Choose a certified organic product that suits the children’s ability to eat safely, and keep portions small. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that raisins can pose a choking risk. Then choose between small boxes, a bag you can portion yourself or raisins you can also use at breakfast.
When planning a children’s party, it’s important to consider children’s ability to eat safely, food sensitivities and small portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises supervising children while they eat raisins and recommends asking about allergies and other dietary restrictions beforehand.
An organic claim should apply to the exact product you’re buying. The European Commission explains that the EU organic logo may only be displayed on products certified as organic by an approved control body.
If you want to divide a bag between party treats or use some of the raisins at breakfast, check the pack size, ingredients and storage instructions.
Choose these if: you want ready-portioned treats to hand out.
Bear in mind: a small pack doesn’t prevent choking; follow the instructions for that specific product and supervise children.
Choose this if: you want to make small portions yourself or save the rest for later.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to portion the raisins yourself; a portion size shown on the pack isn’t a general recommended portion for children.
Choose these if: you’d also like to add raisins to porridge, for example, as well as serving them at the party.
Bear in mind: the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit; raisins are no substitute for fresh fruit.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Safe eating and sensitivities | Ability to eat safely, any age guidance, supervision, and ingredient and allergen information. | If I’m handing out treats to children with different levels of eating ability, I want to know what the label says and stay with them; around 20% of consumers prioritise safe eating and food sensitivities. |
| Organic certification | The EU organic logo, control code and origin statement on the pack of the product you’ve chosen. | If I want to know what the organic claim is based on, I check the certification for the exact product; around 20% of consumers prioritise verifiable organic certification. |
| Small portions | Ingredients, nutritional values and the amount you actually serve. | If I want to serve a modest treat, I’ll keep the portion deliberately small; around 20% of consumers prioritise portion size and nutritional information. |
| Ready to hand out or portion yourself | Net weight, any individual packaging and the instructions for the specific product. | If I want to keep preparation to a minimum, I look for a convenient format; around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of handing out treats. |
| Quantity and using up leftovers | Compare the price per equivalent unit of weight, work out how much you need and follow the storage instructions. | If I want to use any leftovers after the party, I consider the quantity and how I plan to use them; around 20% of consumers prioritise cost, suitable quantities and making use of leftovers. |
Raisins can pose a choking risk, even if a product is described as organic or intended for children.
Don’t serve too many at once, supervise children and follow the instructions for the specific product. Ask about food sensitivities beforehand.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends small portions of dried fruit because it contains a lot of sugar. An organic claim doesn’t change that.
Keep the treat small, and don’t let dried fruit take the place of fresh fruit.
A description that sounds organic doesn’t, by itself, tell you what certification information applies to the exact pack.
Check the EU organic logo, control code and origin statement on the product. The European Commission describes certification by an approved control body.
A product’s stated portion size or an adult reference intake isn’t automatically suitable for children.
Decide how much to serve yourself and compare packs on the same weight basis.
These examples relate to specific product ranges and aren’t recommendations for a supermarket’s entire range.
AH Organic Raisins 250 g is an option if you want to portion the raisins into small servings yourself.
Jumbo Organic Sun-Dried Sultana Raisins 250 g is a bag you can portion yourself.
Belbake Organic Raisins is a product to look out for within the stated supermarket selection.
Aldi’s official product page describes Trader Joe’s Raisins 500 g as dried grapes.
PLUS sells De Kleine Keuken 12+ Organic Raisins, 140 g, with usage instructions specific to the product.
Dirk lists Bio+ Sultana Raisins 250 g as an option to portion yourself.
This selection includes raisins, dates and a mixed fruit snack. For each specific product, check that the organic claim and usage instructions suit your needs.
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This version of the raisins comes in small boxes, which may suit you if you want ready-portioned servings. The product information says they’re suitable from 12 months and that children should be supervised; not suitable for children with swallowing difficulties.
Check the pack for organic certification information for this exact product.
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This is a date product, not raisins, so choose it only if you’re specifically looking for a date snack. The product information says it’s suitable from 12 months, with the child sitting upright and supervised while eating.
Check the pack for organic certification information for this exact product.
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This mixed fruit snack may suit you if you’re looking for something other than just raisins. The product information says it’s suitable from 12 months and warns that it may contain traces of nuts.
If you have an allergy, check the information on the pack of the product you’re buying.
No. The European Commission describes certification by an approved control body; the EU organic logo appears alongside a control code and an origin statement. The AH and Jumbo products reviewed list TR-BIO-154 and TR-BIO-132 respectively.
First consider whether the child can manage the texture safely. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns about choking and advises not giving too many at once and staying with the child. The instructions for the PLUS product reviewed say it’s suitable from 12 months, with the child sitting upright and supervised.
Ask about food sensitivities beforehand and check the label on the pack you’ll actually be handing out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. The Food Allergy Foundation describes sulphites as a possible cause of intolerance reactions and notes that they can be found in dried fruit.
Follow the instructions on your pack. For the Jumbo product reviewed, the instructions say to store it in a cool, dry, dark place; Jumbo suggests adding raisins to porridge. Don’t assume there’s a set shelf life after opening if it isn’t stated on the pack.
Compare the current price per equivalent unit of weight and choose an amount that matches what you’ll actually use. A lower price per pack doesn’t necessarily mean a product is better value for you.
