For a larger dried-fruit pack when fat is the deciding factor, compare plain raisins, sultanas and prunes before choosing a fruit-and-nut mix. Marks & Spencer lists 0.4g fat per 100g for its 500g raisins but 29.5g per 100g for its Fruit and Nuts mix; those figures describe specific products, not every pack in either category. Check the current fat figure, ingredients, allergens and storage directions for the pack you intend to buy.
A 500g or larger pack can supply repeated uses in porridge, cereal or recipes. If keeping fat low matters, compare the nutrition panels of plain fruit and fruit-and-nut mixes rather than relying on the word “fruit”.
Raisins, sultanas and prunes offer different ingredients for cooking or eating with meals. Read each pack’s ingredients and fat per 100g, especially when comparing plain fruit with candied or juice-infused blends.
If sulphites or nuts affect what your household can buy, check the exact pack before committing to a larger size. The Food Standards Agency notes that sulphites are often used in dried fruit, while some fruit mixes also contain nuts.
Start with fat per 100g and the ingredient list, then check whether the pack size and after-opening directions work for the way you will use it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat per 100g on the same basis. Marks & Spencer lists 0.4g per 100g for its 500g raisins and 29.5g per 100g for its Fruit and Nuts mix, which contains cashews, pecans and pistachios. | I want a larger pack of fruit without accidentally choosing a nut-containing mix when fat is my main comparison. |
| Ingredients and sugars | Read the full ingredients list for candied peel, syrup or juice-infused fruit, then compare total sugars per 100g. Sainsbury’s lists glucose-fructose syrup and sugar within the candied peel in its 500g Mixed Dried Fruit. | A mixed pack might suit my recipe, but I want to know what the mix contains rather than assume it is the same as plain raisins. |
| Portions | The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion. It advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce tooth-decay risk. | I use a large pack over several meals, so I want to measure out portions rather than treat the pack size as a serving size. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredient and allergen statements for sulphites and nuts. The Food Standards Agency notes that sulphites are often used in dried fruit; individual mixes differ. | If someone in my household needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check this particular pack before buying it in bulk. |
| Storage | Read both unopened and after-opening directions. Tesco advises keeping its 500g seedless raisins cool and dry, then using an airtight container once opened. | I want to know how I will store the pack between baking sessions or breakfasts. |
Nuts change the comparison: Marks & Spencer lists 29.5g fat per 100g for its Fruit and Nuts mix, against 0.4g per 100g for its 500g raisins.
If fat is your priority, check for nuts in the ingredients and compare the two packs’ fat figures per 100g.
Whether sugar was added is different from the total sugars shown in the nutrition table. Tesco lists 62.6g sugars per 100g for its seedless raisins.
Check total sugars as well as added ingredients. For portions, the NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion and advises eating it at mealtimes.
The Food Standards Agency identifies sulphites as ingredients often used in dried fruit. Some fruit-and-nut mixes also contain nuts, so the name alone does not establish suitability.
Read the ingredient and allergen information on the current pack, including when buying a product you have used before.
These examples show why the individual product label matters more than a general assumption about a brand’s dried-fruit range.
Tesco Seedless Raisins 500G is a plain-raisin example for shoppers comparing larger ingredient packs.
Sainsbury’s lists larger raisin packs as well as mixed dried fruit for baking.
M&S provides a clear example of how plain raisins and fruit-and-nut snacks can differ.
Sunsweet Stoned Prunes 500G is a prune option to compare with raisins when choosing a larger pack.
Whitworths lists raisins, prune multipacks, fruit variety multipacks and fruit-and-nut mixes.
These Joybuy options cover 500g raisin and sultana packs alongside pitted prune packs of 500g or 700g. Check each product’s current nutrition and ingredient label when fat content or added ingredients determine your choice.
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A 500g raisin pack to consider for repeated use in baking or breakfasts. Joybuy’s product information says to store it in a cool, dry place; compare its current fat and sugars figures with other packs on the same per-100g basis.
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A 500g sultana pack for shoppers choosing dried fruit for recipes or breakfast. If fat or ingredients are decisive, compare the current pack label with the raisin options rather than assuming the figures are identical.
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A 500g prune option if you want dried plums rather than raisins for meals or cooking. Check the current ingredients, fat per 100g and any warning about occasional pit fragments before use.
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A 500g pitted-prune pack to compare with plain fruit options. Joybuy lists plums at 99% and low-polymer isomaltose in the ingredients, so check that ingredient if you want a prune product without an added sweetening ingredient.
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A 700g prune pack if a larger size suits your planned use. Its fruit-juice packing may matter for recipes calling for dry fruit; check the current ingredients and after-opening refrigeration directions before choosing it.
No special wording is needed to compare packs: read fat per 100g and the ingredients. Marks & Spencer lists 0.4g fat per 100g for its 500g raisins and 29.5g per 100g for its separate Fruit and Nuts mix. Those are product-specific figures, so check the pack you intend to buy.
The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one portion, equivalent to around 80g of fresh fruit. It advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Yes, particularly if sulphites affect what you can buy. The Food Standards Agency notes that sulphur dioxide and sulphites are often used in dried fruit; read the current ingredient and allergen statement for the specific pack rather than relying on its fruit name.
Follow the directions on the particular pack. Tesco advises transferring its opened Seedless Raisins 500G to an airtight container, while the Tesco listing for Sunsweet Stoned Prunes 500G advises refrigeration after opening for best quality.