Choose dried fruit based on its declared total fat per 100 g, and decide in advance how much to take with you. For solid foods, the European Commission defines low fat as no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g; this does not prove that a product contains less fat than similar products. Check sugar, energy and ingredients too: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
You want to check the declared total fat per 100 g and distinguish between a low fat content and a comparison with similar products. For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a low-fat claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g.
You’re looking for a small, sweet addition to your lunchbox and want to consider sugar, energy and how much you take with you, as well as fat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
You’re choosing between weighing out a portion yourself and taking a product in small boxes. Follow the storage advice on the packaging too; Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend storing the raisins included in the research in a cool, dry, dark place.
For an office lunch, fat per 100 g is just one factor to consider: portion size, packaging and ingredients can also matter.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who might find this more relevant? |
|---|---|---|
| Total fat | Check the total fat per 100 g. A low fat content is not the same as a proven reduction compared with similar products. | If I want to check fat content first, I look at the nutritional values per 100 g. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Portion, sugar and energy | Weigh the amount you’re taking with you and check the nutritional values for that exact portion. | If I want to know how much sugar and energy my lunch snack contains, I check both the portion size and the product’s nutritional information. Around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Easy to take with you | Check the number of portions, the weight of each box and the storage advice. | If I want to take a small snack without weighing it out, individually portioned packaging matters. This convenience is the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you’re buying. | If I have a food sensitivity, I want to check the ingredients and warnings for the specific product. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how much you plan to use, and follow the storage instructions. | If I’m considering a larger pack, I want to know how much it contains and how to store it. This is the most important factor for around 12% of consumers. |
A low declared fat content does not prove that a product contains less fat than similar products.
If you’re choosing based on fat, use the nutritional values per 100 g. Don’t present a product as reduced fat unless you can substantiate the comparison.
AH Raisins state 0 g of added sugar, but contain 59 g of total sugars per 100 g.
Check both the total sugars and the amount you’ll actually be taking with you.
The AH Raisins included in the research list a portion size of 50 g; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
Weigh your lunch portion and include any other dried fruit you eat that day in your total.
The own-brand products included in the research include raisins and a raisin and apricot mix in small boxes.
The variety included in the research consists of dried, pitted apricots in a 250 g pack.
Lidl sells dried fruit under the Alesto brand, including mango strips; its shop page for dried fruit from southern regions lists several varieties.
The ALDI pages included in the research list Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack and sun-dried apricots in a 250 g pack.
The Sultana raisins included in the research come in a 375 g stand-up pouch.
The 1 de Beste Apricots included in the research come in a 375 g pack.
These Joybuy products are examples of dried fruit for a lunch snack. Compare the declared fat, sugar information and ingredients for each variety with what you’re looking for.
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An option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat jujube snack.
Declared total fat: 0 g per 100 g. Sugars: 50 g per 100 g.
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An option if you want to take pitted Medjool dates with you as a snack.
The product description says they’re pitted and can be eaten straight away.
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An option if you’re considering dried soursop as a lunch snack.
Declared total fat: 2,21 g per 100 g. The ingredients list white sugar, glucose and sodium metabisulphite.
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An option if you’re looking for ready-to-eat, pitted jujubes.
Declared fat: 0,5 g per 100 g. The product description states 60 g of sugar per 100 g.
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An option if you’re looking for ready-to-eat dried apricots for your lunchbox.
Declared fat: 0 g per 100 g. The ingredients list sugar, maltose syrup and sulphites; the nutrition table states 62 g of sugars per 100 g.
No. The European Commission sets separate conditions for low-fat and low-energy claims. So check the energy content for the amount you’ll be taking with you too.
No. AH Raisins list a portion size of 50 g, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. Consider the recommendation alongside the product’s nutritional information.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. The Jumbo apricots included in the research contain sulphites and may contain nuts, peanuts and sesame; the AH Hamsterchef mix included in the research also lists sulphites.
No. Jumbo warns that a piece of stone or stone fragments may occasionally be present, even in the pitted apricots included in the research.
For solid foods, the European Commission sets the threshold for a low-fat claim at no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) points out that voluntary food information must not be misleading, confusing or ambiguous. A low fat content alone does not prove a reduction compared with similar products.
