Households packing lunchboxes
Individual packs can go into a lunchbox or bag without portioning at home. Tesco lists a 12 × 14g raisin pack, while M&S lists 10 raisin snack boxes in a 140g pack.
Who is each format for?
Households portioning at home
A larger bag suits a weekly shop when you plan to divide dried fruit for meals or use it in baking. Check the fruit mix first: Sainsbury’s 1kg mixed dried fruit contains sultanas, raisins, currants and candied mixed peel.
Households checking portions and labels
Compare inner-pack weights with the NHS 30g dried-fruit reference for one 5 A Day portion. Read the exact product’s ingredients and allergen information, particularly when buying a mix for several people.
What should you check?
Start with where the dried fruit will be used, then check the amount in each portion and what the pack contains.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pack format | Check the number and weight of inner packs, or whether a larger bag needs portioning at home. Tesco lists 12 × 14g raisin packs; Sainsbury’s lists a 1kg mixed-fruit bag. | I want a pack I can put straight into a lunchbox, or a larger bag I can divide up for the week. |
| Portion weight | Read the net weight of each inner pack. The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion; one 14g box is below that amount. | If I am counting a dried-fruit portion towards 5 A Day, I need to look at grams rather than box count. |
| Ingredients | Read the full ingredient list and allergen information on the exact pack. Sainsbury’s mixed dried fruit includes candied peel; fruit-and-nut products are a different choice from plain fruit. | For a shared household pack, I want to know whether it contains only the fruit I expected or additional ingredients. |
| When it is eaten | The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay. | A small pack may be convenient for a packed lunch, but I still need to consider when it will be eaten. |
Common buying mistakes
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Counting every snack box as a full fruit portion
The NHS uses 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion. Tesco’s listed 14g raisin box is smaller than that reference amount.
Check the weight of an individual box rather than relying on the number of boxes in the outer pack.
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Assuming a mixed-fruit bag contains only plain fruit
Sainsbury’s listed mixed dried fruit contains candied mixed peel alongside sultanas, raisins and currants. Other fruit snacks may contain nuts or coatings.
Read the exact pack’s ingredients and allergen information before choosing it for the household.
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Treating a portable pack as an anytime snack
The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Consider whether a portion pack will be eaten as part of a packed lunch or another meal.
Brand and retailer ranges
These ranges illustrate different pack formats; check the individual product rather than assuming every item in a range has the same ingredients or portion size.
Whitworths
Whitworths lists single-fruit products as well as dried-fruit and fruit-and-nut multipacks.
- Its listed range includes a fruit variety multipack and other portioned formats.
- Check the ingredients and pack count of the particular product, especially when choosing a mix.
Tesco
Tesco lists both portioned raisin packs and larger dried-fruit bags.
- The listed Seedless Raisins 12 Pack contains twelve 14g portions.
- Check whether you want plain raisins or the ingredients of a larger mixed-fruit bag.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists mixed dried fruit in larger bag formats, including 500g and 1kg.
- The listed 1kg bag states 33 servings of 30g for households portioning fruit at home.
- Its mix contains candied peel, so it is not a substitute for plain raisins when those are what you need.
M&S
M&S lists raisin snack boxes alongside other dried-fruit and fruit-and-nut products.
- The listed Taste Buds pack contains 10 raisin snack boxes in a 140g outer pack.
- Check the current label when choosing between plain fruit and other fruit-snack varieties.
Joybuy dried-fruit options
These options include small packs for carrying in a bag or lunchbox and larger packs of dates for portioning at home. They are different fruits and formats, so compare the pack details before choosing.
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Organix Goodies Raisins 12+ Months, 12 × 14g
Twelve 14g packs can be put into lunchboxes without portioning from a larger bag. The product is labelled 12+ months; check the on-pack guidance when buying for a young child.
One 14g pack is below the NHS 30g dried-fruit reference for one 5 A Day portion.
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HETIAN-YVZAO Dried Hetian Date (Large), 500g × 2
Two 500g packs offer a larger dried-fruit format to portion at home. These are dates rather than raisins or mixed fruit, so check that they suit the meals or recipes you have planned.
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Three Squirrels Daily Blueberry Dried Snack, 16 × 16g
Sixteen 16g packs provide individual portions for bags or lunchboxes. Check the ingredient list if you are looking for plain dried fruit.
One 16g pack is below the NHS 30g dried-fruit reference for one 5 A Day portion.
Frequently asked questions
Does one small raisin box count as one of my 5 A Day?
Not if it contains less than 30g of dried fruit: the NHS uses 30g as one 5 A Day portion. Tesco’s listed 14g raisin boxes are below that amount, so check the weight of the individual box.
Can a portion pack be used in a packed lunch?
Yes, a portion pack can be packed with a meal. The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
How should I store a larger bag after opening?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before information on the exact pack. Check these when deciding whether a larger bag fits how often your household will use it.
Do I need to check the label if a snack is mainly fruit?
Yes. Sainsbury’s listed mixed dried fruit includes candied peel, and fruit-and-nut or coated snacks can contain other ingredients. Read the current ingredient list and allergen information on the particular pack, especially when buying for someone with an allergy or intolerance.