Choose organic dried fruit based on when you’ll eat it, a verifiable organic certification and the ingredients list – not just the word ‘natural’. Also check the quantity, storage instructions and sugar information: no added sugar doesn’t mean sugar-free. If you’re taking yoghurt to a festival, keep it chilled; storage advice for plain dried fruit doesn’t automatically apply to a prepared yoghurt breakfast.
You’re looking for dried fruit to add to breakfast and want to check its organic certification and ingredients. Check added sugar and portion sizes separately too: the certification doesn’t answer all your questions about the nutritional information.
You want to take dried fruit with you and portion it out in advance. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If you mix the fruit with yoghurt beforehand, remember to keep the meal chilled too.
You’re buying for several people and want the pack size to match the amount you plan to share out. Manufacturers don’t all use the same portion size, so work out how much you need first.
Whether you’re choosing fruit for breakfast or a day at a festival, focus on the organic certification, ingredients, storage instructions and how much you need.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Verifiable organic certification | Look for the organic certification, control code and, where applicable, the EU organic logo. The European Commission explains when the logo is used. | If organic certification is your main reason for buying, you’ll want to be able to check it on the packaging. Shoppers who prioritise organic assurance account for around 29% of these buying choices. |
| Ingredients and sugar | Read both the ingredients list and the nutritional information, including total sugars. No added sugar doesn’t mean the product contains no sugar. | When adding fruit to breakfast, you’ll want to know what’s in it and whether sugar has been added. Shoppers who prioritise ingredients and sugar are estimated to account for around 29% of these buying choices. |
| Taking it with you and storage | Follow the storage instructions for the specific fruit variety. A breakfast with yoghurt needs to be kept chilled; the Voedingscentrum advises storing highly perishable food at 4 °C and throwing it away after 2 hours out of the fridge. | If you’re taking food with you for a festival day, you’ll want to know in advance how to transport and store it safely. Shoppers who prioritise storage and transport account for around 21% of these buying choices. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the net weight with the amount you want to portion out for yourself or a group. The portion sizes shown on labels can vary from product to product. | When shopping for a group, you’ll want to bring enough without buying more than you’ll use. Shoppers who prioritise quantity and avoiding leftovers are estimated to account for around 21% of these buying choices. |
Organic certification tells you something different from the amount of sugar in a product. The Voedingscentrum points out that dried fruit contains sugar even when no sugar has been added.
Read the ingredients and nutritional information separately, and decide in advance how much you plan to use.
The term ‘3-pack’ can describe a pack containing three products; it doesn’t mean there are three small portions for on the go.
Check the weight of each item and the type of packaging before choosing a multipack for a festival day.
A pack containing more than you need could leave you with leftovers that you’ll need to store according to the label.
Plain dried fruit and a prepared breakfast with yoghurt don’t have the same storage requirements. The Voedingscentrum advises keeping highly perishable food chilled.
Keep a yoghurt breakfast chilled and, if you prefer, store the dried fruit separately until you’re ready to eat.
The organic raisins and dried mango mentioned here have product information that includes organic certification and a control code.
The variety mentioned is Jumbo Sun-Dried Organic Sultana Raisins 250g.
The product title Belbake Organic Raisins refers to an organic raisin variety.
The Trader Joe’s Raisins mentioned are a 500 g raisin variety.
The BIO+ Sultana raisins mentioned are sold in a 250 g stand-up pouch.
The product listing for Bio+ Sultana Raisins identifies a 250 g pack.
These Joybuy products are organic dried fruit and related varieties for breakfast or portioning out in advance to take with you. Check the ingredients and any conditions for use for each product.
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These boxes could work well if you want to portion out the raisins in advance.
The product information lists 10 snack boxes of 14 g each and organic raisins with no added sugar.
According to the product information, suitable from 12 months; supervise children while they eat. Not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
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These dried dates could be a good choice if you’re looking for an organic fruit snack to take with you.
The product information lists 95% dates and 5% rice flour, with no added sugar.
According to the product information, suitable from 12 months; make sure young children are sitting upright and supervise them while they eat.
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The 250 g pack could be a good choice if you’re looking for raisins for breakfast or to portion out yourself.
The product information lists organic raisins and sunflower oil, with no added sugar.
According to the product description, a stem or pip may still be present despite cleaning.
No. If you’re choosing an organic product, look for its certification on the packaging. The European Commission explains that the EU organic logo is intended for certified organic products and is compulsory on pre-packaged food produced in the EU and sold there as organic.
No. The portion size on a label is the basis the manufacturer uses for product information. For dried fruit with no added sugar, the Voedingscentrum advises having no more than a handful, as it contains a lot of sugar. The raisin labels mentioned here show different portion sizes: 25 g for AH and PLUS, and 15 g for Jumbo.
Only if you can keep the yoghurt breakfast chilled appropriately. For highly perishable food, the Voedingscentrum advises storing it at 4 °C and throwing it away after 2 hours out of the fridge. So don’t use the storage advice for plain dried fruit as a storage time for a yoghurt breakfast.
No. Check for sulphites separately from the organic certification. Stichting Voedselallergie lists dried fruit as a possible source of high sulphite levels. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, and ask for product-specific information if anything is unclear.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that anyone selling food at markets and events must work safely and hygienically. A HACCP food safety plan is compulsory for anyone who prepares and sells food more than once a year. Businesses offering food to consumers must also provide information about any allergens present. These sales requirements don’t apply to festival-goers who are only bringing their own food.
