Regular breakfast and baking users
If you use dried fruit several times a week in porridge, yoghurt or recipes, a larger pack may suit your routine. Check that you can store it as directed and use it while it remains in good condition.
Who is a larger pack for?
People comparing fat content
Look at the nutrition panel for the particular pack, especially when choosing between plain dried fruit, mixed fruit and products with other ingredients. Compare per-100g figures where available rather than assuming similar names mean similar contents.
People who need to check sulphites
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for each product. The Food Standards Agency says sulphur dioxide and sulphites are used in some dried fruit and that people with asthma have a higher risk of reaction.
What should you check?
Start with the fruit and ingredients you want, then choose a pack size that fits how often you will use it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and ingredients | Compare fat per 100g where both packs provide it. Read the ingredients for oils, nuts, coatings and other additions. | I want dried fruit that fits my low-fat eating plan, without treating a fruit mix as identical to plain fruit. |
| Pack size and storage | Match the pack weight to how often you use that fruit. Check the storage directions, including what to do after opening. | A larger bag works for me only if I can store it properly and use it while it remains in good condition. |
| Portions and mealtimes | 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 would rather measure a portion for breakfast or another meal than repeatedly eat from a large bag. |
| Sulphites and allergens | Read the current ingredients and product-specific allergen statements. The Food Standards Agency identifies sulphites as an ingredient used in some dried fruit. | If sulphites or other allergens matter to me, I need to check the particular pack, not just its fruit type. |
What can go wrong with a bulk buy?
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Buying more than you will use
A larger bag needs suitable storage once opened. Tesco directs buyers of its 1kg mixed fruit to keep it in an airtight container after opening.
Choose a pack weight that fits your usual cooking or breakfast routine, and follow the directions on that pack.
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Assuming a fruit mix contains only fruit
M&S Mixed Dried Fruit lists sunflower oil, while Whitworths Mixed Fruit lists candied peel, a preservative and sunflower oil. Their ingredients differ from those of a single-fruit product.
Read the full ingredients list and compare nutrition figures on the same per-100g basis when fat content matters to your choice.
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Eating straight from a large bag
The NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion and advises having dried fruit at mealtimes to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Measure the amount you plan to use and add it to a meal rather than repeatedly taking handfuls from the pack.
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Overlooking the current allergen information
The Food Standards Agency says sulphites are used in some dried fruit and identifies a higher risk of reaction for people with asthma. Individual packs may carry other suitability statements.
Check the label of the product you receive, including its ingredients and allergen information, rather than relying on an earlier listing.
Relevant brand and retailer ranges
Tesco
Tesco lists 1kg sultanas, seedless raisins, mixed fruit and ready-to-eat prunes, offering several fruit types in larger packs.
- Tesco publishes 0.2g fat per 30g for its Wholefood Ready To Eat Prunes 1kg.
- For a different Tesco fruit or pack, check its own nutrition panel and ingredients rather than applying the prune figures to it.
M&S
M&S lists 500g raisin and mixed-dried-fruit packs with ingredient and nutrition information.
- Its Mixed Dried Fruit and Raisins each list 0.4g fat per 100g.
- The 500g Mixed Dried Fruit contains sunflower oil, so check whether its ingredients suit the recipe or eating plan you have in mind.
Whitworths
Whitworths offers individual dried fruits and a Mixed Fruit product aimed at uses such as baking.
- Whitworths lists 0.7g fat per 100g for its Mixed Fruit.
- That mix includes candied peel, a preservative and sunflower oil; read its ingredients if you want a particular fruit combination.
Sunsweet
Sunsweet focuses on prunes and prune products, making it a relevant brand to consider if prunes are the fruit you use regularly.
- Its UK range includes prune products rather than only mixed dried fruit.
- Check the pack weight, nutrition and ingredients of the particular product before comparing it with a larger prune pack.
Dried-fruit options on Joybuy
These Joybuy options include prunes, red dates and longan in packs of 500g or more. Choose by the fruit you will use, the pack format and the current product label; the list does not establish which has the lowest fat content.
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J.ZAO Pitted Chilean Prunes 500g
This 500g pack is individually wrapped, which may suit someone who prefers separate portions. Check the weight of a wrapper against the NHS 30g dried-fruit portion for 5 A Day.
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Hao Xiang Ni Ready-to-Eat Red Dates 900g (30 × 30g)
The 30g sachets offer a measured format for regular use. The dates contain pits, so remove them before eating or adding the fruit to a recipe.
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HEYU Sweet Dried Longan 500g
This 500g longan pack is an option for cooking rather than eating straight from the bag. Wash and cook the fruit before use.
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Natures Finest Juicy Pitted Prunes 700g
This 700g pitted-prune pack suits use across several meals or recipes. Measure out portions as needed and follow the pack’s storage directions after opening.
Common questions
How much dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion?
The NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion. Buying a larger pack does not change that amount; measure a portion from the pack or check the weight of an individual sachet.
Can I choose a dried-fruit pack by its fat content?
Yes, but use the nutrition panel for the exact product and compare figures on the same basis. Tesco lists 0.2g fat per 30g for its Wholefood Ready To Eat Prunes, while M&S lists 0.4g per 100g for its Mixed Dried Fruit; those serving bases should not be treated as directly equivalent.
Is dried fruit better kept for mealtimes?
The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than as a between-meal snack to reduce the risk of tooth decay. A large pack can be divided into measured amounts for meals instead of eaten from throughout the day.
Should I check dried fruit for sulphites?
Check the current label if sulphites are relevant to you. The Food Standards Agency says sulphur dioxide and sulphites are used in some dried fruit and that people with asthma have a higher risk of reaction; also read any product-specific allergen statements.
How should I store a larger pack after opening?
Follow the directions on the particular pack. For example, Tesco says its 1kg mixed fruit should be stored in a cool, dry place and kept in an airtight container once opened; do not assume every dried fruit has the same storage instructions.