Choose organic dried fruit whose certification and ingredients you can check on the label, and weigh out a small portion in advance. Raisins and dates differ in how they’re used and what they contain; organic doesn’t mean sugar-free. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; this is nutritional advice, not a legal limit on what you can buy.
You’re looking for a small sweet treat with your afternoon coffee and want to check its organic origins using the EU organic logo and the relevant inspection details. The European Commission explains that the logo may only be used on certified organic products.
You want to check the ingredients and sugar content, and weigh out a small amount. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 grams of dried fruit a day; bear this in mind if you also have some at breakfast.
You want one pack for small coffee-break snacks and possibly breakfast too. Check the net weight and storage advice for the specific product, such as the instructions for BIO+ at PLUS.
A good choice if: you want to weigh out small portions or add raisins to breakfast too.
Bear in mind: the organic raisins reviewed also contain sunflower oil; check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
A good choice if: you’d rather have a whole piece of fruit as a coffee-break snack.
Bear in mind: the label on the AH dates reviewed lists 59 g of sugars per 100 g and warns that they may contain stones, peanuts and nuts.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic origins | Check the EU organic logo, inspection code and stated agricultural origin. The European Commission links use of the logo to organic certification. | If I buy organic for my coffee break, I want to be able to check the product’s origins on the packaging. Around 34% of consumers put verifiable organic origins at the top of their list when shopping. |
| Sugars and portion size | Read the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. AH lists 59 g of sugars per 100 g for the dates reviewed; Jumbo lists 75.5 g for its organic sultana raisins. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day. | I don’t want to confuse organic with sugar-free, so I’d rather weigh out a small amount in advance. Around 33% of consumers put portioning with sugar in mind at the top of their list. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a net weight that suits how you’ll use the product, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. BIO+ at PLUS recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place. | For coffee and breakfast, I want a pack that suits how much I use and storage advice I can follow. Around 25% of consumers prioritise everyday use and managing their supplies. |
| Allergens and stones | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. The NVWA explains that allergens are listed in the ingredients; specific warnings vary by product. | If certain allergens matter to me, I check the warnings and look out for any stones left in pitted fruit. Around 8% of consumers make ingredient safety their top buying priority. |
An organic certification says nothing about the amount of sugar in a product. The label on AH Biologisch Pitted Dried Dates lists 59 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition table, and weigh out a small portion in advance. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
The labels reviewed list portions of 25 g for raisins and 50 g for AH dates. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day.
Treat the portion shown on the label as product information, not personal daily advice. Weigh out the amount you choose.
AH warns that its organic dates may contain stones, peanuts and various nuts.
Read the warnings and allergen information on the packaging. Check dates for any stones left behind before eating them.
The AH Biologisch range reviewed includes 250 g packs of raisins and 500 g packs of pitted dried dates, for a small snack or as an addition to breakfast.
Jumbo Sun-Dried Sultana Raisins Organic 250g is an organic raisin variety in a 250 g pack.
Lidl provides product information for Belbake Organic Raisins, an option in the requested category.
ALDI lists Trader Joe’s Raisins 500 g as a product made from dried grapes.
PLUS lists BIO+ Sultana Raisins in a 250 g stand-up pouch. BIO+ is the product name, not a claim that it’s a PLUS own-brand product.
Dirk lists Bio+ Sultana Raisins 250 g as a product in the requested shopping selection.
This selection includes raisins and dates labelled organic, as well as other types of dried fruit as snack options. Check the ingredients and organic labelling in the product information for each item; these vary by product.
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For anyone looking for small portions of raisins with their coffee; the product information mentions 14 g snack boxes.
The product information lists organic raisins and no sulphites. The title says 12M+; supervise children while they’re eating. Not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
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For anyone who’d rather have dates as a snack with their coffee; the product information describes mini dates in snack boxes.
The ingredients list names dates and rice flour. Nutritional information is provided per 14 g. The title says 12+; supervise children while they’re eating.
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For anyone who wants to have raisins with coffee or add them to breakfast; the product information mentions both uses.
The ingredients are organic raisins and sunflower oil. The pack contains 250 g. The product information says that a stalk or pip may remain despite cleaning.
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For anyone looking for a different type of dried fruit to snack on alongside raisins and dates.
The ingredient information lists 95% guava, sugar and a preservative. The pack contains 180 g.
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For anyone who wants to enjoy dried strawberries as a snack or use them as a topping for yoghurt and desserts.
The ingredients include dried strawberries and sugar. The pack contains 50 g; the product information says you can reseal the pack after opening.
The EU organic logo may only be used on products certified as organic. Also check the inspection code and the stated agricultural origin on the label.
Not automatically. The Voedingscentrum recommends eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day, while the product labels reviewed list portions of 25 g and 50 g. Weigh out the amount you choose, and include any dried fruit you eat at breakfast in your daily total.
The product information for the AH Biologisch Pitted Dried Dates reviewed doesn’t list soaking as a required step. Follow any preparation instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.
Follow the advice for the specific product. BIO+ at PLUS recommends storing it in a cool, dry, dark place; AH Biologisch Pitted Dried Dates gives the same advice and states that the product has a limited shelf life after opening.
No. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information. The packaging for AH Biologisch Pitted Dried Dates states that the product may contain peanuts and various nuts; organic certification doesn’t replace this information.
