. Around 29% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Portion size | Check the net weight and decide how much to put in a bowl beforehand. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. | If you want to avoid mindlessly eating more while watching TV, setting out a portion in advance is a practical starting point. Around 21% of consumers prioritise mindful choices about sugar and portion size. |
| Packaging | Check whether the exact product is resealable, how much it contains and what storage instructions are given on the packaging. | If you want to spread the contents over several snacking occasions, it’s useful to know how to reseal and store the pack. Around 14% of consumers value convenient packaging most. |
The NVWA explains how allergen information must be shown on prepacked products. An ingredients list or cross-contamination warning won’t automatically answer every personal question you may have about a product. Always check the exact product against the specific substance you need to avoid.
The substance you need to avoid varies from person to person, and the fruit itself can also cause an allergic reaction. Information about legally designated allergens does not cover every possible food allergy.
Choose based on the substance you need to avoid, and check the ingredients and warnings for the exact product. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation also points out that stone fruits can themselves cause a reaction.
This description refers to sulphuring, but on its own it doesn’t provide a complete picture of other ingredients or possible cross-contamination.
If you’re sensitive to sulphites, use unsulphured apricots as a starting point for your search at most, then check all the product information.
The amount in a pack and the amount you set out for one snack occasion aren’t the same. The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. This is general nutritional advice, not individual guidance.
Measure out a portion in advance and choose a pack that suits the occasions when you plan to eat it.
The product name AH Unsulphured Apricots can be a useful search term when checking for sulphites.
Jumbo lists products including Dried Mango 125 g as a specific fruit option.
Alesto is a Lidl product range that includes dried fruit and nuts, including apricots.
The product information includes sultanas and a product group featuring cranberries and a cranberry and sultana mix.
PLUS lists Dried Apricots in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
Dirk has a dried fruit and nuts category that includes products such as dates and apricots.
This selection includes freeze-dried jackfruit, dried guava, prunes and apricots as snack options. None of these product names guarantees that a product is suitable for your specific allergy or exclusion diet. Check the product information and packaging.
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The six individual sachets can be handy if you want to set out portions in advance.
The product description lists jackfruit (100%) and states ‘None’ for allergens. Check the packaging for your specific dietary requirements.
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The 25 g pack is an option if you want to set out a small portion.
The product description lists jackfruit (100%) as the ingredient and states ‘None’ for allergens. Check the packaging for your specific dietary requirements.
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This pack is a snack option if you’re looking for dried guava.
The product description lists guava (95%), sugar and a preservative. The allergen information covers the 14 main EU allergens; also check all the information on the packaging.
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The individual 65 g pack is designed as a ready-to-eat snack.
The product description lists prunes, fructose syrup and oligofructose. The allergen declaration states ‘None’; check the packaging for your specific dietary requirements.
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The product description presents these apricots as a ready-to-eat snack.
The ingredients list sodium metabisulphite and explicitly mentions sulphites. This product isn’t suitable if you need to avoid sulphites.
No. Check which substance you need to avoid and assess the exact ingredients and warnings. The fruit itself can also cause an allergic reaction. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation points out that information about designated allergens doesn’t cover every possible food allergy.
Check the ingredients information for sulphites or sulphur dioxide, and for preservatives in the E220–E228 range. The Dutch Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a preservative that can be used in fruit, among other foods. A description such as ‘unsulphured’ doesn’t replace checking the rest of the product information.
For prepacked products, allergen information appears on the label. The NVWA explains that allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list. Check the packaging for the exact product.
Yes. According to the NVWA and the Regulatory Consultation on the Commodities Act, the Dutch allergen labelling policy has been in force since 1 January 2026. The NVWA said it would start checking cross-contamination warnings on prepacked products during inspections from that date. The conditions set out in the official guidance apply to stock packaged before then.
The World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day. You can use this general nutritional advice as a guide when measuring out a portion in advance; it isn’t a personalised dietary prescription.
