Choose dried fruit with verifiable organic certification details and no added sugar, and serve it as a small addition to a varied lunch. The serving suggestion on a pack isn't personalised advice for your child: adjust the amount to suit them, then choose between portioning it yourself or taking a single-serve pack with you.
You're looking for a sweet fruit addition to a varied lunch for your child, and want to keep the amount deliberately small. With a larger bag, you can portion it yourself. The Voedingscentrum recommends small amounts of dried fruit.
You want to identify organic production from the certification details on the exact product variant, not just from words such as ‘natural’ or a supermarket brand name. The European Commission explains that the EU organic logo is intended for certified organic products.
For a day out, you're weighing up whether a single-serve pack is convenient or whether you'd rather portion out a small amount yourself. For young children, it's important to follow the instructions for the specific product variant and supervise them while they eat.
First, check the organic certification details and ingredients. Then decide which portion size and type of packaging suit your child and how you'll be taking their lunch with you.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portion | Read the ingredients and distinguish added sugar from naturally occurring sugar. Don't automatically treat a serving suggestion on the pack as advice for a child. | I want to give dried fruit as a small addition without it crowding out the rest of the lunch. Around 31% of consumers give portion size and ingredients the highest priority. |
| Organic certification | Check the organic claim, the EU organic logo, and the relevant inspection and origin details for the exact product variant. | I want to be able to check that this particular pack is organically certified, rather than relying on a brand name or a general product range page. For around 25% of consumers, confidence in organic certification comes first. |
| Use and storage | Choose between portioning it yourself and taking a single-serve pack; follow the storage advice after opening, and keep dry raisins separate from moist lunch items until you're ready to eat. | I'm looking for something that's practical to portion at home, take with me or add to, for example, yoghurt with porridge oats. Around 19% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Individual considerations | Follow the age and usage instructions for the specific product variant. If your child has a known allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information. | If my child has a specific age-related, swallowing or allergy requirement, I want to be able to check it before buying. For around 13% of consumers, these individual requirements are decisive. |
| Cost with regular use | Compare the same type of product on the same weight basis, and consider whether you'll portion out a larger pack yourself or use individual servings. | If I use it regularly, I want to know which pack size suits the amount my child actually eats. Around 12% of consumers put affordability above other purchasing considerations. |
Organic certification tells you something about how a product is made, not how much to give a child. The Voedingscentrum recommends small amounts of dried fruit and favours fresh fruit for children.
Check the certification details and ingredients separately, and keep dried fruit as a small addition to lunch.
According to Milieu Centraal, BIO+ is an own-brand name, not an independent certification mark. The name alone doesn't confirm that a product is organically certified.
Look for the relevant organic certification mark and inspection details on the exact pack.
The products reviewed give different serving suggestions. These aren't interchangeable and don't constitute personalised advice for a child.
Adjust the amount to suit your child and the rest of their lunch; the Voedingscentrum recommends small amounts.
The product information for AH Organic Raisins includes organic certification details. This applies to that specific product variant, not all dried fruit products from Albert Heijn.
The organic sultanas are available in a larger bag; Jumbo also lists organic products for children separately. Check the product information for each variant.
The product information reviewed includes BIO+ Sultana raisins in a stand-up pouch and separate organic raisins for children.
Dirk lists Bio+ Sultana Raisins as a specific product. The organic claim relates to the product information and its associated certification mark, not the supermarket name.
Lidl Netherlands lists dried fruit in selected stores. This range listing alone doesn't confirm that a particular product variant is organically certified.
ALDI lists a standard variety of raisins and also has a general page for organic products. These two listings don't show that the standard raisins mentioned are organically certified.
This selection includes pre-packed fruit products for children, other types of dried fruit and loose sultanas. Check the ingredients, certification details and usage instructions for each product variant.
No image available
A good fit if you're looking for a separately packaged addition for a child. The product title says organic raisins; check the certification details on the pack.
The product information says it's suitable from 12 months and that children should be supervised while eating. Not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
No image available
A good fit if you're looking for a different type of dried fruit alongside raisins. The product information lists apricots, dates and bananas.
The product information says that it may contain traces of nuts.
No image available
A good fit if you're looking for a different type of dried fruit from raisins. The product title says organic dates and indicates it's suitable from 12 months.
According to the product information, the child should sit upright and be supervised while eating. Check the usage instructions on the pack.
No image available
A good fit if you'd like to portion out small amounts of raisins for lunch yourself. The product information lists EU Organic Farming; also check the certification details on the pack.
The product information lists raisins and sunflower oil, and recommends sealing the pack securely after opening. Occasionally, a stalk or stone may remain.
Check the organic claim and certification details on the exact pack. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo may be used on certified organic products; also look for the inspection code and details of the agricultural origin. Conditions apply to the use of the logo on imported products.
Not necessarily. The AH and Jumbo products reviewed give different serving suggestions, while the Voedingscentrum recommends small amounts for children. Adjust the amount to suit your child and the rest of the meal.
Serve them as a small part of a varied meal. The Voedingscentrum gives yoghurt with porridge oats, raisins and banana as a breakfast idea that can also work for lunch; dried fruit can also be served as a small addition in a separate compartment of a lunchbox.
Store dry raisins in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed pack, and follow the advice on the packaging too. The Voedingscentrum gives a storage time of 6–9 months in a kitchen cupboard for opened dry raisins. This doesn't automatically apply to raisins already mixed with yoghurt or other moist food.
Don't give a child lots of raisins at once, and stay with them while they eat, as they could choke. For the De Kleine Keuken 12+ product reviewed, the product information also gives an age indication of 12 months and over, and says children should sit upright while eating.
Read the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the exact pack, including for organic products and fruit and nut mixes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the requirements for clearly distinguishing relevant allergens in the ingredients list; organic certification doesn't replace this information.
