Who is this choice relevant to?

Canteen buyers planning portions

They want to know how many buns from each pack will actually be served at lunch, rather than looking only at the pack size.

Managers with fluctuating lunch numbers

They adjust stock for busy and quieter days, and check which packs can be frozen according to the label.

Managers keeping nutritional information up to date

They compare bread type, fibre per portion, ingredients and allergens, so the information provided at the canteen matches the product purchased.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how many portions your canteen usually serves and what you’ll do with any leftover buns. Then compare the nutritional information and allergens for packs that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Portions used Compare the number of buns per pack with typical lunch demand and the portion size you want to serve. With a regular number of diners, I don’t want to keep having buns left over; making the most of portions is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Storage and freezing Read the storage instructions on the pack you choose and check whether freezing is recommended, and when. When attendance varies from day to day, I want to be able to keep leftover buns for a future lunch; stock management is the main concern for around 33% of consumers.
Nutritional and ingredients information Compare fibre per portion and check the current ingredients and allergen information. Check the label for bakers’ salt or iodised salt if this is relevant to your menu. For the canteen information, I want to be able to state which ingredients and allergens are listed for the product we choose; around 25% of consumers make this their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only at the pack size

    A bag with more buns isn’t automatically a better fit for the canteen if some are left uneaten.

    Compare pack sizes with expected demand at each lunch and decide in advance what you’ll do with any leftovers.

  • Treating every currant bun as wholemeal bread

    A standard currant bun and a wholemeal version don’t necessarily have the same ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 2 g of fibre for a 50 g currant bun; check the pack for the value of a specific product.

    Check the bread type and compare the nutritional information per portion when choosing options for your lunch menu.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread isn’t always made with bakers’ salt. So the ingredients in one currant bun don’t tell you what’s in another.

    Only list bakers’ salt or iodised salt for a product if it appears in the current ingredients list on the label.

  • Copying allergen information from a different pack

    Ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements can differ between products and may change when a product is updated.

    Use the allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving, and update it if you switch products.

Brands to consider

ALDI

ALDI offers a pack of six raisin currant buns as an example of a standard portion-sized pack.

  • The pack contains six buns, so you can compare the contents with expected lunch demand.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers standard raisin currant buns in a pack of six.

  • The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values; this white wheat version contains 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Don’t use the nutritional values for this standard version for a mini or wholemeal variety.

PLUS

PLUS offers currant buns in packs of six, as well as an eight-pack with freezing instructions.

  • PLUS says the eight-pack can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
  • Even with a pack that can be frozen, choose the number of buns to suit expected demand.

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH raisin currant buns shows which details are relevant to your canteen menu for each variety.

  • The variety described lists iodised salt in its ingredients and advises freezing on the day of purchase.
  • Don’t assume those ingredients or storage instructions apply to another variety without checking its label.

Lidl

Lidl describes mini wholemeal raisin buns in a 360 g pack.

  • The mini wholemeal variety gives you a different bread type and portion format to compare with standard currant buns.
  • Compare the portions and nutritional information for this variety with the pack your canteen actually chooses.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a pack size for canteen lunches?

Choose a pack whose portions you expect to serve, or that you can store according to the product instructions. A pack of six suits different demand from a pack of eight, so consider how much you use over several lunch days.

How long can I keep opened currant buns?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened currant buns can be kept for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage instructions on the label.

Can I freeze currant buns for a future canteen lunch?

You can if the instructions on the pack you choose say that it’s suitable. PLUS says its eight-pack should be frozen on the day of purchase and used within one month; check the instructions on any other pack.

Do currant buns always contain iodised salt?

No, don’t assume they do without checking the label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread isn’t always made with bakers’ salt; check whether bakers’ salt or iodised salt is listed in the ingredients for the currant buns you choose.

Which allergens should I check in currant buns?

Check the allergens and possible traces listed on the exact pack you’re serving. The product information for the Jumbo and PLUS varieties described lists wheat and milk, among other allergens; the information may differ for other varieties.