Sweetened Dried Strawberries

Sweetened dried strawberries are fresh strawberries that have had most of their water removed through a drying process, and sugar is added during or after drying. This process concentrates their flavor and sweetness, and extends their shelf life. They are made from whole or sliced strawberries.

Manufacturers add sweetened dried strawberries to products primarily for their fruity flavor, chewy texture, and natural sweetness. They are often found in snack foods like granola bars, cereals, and baked goods such as cookies and muffins, providing a fruit component.

Sweetened dried strawberries are considered a food ingredient and are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when produced under good manufacturing practices. Their primary health consideration relates to their added sugar content. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no specific amount of added sugars, but suggest limiting intake to at most 10 grams per meal. JECFA and EFSA typically evaluate food additives, not whole food ingredients like sweetened dried strawberries, so they have not set specific limits for this ingredient.