Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers who want to verify that the cocoa is Fairtrade

You want to know exactly what the Fairtrade claim on the chocolate applies to. For a certification mark with an arrow, Fairtrade International advises checking the back of the packaging.

Hosts who want to plan portions and freshness

You want to have enough currant buns to serve without putting them out unnecessarily early. The number of buns in each pack and the storage instructions can help you plan your shopping around the date of the party.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients for their guests

If guests need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, you’ll need the information for the exact currant buns and the separate chocolate product. The product name alone isn’t enough to go on.

What should you look for when buying?

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade status of the chocolate Check the certification mark on the chocolate. If it has an arrow, read the packaging to see which ingredients and sourcing method it refers to. Assess any claim about the currant bun separately. If I’m serving chocolate alongside the buns, I want to be able to say exactly what the Fairtrade mark applies to; around 40% of consumers say being able to verify this is their top priority.
Portions and freshness Compare the number of buns in each pack with the number of guests, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. When shopping for a group, I want enough buns without leaving them out too early. Around 30% of consumers say portions and freshness are their top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the currant buns and the chocolate. Only assume the buns are wholemeal if this is explicitly stated for the product you choose. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to assess what I’m serving for each product; around 30% of consumers say ingredients and allergens matter most to them.

Common mistakes

  • Calling the whole treat Fairtrade because the chocolate is

    A certification mark on a separate chocolate bar says nothing about the origin of the wheat, currants or raisins in the bun.

    Describe the combination as currant buns with Fairtrade-certified chocolate if you can verify the mark on the chocolate packaging. Only make a separate claim about the bun if you can substantiate it for the bun itself.

  • Applying a general cocoa commitment to every product

    A statement about own-brand cocoa or a particular chocolate range doesn’t automatically apply to every currant bun or chocolate bar sold by the same retailer.

    Check the brand, product variant and claim on the packaging of the item you’re actually buying.

  • Assuming which allergens are present from the product name

    Currant buns and chocolate can contain different ingredients and allergens. Even two variants of the same type of product need to be checked separately.

    Before buying and serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on both exact products.

  • Buying currant buns early without a storage plan

    The serving date and the instructions on the pack determine whether buying in advance is practical; freezing advice may vary between products.

    Time your purchase around the party and, if freezing, follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.

Relevant brands and retailers

Albert Heijn

A retailer where you can browse currant buns and choose chocolate separately.

  • Albert Heijn lists currant buns in different pack sizes, including a 10-pack.
  • Albert Heijn says the cocoa in its own-brand products is Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certified. This doesn’t automatically make a specific currant bun Fairtrade; check the product label.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to check the ingredients in currant buns and choose chocolate separately.

  • Jumbo lists the ingredients and allergens for its 6-pack of raisin and currant buns, and also has a separate Fairtrade category.
  • The product information for these currant buns doesn’t mention chocolate or Fairtrade certification for the buns.

PLUS

Worth considering if you want to compare the number of currant buns per pack and their storage instructions.

  • PLUS lists 6- and 8-packs of currant buns with ingredient information. For the 8-pack, PLUS advises freezing them on the day of purchase and using them within a month.
  • Fairtrade Netherlands has published a statement about cocoa in PLUS own-brand products; this doesn’t confirm the certification or ingredients of every individual currant bun. Check the packaging.

Lidl

An option for currant buns and, as a separate product, chocolate from the Way To Go range.

  • Lidl lists 6-packs of currant buns as a store product and says that its Way To Go chocolate bars are Fairtrade certified.
  • The information about Way To Go relates to the chocolate, not the currant buns. Check the exact packaging when you buy.

ALDI

A retailer where you can browse raisin and currant buns and choose a separate Fairtrade chocolate product.

  • ALDI lists 6-packs of raisin and currant buns and includes Fairtrade chocolate in its Fairtrade range.
  • Check the packaging of your chosen currant buns for ingredients and any certification marks; a Fairtrade claim for chocolate doesn’t apply to the bun.

Chocolate to serve with currant buns

You can choose this chocolate bar separately to serve alongside currant buns. For this variant, check the packaging for a Fairtrade mark and what it applies to.

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel chocolate bar, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel chocolate bar, 180 g

A separate chocolate bar for serving alongside currant buns; it isn’t a currant bun itself.

Milk chocolate with pecan and caramel, 180 g. Check the packaging for the Fairtrade mark and what it covers.

Before serving, check the ingredients and allergen information, including for pecan, milk, soya, wheat and barley.

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Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary currant buns automatically Fairtrade certified?

No, that doesn’t follow from the type of product. A Fairtrade mark on separate chocolate doesn’t apply to the currant bun; check the packaging of the bun you choose for any claim.

Does Fairtrade chocolate make the whole Christmas treat Fairtrade?

No. For a certification mark with an arrow on a composite product, Fairtrade International advises checking the back of the packaging to see which ingredients it covers. Assess a currant bun served separately on its own.

How should I store currant buns until the Christmas party?

Choose a storage method that suits the serving date and the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says currant buns keep for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. For an unopened pack, also follow the use-by date and the manufacturer’s instructions.

Is iodine required in every Dutch currant bun?

No, that isn’t required by the rule on baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bread and other baked goods through baker’s salt; this doesn’t mean that every currant bun contains iodine. Check the ingredients list for the product you choose.