People putting together party platters
You’re looking for fruit to serve as it is or use to make filled bites. Pitted dates and unsweetened mango offer different options; if you’re adding a filling, check its ingredients too.
Who is organic dried fruit suitable for?
Label-conscious snack buyers
You want to check the organic labelling and ingredients for the specific product. Check the information about sugar and other ingredients separately too: organic doesn’t mean sugar-free.
Buyers looking for fruit for drinks and breakfast
You want to use fruit both with drinks and, for example, at breakfast. Check the ingredients, pack size and storage advice to make sure they suit what you’ll actually use.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide how you want to serve the fruit, then check the organic labelling, ingredients and practical warnings on the pack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic labelling | Check the product labelling and, where present, the EU organic logo and the code number of the inspection body. | If I’m buying organic, I want to be able to check the labelling on the product. Around 25% of consumers say verifiable organic origin is their top purchasing priority. |
| How you’ll serve it | Choose between fruit to serve as it is and fruit you want to fill; if you’re making filled bites, check the filling ingredients too. | I want to know in advance whether I can serve the fruit as it is or need to prepare it first. Around 25% of consumers say their preferred party-food preparation is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and portions | Read the ingredients list and nutritional information separately; a serving size shown on the pack is product information, not personal dietary advice. | If I’m keeping an eye on what’s been added and how much I want to serve, I want to be able to assess that information separately. Around 19% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portions. |
| Use and pack size | Choose an amount that suits your drinks gathering and any breakfast use; follow the storage advice for the product you choose. | I want a pack I can use for more than one occasion, without buying more than I need. Around 19% of consumers say versatility and a suitable quantity are their top priorities. |
| Allergens and foreign objects | Check the allergen information and warnings about stones, stalks or small stones before serving or preparing the fruit. | If I’m choosing for someone with a food allergy, I want to check the information on the current label and look out for any foreign objects. Around 12% of consumers prioritise checking for allergens. |
Common pitfalls when buying dried fruit
-
Assuming organic means sugar-free
Organic labelling doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains or whether any sugar has been added. For BIO+ Sultana raisins, PLUS lists 68.2 grams of sugars per 100 grams and says these are naturally occurring sugars only.
Check the ingredients and nutritional values separately, and decide in advance how much you want to serve.
-
Assuming ‘pitted’ guarantees there won’t be any stones left
Albert Heijn warns that a stone may still remain in the pitted dates reviewed. According to the product information, stalks or small stones may be present in the Jumbo raisins reviewed. The AH product also states that it may contain peanuts and nuts.
Check the fruit before filling or serving it, and review the allergen information for every part of a party bite.
-
Treating the serving size on the pack as dietary advice
A serving size describes information about that product and isn’t automatically a daily dietary recommendation.
Keep the product information separate from the amount you choose to serve when putting together a sharing board.
-
Choosing a large pack without a plan for using it
Pack sizes and storage advice vary. The largest pack won’t necessarily suit how much you’ll use for drinks and breakfast.
Think in advance about how you want to use the fruit, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes organic products in a range of fruit varieties, including pitted dates, unsweetened mango and raisins.
- The product information for the mango lists dried mango as the ingredient, 0 g of added sugars per 100 g and the EU organic code IT-BIO-009. The raisins are listed with the EU organic code TR-BIO-154.
- For the pitted dates reviewed, Albert Heijn mentions that stones may remain and that the product may contain peanuts and nuts. This warning applies to that product.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes an organic option of sun-dried sultana raisins in a 250 g pack.
- The product information lists raisins and sunflower oil from organic sources, as well as the European organic logo with code TR-BIO-132.
- Jumbo warns that stalks or small stones may be present in these raisins. The product information lists sunflower oil as well as raisins.
PLUS
According to the product information, PLUS offers BIO+ Sultana raisins in a 250 g stand-up pouch.
- PLUS displays the labels Organic and EU Organic Farming. According to the product page, the ingredients are 99% raisins, with sunflower oil; both are from organic sources.
- The product page lists 68.2 g of sugars per 100 g. Saying that the sugars are naturally occurring doesn’t mean the product is sugar-free.
Products at Joybuy
This Joybuy selection includes dried fruit for drinks and snack occasions; some product titles mention an organic designation. Before buying, check the organic information, ingredients and any age or allergen warnings for each product.
No image available
Ella's Kitchen BIO Prunes 4M+ 70GR
Could be suitable if you’re looking for a date-based snack with no added sugar; check the age information before choosing it for a child.
The product name says 4M+, while the usage information says from 12 months. Follow the age guidance on the pack, supervise children while they eat and don’t use the product for children with swallowing difficulties.
No image available
Haoxiangni Grade 2 Fresh-Locked Pitted Red Dates Original Flavour 280g
Could be suitable if you want to serve red dates as a snack; check the ingredients and organic product information if these are important to your choice.
The product name describes pitted red dates in a 280 g pack.
No image available
De Kleine Keuken Organic raisins 12M+ 140g
Could be suitable if you want to serve raisins in small portions; check the organic labelling and the current label.
The product name states Organic raisins, 12M+ and 140 g. The usage information says suitable from 12 months, with supervision while eating, and advises against use for children with swallowing difficulties.
No image available
De Kleine Keuken Organic Fruitjes with Apricots 20 g
Could be suitable if you’re looking for a small fruit snack; check the organic information and ingredients on the pack.
The product title mentions apricots and 20 g. The product information says it may contain traces of nuts and is suitable from 12 months; supervise children while they eat.
No image available
B+ Sultana Raisins - 250 g
Could be suitable if you want to use raisins both with drinks and in breakfast cereal; check the product page to see whether the organic designation meets your requirements.
The product name states sultana raisins and 250 g. Check the ingredients list and follow the storage advice on the label.
The product information warns that a stalk or small stone may remain despite checks.
Frequently asked questions about organic dried fruit
How can I check whether dried fruit is organic?
Check the organic labelling on the specific product and, where present, look for the EU organic logo and the inspection body’s code number. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may only be used on certified organic products; a natural-looking appearance alone is not proof of certification.
Is unsweetened dried fruit sugar-free?
No, unsweetened doesn’t automatically mean sugar-free. AH Biologisch Mango gedroogd & ongezoet lists 0 g of added sugars per 100 g, while the product information for BIO+ Sultana raisins at PLUS lists 68.2 g of sugars per 100 g. Check both the ingredients and nutritional information for each product.
Can I use the serving size on the pack as dietary advice?
Not necessarily. A serving size describes information about that product and isn’t automatically a daily dietary recommendation. Keep the information on the pack separate from the amount you choose to serve.
What should I look out for when serving someone with an allergy?
Check the allergen information on the current label for the fruit and for any fillings or other parts of the snack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label; organic labelling doesn’t replace this information.
How should I store dried fruit left over after a drinks gathering?
Follow the storage advice for the specific product. The BIO+ and Jumbo raisins reviewed say to store in a cool, dry and dark place; the AH mango instructions say to store at room temperature in a dark place. Don’t automatically apply advice for one type of fruit to another.