Shoppers comparing fat values
Plain dried fruit, coated fruit and fruit-and-nut mixes need separate label checks. The fruit in the name does not tell you the finished snack’s fat content.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers who need specific ingredients
If an ingredient or allergen declaration matters to your order, check the delivered pack rather than assuming another dried-fruit product is interchangeable.
People planning portions
Pack size and serving information help you choose between a larger bag for meals and smaller packs with a defined amount of fruit.
What should you check?
Compare like-for-like nutrition values first, then check the ingredients, intended portion and delivery settings before placing the order.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and coatings | Compare fat per 100g on the nutrition panels. Read the ingredients for coatings, oils and nuts; a fruit name alone does not describe the finished mix. | I’m choosing dried fruit partly for its fat value, so I want to know whether I’m ordering plain fruit or a coated snack. Whitworths lists 0.9g fat per 100g for Sunny Raisins and 19.2g for its yogurt-coated raisins. |
| Ingredients and portions | Check for juice concentrates and other added ingredients. Compare the pack size with the amount you intend to eat; the NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion. | For baking, I may want a particular fruit and ingredient list. For a planned serving, I’d rather know how much is in the pack than judge by its appearance. |
| Delivery substitutions | Review the substitution setting before ordering. If a replacement is offered, check its fat value, ingredients and allergen declaration against the product you chose. | When the exact product matters, I don’t want a coated, juice-infused or otherwise different fruit to arrive in its place. Tesco says substitutes may be offered if allowed; Sainsbury’s says shoppers can choose whether to keep a substitute or receive a refund. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming every dried-fruit snack has a similar fat value
Whitworths lists 0.9g fat per 100g for Sunny Raisins, compared with 19.2g fat and 11.8g saturates per 100g for its yogurt-coated raisins.
Compare the same per-100g measure and read the ingredients before choosing a coated product for a lower-fat order.
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Reading “no added sugar” as “no juice concentrate”
Sainsbury’s BEAR dried-strawberries listing uses a no-added-sugar description but lists apple juice concentrate among the ingredients and 73g sugars per 100g.
If juice concentrates or total sugars affect your choice, read the full ingredient list and nutrition panel.
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Accepting any dried-fruit substitute
A replacement can have a different coating, ingredient list, allergen declaration or fat value, even if it sits in the same grocery category.
Turn off substitutions when you require the exact item, or check a proposed replacement before accepting it. Tesco and Sainsbury’s describe options for declining an unwanted substitute and receiving a refund.
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Choosing a large bag without considering servings
The NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion and advises having it at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Check the pack’s serving information or measure the amount you intend to use, particularly if you are buying a larger bag for several meals.
Brand and retailer references
These examples show why the individual product label matters more than the brand or retailer name.
Whitworths
Its Sunny Raisins and yogurt-coated raisins are different choices when comparing fat content.
- Whitworths lists raisins and sunflower oil as the ingredients in Sunny Raisins, with 0.9g fat per 100g.
- Its yogurt-coated raisins list palm oil and 19.2g fat per 100g; check the specific pack rather than applying one value across the range.
M&S
Its product listings include mixed dried fruit and juice-infused berries with different ingredient lists.
- Marks & Spencer lists 0.4g fat per 100g for Mixed Dried Fruit, 1.4g for Cranberries and 2.1g for Dried Cherries.
- The listed cranberries contain concentrated pineapple juice, while the cherries contain concentrated apple juice. Check the delivered label for current ingredients and nutrition.
Tesco
Tesco’s online dried-fruit category includes several fruit types and brands, so selection still depends on the individual listing.
- Its category includes raisins and sultanas, dates, prunes and mixed dried fruit.
- Tesco says it may offer an alternative when an item is unavailable if the shopper has allowed substitutions.
Sainsbury's
Its online listings and substitution process make both the selected product and any proposed replacement worth checking.
- Its BEAR dried-strawberries listing states less than 0.5g fat per 100g and identifies apple juice concentrate and sunflower oil in the ingredients.
- Sainsbury’s says shoppers can choose whether to keep a substitute or receive a refund; a substitute’s label should be checked against the original choice.
Dried-fruit options on Joybuy
These options include small packs of raisins and freeze-dried fruit, individually wrapped prunes, and a larger pack of figs. Use each product’s current label to compare fat per 100g and ingredients before ordering.
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Organix Goodies Raisins 12+ Months, 12 × 14g
The 12 individual 14g boxes give lunchbox planners a defined pack size. The product is labelled for ages 12 months and over; check its nutrition and ingredient label against your requirements.
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Frula Freeze-Dried Mango 10g
This 10g pack suits a planned small serving of freeze-dried mango. Its format differs from chewy dried fruit; check the label for the fat value and ingredients you need.
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Frula Freeze-Dried Peach 10g
The 10g peach pack is another small-format choice if you prefer freeze-dried fruit. Compare its per-100g nutrition and ingredient list with other dried-fruit options rather than judging by pack size alone.
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J.ZAO Individually Wrapped Pitted Chilean Prunes 500g
The individually wrapped prunes offer a way to take pieces from a 500g pack. If you are avoiding added sweeteners, check the ingredient list for low-polymer isomaltose rather than relying on front-of-pack wording.
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Whitworths Figs 175g
The 175g fig pack is an option for measured use in meals or recipes. Check the current ingredient and allergen information, particularly if nuts or peanuts are a concern.
Frequently asked questions
How much dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion?
The NHS counts 30g of dried fruit as one portion. It advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Should I allow a substitute for dried fruit in my grocery order?
If the exact fat value, ingredients or allergen declaration matters, turn off substitutions or check a proposed replacement before accepting it. Tesco says unwanted substitutes can be returned to the driver or Click+Collect colleague for a refund; Sainsbury’s says shoppers can choose whether to keep a substitute or receive a refund.
Are dried cranberries and cherries the same choice as plain raisins?
Not necessarily: Marks & Spencer lists concentrated pineapple juice in its Cranberries and concentrated apple juice in its Dried Cherries. Compare their ingredients and nutrition panels with those of plain raisins if juice-infused fruit or sugars affect your choice.