Who needs to check what?

Vegan shoppers comparing calories

Look for both an explicit vegan statement and kcal per stated serving. A fruit-based name alone does not establish either the product’s vegan suitability or how its portion compares with another pack.

Lunchbox and commute snack buyers

A small pack can make the amount eaten at one time easier to judge. Read its gram weight before comparing its calories with a 30g serving of loose dried fruit.

Shoppers checking sulphites or allergens

Vegan suitability and allergen suitability are separate checks. Read the current ingredients and precautionary allergen information, particularly if you need to avoid sulphites or possible cross-contact.

What to compare on the label

Start with serving weight and energy, then check whether the vegan statement, ingredients and allergen information meet your requirements.

Priority What to check Your needs
Calories and serving size Read kcal alongside grams. Whitworths lists 47 kcal per 30g for Favourites Apricots; Tesco Groceries lists 96 kcal per 30g for BEAR Fruit Dried Mango and 99 kcal per 30g for Tesco Dried Mango. Its BEAR Fruit Yoyos Strawberry listing uses a smaller 20g pack for its 53 kcal figure. I want to compare equal amounts of dried fruit, or know exactly how much is in a single snack pack.
Vegan labelling Look for an explicit statement on the current product. GOV.UK explains that vegan labelling indicates no animal-origin ingredients were intentionally used, but does not guarantee an absence of animal-origin cross-contact. For a vegan shop, I would rather check the label than assume a fruit product qualifies from its name.
Sugars and ingredients Compare total sugars per stated portion, not just a “no added sugar” claim. Tesco Groceries lists 17g sugars per 30g for BEAR Fruit Dried Mango, which states no added sugar, and 15.5g per 30g for Tesco Dried Mango. If I prefer a product without added sugar, I still want to know its total sugars and serving size.
Allergen information Check ingredients and “may contain” statements on the current pack. Tesco Groceries lists sulphur dioxide in Tesco Dried Mango and possible sesame, peanut and nut cross-contact. I need to check the specific allergen statement rather than rely on a vegan label for allergy-related requirements.
When you eat it The NHS uses 30g as one dried-fruit portion for 5 A Day and advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay. I want a portion I can measure and include with a meal instead of repeatedly eating from a larger bag.

Comparisons that can mislead

  • Taking “no added sugar” to mean fewer calories

    BEAR Fruit Dried Mango states no added sugar, while Tesco Groceries lists 96 kcal and 17g sugars per 30g. The claim does not replace the nutrition figures.

    Read energy and total sugars for the stated serving before comparing it with another product.

  • Comparing different-sized servings as equals

    Tesco Groceries lists 53 kcal for a 20g BEAR Fruit Yoyos Strawberry pack. That figure describes a smaller amount of food than a 30g dried-fruit serving.

    Use the pack figure to plan one snack, but compare matching gram weights when deciding which product has fewer calories for the same amount.

  • Using a vegan label as an allergen guarantee

    GOV.UK notes that vegan labelling does not guarantee the absence of animal-origin cross-contact. Tesco Dried Mango also lists sulphur dioxide and possible sesame, peanut and nut cross-contact.

    For an allergy or sulphite avoidance, check the current pack’s ingredients and precautionary statements for the specific substance concerned.

  • Eating dried fruit repeatedly between meals

    The NHS advises having dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

    Measure the portion you intend to eat and include it with a meal.

Dried-fruit brand references

Whitworths

Favourites Apricots are labelled suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

  • Whitworths lists 47 kcal per 30g and labels this product high in fibre.
  • The product contains sulphur dioxide, which matters if you avoid sulphites.

BEAR Fruit

Its vegan-labelled Strawberry Yoyos and Dried Mango offer different serving formats.

  • Tesco Groceries lists 53 kcal for a 20g Strawberry Yoyos pack and 96 kcal per 30g for Dried Mango.
  • The Dried Mango states no added sugar but lists 17g total sugars per 30g. The 20g Yoyos figure is not directly comparable with a 30g serving.

Tesco

Tesco Dried Mango is labelled suitable for vegans, with nutrition stated for a 30g serving.

  • Tesco Groceries lists 99 kcal and 15.5g sugars per 30g and labels the product high in fibre.
  • It contains sulphur dioxide and may contain sesame seeds, peanuts and nuts.

M&S

Its dried-fruit options include mixed dried fruit and soft prunes.

  • Ocado lists 66 kcal per 30g for M&S Soft Prunes.
  • The soft-prunes listing states vegetarian suitability; check the current product label before selecting it for a vegan shop.

Joybuy product option

This raspberry fruit-roll multipack offers five 20g portions. Check its current vegan statement and nutrition label before choosing it for a vegan shop or comparing its calories with other dried fruit.

Bear Raspberry Yoyo 5 x 20g multipack

Bear Raspberry Yoyo 5 x 20g

The 5 x 20g format makes the amount in each roll clear for portion planning. Check the current pack for vegan suitability, calories and allergen information; nutrition figures for the Strawberry Yoyos product do not establish those details for Raspberry Yoyo.

View on Joybuy

Questions about vegan dried fruit

What portion should I use when comparing dried fruit?

The NHS uses 30g of dried fruit as one 5 A Day portion, making it a useful reference for loose dried fruit. Still read each pack’s serving weight: Tesco Groceries lists BEAR Fruit Yoyos Strawberry by a smaller 20g pack.

Does “no added sugar” mean a dried fruit is low in sugar or calories?

No. BEAR Fruit Dried Mango states no added sugar, while Tesco Groceries lists 17g total sugars and 96 kcal per 30g. Compare the nutrition figures for the amount you plan to eat.

Can I assume any dried fruit is suitable for vegans?

Check the specific product rather than assuming suitability from its name. GOV.UK explains that a vegan label indicates no animal-origin ingredients were intentionally used, but does not guarantee an absence of animal-origin cross-contact.

Is vegan labelling enough when I have an allergy?

No. GOV.UK advises that vegan labelling does not guarantee freedom from animal-origin cross-contact. Check the current pack’s ingredient and precautionary allergen information for the allergen you need to avoid.

When does the NHS advise eating dried fruit?

The NHS advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes rather than between meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Its 30g dried-fruit portion can also help you plan how much to serve.