Choose an individually portioned pack if you want to know how much dried fruit you are opening: UK government guidance uses 30g as one dried-fruit portion, while a smaller pack suits a lighter nibble. Check the exact ingredients and allergen statements, particularly for fruit mixes. If this is a regular between-meal tea break, factor in NHS dental guidance to keep dried fruit to mealtimes.
Individual packs make it easier to choose an amount before opening one. Compare the weight on each pack with the 30g dried-fruit portion used in UK government guidance; a smaller pack may be enough when you only want a nibble.
Plain raisins and mixed fruit snacks can have quite different ingredient lists. Check the exact variant for ingredients and warnings relevant to you, including sulphites or allergens in coated and fruit-and-nut mixes.
Pack size is not the only consideration if dried fruit is your usual afternoon snack. NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes, so the timing of your break may change what you choose.
Start with the weight of one pack, then compare its ingredients and warnings. Consider when you plan to eat it as well as what is inside.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Read the weight of each individual pack, not just the multipack total. UK government guidance uses 30g of dried fruit as one portion; smaller packs contain less than that reference amount. | I want to pick up one pack for my break without measuring from a larger bag. A smaller amount may suit me better than a full 30g portion. |
| Ingredients | Compare the exact ingredient lists for plain fruit, sweetened fruit and coated mixes. Marks & Spencer lists sweetened dried strawberries with concentrated apple juice in its Sultanas and Strawberries mix. | If I want plain dried fruit, I would rather check the ingredients than decide from a fruit picture on the front. |
| Allergen information | Read the current label for the specific flavour. Examples in the listed ranges include sulphur dioxide, nut, peanut and sesame warnings, and milk, soya or wheat/gluten ingredients in some mixes. | A different flavour in the same range might not meet my ingredient or allergen requirements. |
| Snack timing | Consider whether the pack is for a meal or a between-meal break. NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit and other sugary snacks to mealtimes. | For a frequent afternoon break between meals, I want to consider a different snack rather than choosing dried fruit on pack size alone. |
Some mixes include sweetened fruit or other ingredients. Marks & Spencer lists sweetened strawberries in its Sultanas and Strawberries mix, while Whitworths Shots varieties include ingredients beyond fruit.
If you want plain dried fruit, read the ingredient list for the exact product rather than relying on the front-of-pack description.
Ingredients and allergen statements can change across a range. The Joybuy listing for Whitworths Sunny Fruit Mix-Ups Apricots & Mango names sulphur dioxide; Marks & Spencer labels Orchard Fruits Medley unsuitable for people with nut, peanut or sesame allergies.
Check the current pack label each time, especially when switching from plain fruit to a mix.
NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes. An individually wrapped pack does not change that advice.
If your tea break regularly falls between meals, consider fresh fruit, vegetables or a savoury alternative instead.
The weight of a whole bag may be quite different from the 30g dried-fruit portion used in UK government guidance.
Check the individual pack weight, or measure an amount from a larger bag if you want to use that portion reference.
These examples help distinguish pack formats and ingredient lists; a brand name alone does not tell you what is in a particular flavour.
Whitworths lists individually portioned raisins and fruit mixes, including a 1DERS variety pack with 30g apricot and mango packs.
Tesco lists dried fruit and fruit snacks in different formats, including Seedless Raisins 12 Pack 168g and Whitworths Sunny Fruit Mix-Ups 4 x 18g.
Sainsbury's lists Whitworths Sunny Raisins as a six-pack of individually portioned 30g packs.
Marks & Spencer lists raisin snack boxes and fruit mixes, including Taste Buds Sultanas and Strawberries.
These Joybuy options are small packs of raisins or freeze-dried fruit for comparing lighter tea-break amounts. Check the exact pack label before choosing an ingredient profile.
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Each 14g pack provides a measured amount for a smaller tea-break nibble. UK government guidance uses 30g as one dried-fruit portion; NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes.
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The 10g mango pack is an option when you want a small amount at your tea break, rather than the 30g dried-fruit portion used in UK government guidance. For a regular between-meal snack, consider NHS dental advice to keep dried fruit to mealtimes.
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This 10g peach pack offers a small, specified amount for a tea break. It is less than the 30g dried-fruit portion used in UK government guidance, and NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes.
UK government guidance uses 30g of dried fruit as one portion, roughly equivalent to 80g of fresh fruit by weight. A 14g or 18g grab bag contains less than that 30g reference amount, so check the weight of the individual pack rather than the multipack total.
NHS dental guidance advises keeping dried fruit to mealtimes rather than eating it as a between-meal snack. If your afternoon break regularly falls between meals, consider fresh fruit, vegetables or a savoury alternative.
Not always. Sainsbury's lists Whitworths Sunny Raisins as raisins (99%) and sunflower oil, while Marks & Spencer lists sweetened dried strawberries with concentrated apple juice in its Sultanas and Strawberries mix. Read the ingredients for the exact pack if you want plain fruit.
Check the exact pack's ingredients and allergen statements against your requirements. Listed examples include sulphur dioxide in an apricot-and-mango mix, a nut, peanut and sesame suitability warning on Marks & Spencer Orchard Fruits Medley, and milk, soya or wheat/gluten ingredients in some Whitworths Shots varieties.