Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about our products? If you don't find the answer here, don't hesitate to contact us.

Dried fruit is fresh fruit that has been dried naturally in the sun or in dehydration machines. Moisture is removed from the fresh fruit, which makes it more portable and convenient than fresh fruit.  

However, it does not remove the natural vitamins and antioxidants, making dried fruit as healthy and good for you as fresh fruit!

Mariani product should be resealed when not being used, and ideally stored at room temperature.  

Mariani products can also be refrigerated, but it’s not necessary to do so.  

The beauty of dried fruit is that it can withstand varying degrees of temperature and still taste great.  

Keep a bag in your car, backpack, locker, or anywhere you need to grab a quick snack.

Please refer to the store locator map for a list of retailers in your area that sell Mariani products.  We sell over 50 items so if you can’t find it at your local grocer, it is available for purchase on our website.  Please do not hesitate to get in touch for additional support through our Contact Us page.

Mariani dried fruit can typically be found in the produce section of your favorite grocer, but can also be found in the grocery aisle as well. Mariani has over 30 different products. Retailers can only carry a limited amount, so if you cannot find us or one of our products at your local grocer, we have made all of our products available for purchase on our website.

Yes. The Mariani brand can be found in the UK, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Australia, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Hong Kong, and Thailand.  

Additionally, our products are used as ingredients in the most popular brands of cereals and baked goods throughout the world.

All Mariani products have a BEST IF USED BY date located on the packages. The month and year show the ideal shelf life of the fruit.

Sugar is added back into dried fruit because when fruit is dehydrated, the moisture is taken out of the fresh fruit which changes the taste profile. Adding some sugar back into the dried fruit helps act as a humectant (a substance that promotes the retention of moisture) and helps to keep the dried fruit soft, while enhancing its natural flavor. Sugars also act as a preservative for the product, so it stays fresher longer.

Corn Syrup is used instead of sucrose (cane sugar or beet sugar) because it acts as a humectant, which aids in retaining moisture.  

HFCS is not any higher in fructose compared to other commonly used sweeteners such as cane sugar, beet sugar, honey, fruit juice concentrates, and agave nectar. Also, HFCS and sugar (sucrose) have “equivalent ratios” of fructose and glucose, about 1:1. The only practical distinction in composition between the two is that in sugar (sucrose) the fructose and glucose are chemically bonded together. While in HFCS the glucose and fructose are a simple mixture (not bonded).  

During the digestive absorption the enzymes in the digestive tract break down the chemical bond in sugar so it enters the bloodstream unbounded just like HFCS does – so in the end both have the same number of calories per gram and both are simple carbohydrates that contribute about 4 calories per gram.

A preservative’s purpose is to prevent food from spoiling. Preservatives can also help retain the natural color of the fruits to make them more appealing to eat. They are added to high moisture dried fruit (typically more than 25% moisture) to increase their shelf life. Examples of preservatives we use are Potassium Sorbate and Sulfites (sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite, and sodium metabisulfite).

No, preservatives do not completely go away.  Depending upon the recipe, such as one where a lot of liquids are added, the preservatives may just be diluted, but are not completely “cooked” or “baked” away.

Sulfites are preservatives that are used on certain fruits to help retain their color. They are a safe ingredient however, some people have allergic sensitivities to sulfites. Please refer to the back of all Mariani packages for a complete breakdown of ingredients.

Most of our products are Kosher certified by the Orthodox Union. 

Just look for the circle U symbol next to the product name on the front of our products.

Is there a possibility of cross-contamination? Yes, we package products containing tree nuts, wheat, soy, and dairy in our facility.  Although tree nuts, wheat, soy, and dairy products are packaged on shared equipment with our dried fruits, we assure you that we have a comprehensive allergen program.  Our equipment is thoroughly cleaned between processes, with cleanliness verified through protein swab validation. Mariani follows Good Manufacturing Practices and we are audited by FDA & USDA. In addition, we are audited & certified by BRC and other second and third-party auditors.

Oil is used on some dried fruit to help move it along & through the processing equipment. It also prevents the fruit from clumping together, making it easier for the consumer to use. When applied for this purpose, it is done so in very trace amounts.

Dried fruit can be substituted in any recipe calling for its fresh fruit counterpart.  All you have to do is add water back into the fruit.  As a general rule of thumb, measure half the dried fruit for the amount needed for the recipe, as the re-hydration process will increase your volume of fruit (example: if the recipe calls for one cup of fresh fruit, measure out ½ cup of dried) Place the dried fruit in a saucepan and add plenty of water to cover and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for 10 – 15 minutes.  Drain the excess water. As an added tip: use a complimentary fruit juice instead of water to add more flavoring to your fruit.