Shoppers looking for low-fat organic snacks
You’re looking for organic dried fruit that’s low in fat, so you check the nutrition table rather than relying only on a search term or packaging claim.
Who is this relevant to?
Snackers mindful of portion size
For you, a lighter snack is mainly about choosing an amount that suits the occasion. The amount you actually eat matters just as much as the fat content.
Regular shoppers of organic groceries
You want to pick up a suitable option as part of your usual shop, taking into account organic credentials, packaging and how easy it is to buy. In 2023, Motivaction reported that daily and weekly grocery shopping is often routine; the research was not specifically about dried fruit.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing organic dried fruit for a snack, it helps to assess fat, nutritional values per portion, organic labelling and pack size separately.
Organic raisins in a standard bag
A good fit if: you want to decide for yourself how many raisins to eat and prefer a standard bag.
Bear in mind: the bag does not divide the contents into portions, so you’ll need to weigh them yourself if that matters to you.
Organic raisins in small boxes
A good fit if: a pre-measured amount matters more to you than a standard bag.
Bear in mind: the De Kleine Keuken option mentioned is intended for children aged 12 months and over; follow the instructions on sitting upright and supervision.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Which consumers is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content and reduction | Check the fat per 100 g; treat a claim about a reduced content as a comparison with similar products. | I want a low absolute fat value, but don’t want to mistake it for a proven reduction; around 33% of consumers prioritise fat content. |
| Organic labelling | Check the organic label and applicable certification mark on the packaging; look for the origin statement on each product. | I want the organic status to be verifiable, rather than simply suggested by the product’s appearance; around 27% of consumers prioritise assurance that a product is organic. |
| Portion, sugars and energy | Compare energy and sugars per 100 g and per portion; check the net weight too. | I want to choose a snack portion that suits the occasion, rather than looking at fat alone; around 27% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Packaging and convenience | Check the net weight and storage instructions; check the retailer if home delivery is important to you. | I want to fit dried fruit into my usual shop without an awkward pack size; around 13% of consumers place most importance on packaging and convenience when buying. |
Common purchasing mistakes
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Confusing low fat with low energy
Alongside their fat values, Jumbo and PLUS also list energy and sugars. A low fat figure alone doesn’t tell you how much energy or sugar a portion contains.
Check energy and total sugars alongside fat, and compare the values with the amount you actually eat.
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Treating a low fat figure as proof of ‘reduced fat’
The Netherlands Bakery Centre defines a reduced nutrient content as at least 30% less than in similar products. A standalone fat value per 100 g does not prove this comparison.
Assess a reduction claim by comparing it with similar products; don’t infer one from a low absolute value.
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Assuming naturally occurring sugars mean sugar-free
PLUS lists 68.2 g of sugars per 100 g for BIO+ Sultana raisins and states that these occur naturally. This description does not mean the product contains no sugars.
Check both the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information, and pay attention to the amount per portion.
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Comparing packs without taking their contents into account
The Jumbo and BIO+ standard bags contain 250 g; the Joybuy listing for the small De Kleine Keuken boxes gives a total of 140 g. Looking only at the total pack size makes portions difficult to compare.
Compare packs on the same weight basis and choose a size that suits how you’ll use the product and its storage instructions.
Supermarket brands for comparison
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s category overview includes AH organic raisins, pineapple and a fruit and almond mix.
- The range includes different types of organic dried fruit, including dried, unsweetened pineapple.
- ‘Organic’ or ‘unsweetened’ on its own tells you nothing about the fat content of a specific product; check its nutrition table.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 250 g pack of Organic Sun-Dried Sultana Raisins.
- The product information lists 0.5 g of fat per 100 g and the European Organic Logo, with the designation TR-BIO-132 and Non-EU Agriculture.
- This product-specific value does not prove a reduction in fat compared with similar products.
PLUS
PLUS lists both a standard 250 g bag of BIO+ Sultana raisins and a separate De Kleine Keuken product.
- For the BIO+ standard bag, PLUS lists 0.8 g of fat and 68.2 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The De Kleine Keuken boxes are a different product, intended for children aged 12 months and over; follow the instructions on sitting upright and supervision.
Dirk
Dirk identifies a 250 g pack of Bio+ Sultana raisins.
- The product name helps you identify the pack as a separate Bio+ option.
- Dirk does not mention a delivery service; bear this in mind if home delivery is important to you.
Lidl
The Lidl product page lists dried fruit at selected stores.
- The page states that the product is available at selected stores.
- The general description ‘dried fruit’ is not an organic product label; check the specific packaging.
Aldi
ALDI Netherlands lists Trader Joe’s raisins in a 500 g pack.
- The 500 g pack size is relevant when comparing larger packs.
- The product name alone does not confirm organic status or a reduction in fat; check the specific packaging.
Joybuy products
This selection includes organic raisins and dates, with options for children aged 12 months and over. As well as the nutritional values, check the age guidance and instructions for use.
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De Kleine Keuken organic raisins 12M+ 140 g
The product listing describes organic raisins in individual boxes, a good option if you want to measure out portions in advance.
Joybuy lists 10 boxes of 14 g each, 140 g in total.
Intended for children aged 12 months and over; make sure the child is sitting upright and supervise them while they eat.
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De Kleine Keuken organic dates 12+
The product description presents these organic dates as a snack; Joybuy lists 0.0 g of fat and 61.0 g of sugars per 100 g.
Intended for children aged 12 months and over; make sure the child is sitting upright and supervise them while they eat.
Frequently asked questions
Can you automatically call a low-fat product ‘reduced fat’?
No. For solid foods, the European Commission defines the claim ‘low fat’ as a maximum of 3 g of fat per 100 g. The Netherlands Bakery Centre defines a reduced nutrient content as at least 30% less than in similar products. A low absolute fat value does not prove this comparison.
Must organic dried fruit always have a Dutch organic code?
No, don’t use a Dutch code as a universal requirement. Jumbo lists TR-BIO-132 and Non-EU Agriculture for its organic raisins. Skal Biocontrole states that the EU logo is mandatory for prepacked foods produced in the EU and sold as organic.
How much dried fruit is suitable for a portion-conscious snack?
The World Cancer Research Fund advises eating no more than 20 g of dried fruit a day because of its concentrated sugar content. This is dietary advice, not a legal product limit; the portion stated on a pack may differ.
Are small boxes of organic raisins suitable for every child?
De Kleine Keuken raisins are intended for children aged 12 months and over. The product instructions say that the child must sit upright and be supervised; a portion-sized box does not replace these requirements.
How should you store the raisins mentioned?
Follow the storage instructions on your own pack. Jumbo and PLUS say to store the raisins mentioned in a cool, dry, dark place.