If you want to take a snack with you
You want to take a bun with you that’s ready to eat and suits the occasion. Check the product format, the number of buns and, if stated, the weight of each bun.
If you want to take a single currant bun with you for a late-morning snack, a standard individual bun is a practical choice. Choose a mini version if you’d prefer a smaller portion. If you need sliced bread, look for a currant loaf rather than an individual bun. Before making your final choice, compare the nutritional values per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy.
You want to take a bun with you that’s ready to eat and suits the occasion. Check the product format, the number of buns and, if stated, the weight of each bun.
You want to compare fibre, sugars and salt without relying solely on the front of the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products based on their nutritional values per 100 g.
You want to know before buying which ingredients and allergens are relevant to your choice. Check the current packaging: Albert Heijn notes that product information can change.
First decide whether you’re looking for an individual bun, a smaller size or an actual sliced currant loaf. Then compare products in the same format by checking their labels. Nutritional values per bun are only useful if you also know the portion size.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Format and portion | Check whether you’re looking at individual buns, mini or larger buns, or a sliced currant loaf. Check the weight of each bun if it’s stated. | If I want something I can take with me without slicing, I look for a size that gives me a clear idea of how much I’ll be having as a snack. Around 31% of consumers prioritise format and portion size. |
| Nutritional value | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g, then check the values for the portion you’ll actually eat. | If fibre, sugars or salt influence my choice, I want to compare products on the same basis. Nutritional value is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging each time you buy. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or allergen, I need to know what’s in this particular pack. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the number of buns and the storage instructions. Find out whether and how you can freeze the version you’ve chosen. | If I won’t eat all the buns straight away, I want to choose a pack that suits my plans. Storage and pack size come first for around 15% of consumers. |
Standard currant buns are sold individually. The partly sliced currant loaf that ALDI sells as a Drentse bol is a different product format: you can choose how much bread to take.
If slicing or sliced bread is essential for you, check the product format and, if the thickness of the slices matters, the packaging rather than relying on the word ‘bun’.
A claim such as ‘wholemeal’ or ‘stays tasty for longer’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre, sugar and salt the product contains per 100 g. Values per bun can also be difficult to compare if the buns don’t weigh the same.
Compare the nutrition tables for similar products on a per-100 g basis, and check the ingredients list too.
Ingredients and product information can change. If you have an allergy or intolerance, a previous purchase isn’t a reliable way to check a new pack.
Before eating, read the allergen information and ingredients list on the packaging you actually have.
A pack of six or eight buns may not be the best choice if you won’t eat them within the stated storage period or freeze them according to the product instructions.
Choose a pack size that suits when you plan to eat the buns. Follow the instructions for freezing the version you’ve chosen.
Buns you don’t use in time may go to waste.
Albert Heijn provides product information for AH Raisin Currant Buns.
Jumbo lists Raisin Currant Buns in a pack of six individual buns.
PLUS provides product information for standard currant buns, a longer-lasting version and larger currant and raisin buns.
ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in packs of six, as well as larger raisin buns.
Lidl lists standard currant buns, mini raisin and currant buns, and mini wholemeal raisin buns as separate products.
No, don’t assume that: standard currant buns are sold individually, while partly sliced currant loaf is a different product format. If you need sliced bread, check the product description and the slice thickness you want.
First compare similar products per 100 g for fibre, sugars and salt. Then check the weight of each bun or how much you want to eat. Values per bun tell you less when portion sizes differ.
Check the current allergen information and ingredients list on the packaging every time. The versions described list wheat or gluten and milk, among other allergens. Other allergens that may be relevant vary by product.
The versions described by Albert Heijn and PLUS can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Follow the instructions for the specific pack, including guidance on how long to use the buns for after freezing.
No, the meaning of baker’s salt doesn’t mean that it’s used in every currant bun. The Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. Check the ingredients list for the specific product to see which salt is listed.