Choose dried fruit according to the specific ingredient you want to avoid: a vegan label does not prove that a product is suitable for someone with a food allergy. Albert Heijn labels AH Raisins as vegan, with raisins and sunflower oil as ingredients; the vegan-labelled PLUS Dried Apricots contain E220 (sulphite). So check the full ingredients list and any warnings on the packaging of the exact variant you’re buying.
If you eat a plant-based diet and avoid a specific allergen, check the ingredients and cross-contamination warnings separately from the vegan label. The Dutch Vegetarian Association stresses that a vegan certification is not an allergen declaration.
If sulphites are a deal-breaker for you, look for both the word ‘sulphite’ and E220 on the label. The Jumbo and PLUS apricot variants reviewed list sulphites.
If you’re looking for dried fruit to snack on or bake with, compare the ingredients and check added and total sugars separately. A vegan label doesn’t tell you how much total sugar a product contains.
First decide which ingredient or feature matters most to you. Vegan suitability, allergens, sulphites and sugars are separate things to check.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Your specific allergen | Check the ingredients, allergen information and cross-contamination warnings. The NVWA and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre remind consumers how important allergen information on labels is. | If I need to take possible cross-contamination into account because of an allergy, I check both the ingredients and the warnings. Around 31% of consumers prioritise avoiding a specific allergen. |
| Sulphites and preservatives | Check for sulphites and E220–E228. Jumbo and PLUS list E220 in the dried apricot variants reviewed. | If I need to avoid sulphites, I want to be able to check the label on the exact variant. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding sulphites. |
| Plant-based ingredients | Read the full ingredients list and check for a vegan label on the exact variant. The Dutch Vegetarian Association notes that honey and gelatine are not allergens, but they are animal-derived ingredients. | If I want to avoid animal-derived ingredients, I look beyond an allergen filter. Around 25% of consumers prefer vegan ingredients. |
| Added sugars and portion size | Albert Heijn lists 0 g of added sugars and 59 g of total sugars per 100 g for AH Raisins. PLUS lists 0 g of added sugars and 53,4 g of total sugars per 100 g for its dried apricots. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. | If I choose dried fruit as a snack, I want to check added and total sugars separately and weigh my portion. Around 19% of consumers prioritise added sugars and snack portion size. |
A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for your specific allergy. The Dutch Vegetarian Association points out that the V-Label is not an allergen declaration; for example, vegan-labelled PLUS Dried Apricots list sulphites.
Assess whether the ingredients are vegan and check the information about your allergen as two separate questions when buying.
Unsulphured doesn’t automatically mean that a product contains no other preservatives. The product information for AH Unsulphured Apricots lists potassium sorbate (E202).
Read the full ingredients list and don’t base your choice solely on the term ‘unsulphured’.
AH Raisins lists 0 g of added sugars, but also 59 g of total sugars per 100 g. These figures describe different things.
Compare added and total sugars separately, and weigh a portion if you want to control how much you eat.
A ‘lactose-free’ label on its own doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with a milk allergy or takes possible cross-contamination into account.
If you have a milk allergy, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact packaging.
AH Raisins 250 g is a specific option if you’re looking for raisins with a vegan label.
Jumbo Pitted Dried Apricots 250 g is a specific apricot variant to assess for its ingredients and allergen information.
Lidl’s Alesto range includes nuts and dried fruit, with snacking and topping suggested as uses.
Aldi lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack.
PLUS Dried Apricots 375 g is a specific variant with a vegan label.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste White Raisins in a 375 g pack.
These Joybuy products are dried fruit for snacks, toppings or baking. To check vegan suitability and allergen information, always read the ingredients and warnings for the exact variant.
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The six 25 g bags are handy if you want to take jackfruit with you in individual portions.
The product information lists jackfruit (100%) as the ingredient. Check the packaging for information about allergens that are relevant to you.
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This small pack is designed as a snack or topping.
The product information lists jackfruit (100%) as the ingredient, with no added sugars or preservatives. Check the packaging for allergen information that is relevant to you.
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This jackfruit snack is an option if you’re looking for jackfruit as the main ingredient.
The product information lists 98% jackfruit and vegetable oil, and none of the 14 main EU allergens. Still check the packaging for your specific allergen and any cross-contamination warnings.
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The product description suggests enjoying them as a snack, sharing them or using them in baking.
The ingredients list specifies black dates. The product information states that none of the 14 main EU allergens are present; check the packaging for warnings that are relevant to your situation.
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The product description suggests enjoying them as a snack or adding them to breakfast cereals, baked goods, salads and hot dishes.
The ingredients list specifies 100% dried grapes. The product description warns that they may pose a choking hazard for young children and advises keeping the product out of reach of babies and small children.
No. The Dutch Vegetarian Association stresses that a vegan label is not an allergen declaration. Check the ingredients and warnings for your specific allergen on the exact packaging.
No. Read the full ingredients list: the Dutch Association for Veganism gives honey and gelatine as examples of animal-derived ingredients that are not allergens.
No. The product information for AH Unsulphured Apricots lists potassium sorbate (E202), while the Jumbo and PLUS apricots reviewed list E220 (sulphite). If you avoid sulphites, check the full ingredients list for the variant you’re buying.
Not on its own. A lactose-free label doesn’t answer every question about milk ingredients or possible cross-contamination. Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact packaging.
No. AH Raisins lists a 50 g portion, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. A product’s stated portion and general dietary advice are not the same thing.
