Night-shift worker who prioritises Fairtrade
Wants to check the information on the specific product when choosing the cocoa or chocolate to have with a currant bun, rather than relying on a shop’s range as a whole.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Practical bread-snack fan
Is looking for a currant bun that can be taken along to a short break without any preparation, and considers portion size, storage advice and whether some of the pack can be frozen.
Label-conscious night-shift worker
Wants to check the sugars, salt and allergens on the packaging before taking a currant bun to work.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have. If you’re pairing a standard currant bun with chocolate chosen separately, you’ll need to assess each product’s packaging individually. Then compare the portions and nutritional information for the products you actually plan to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the packaging of the chocolate or the currant bun in question for the Fairtrade mark or a specific reference to cocoa. | If I need the cocoa to be demonstrably Fairtrade, knowing what the shop stocks isn’t enough to tell me about my snack. Around 33% of consumers prioritise checking the specific product. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Check the sugars and salt per 100 g and per portion, as well as the current ingredients and allergen information for both products. | If I need to keep an eye on nutritional information or allergens during my shift, I want to know what my chosen portion contains. This label check is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portion and stock | Compare the number of buns, portion size and storage or freezing advice for the variant you’ve chosen. | For a short break, I want something I can take with me without any preparation, while keeping the rest of the pack usable for later shifts. This practicality is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a Fairtrade range means the currant bun carries a Fairtrade claim
A supermarket may sell Fairtrade products without the currant bun you choose containing cocoa or carrying a Fairtrade claim itself. The currant buns reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t mention chocolate or cocoa.
Check the packaging of the exact currant bun or chocolate you’re buying. Fairtrade International explains that, for composite products, the meaning of a certification mark depends on which ingredients are certified.
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Looking only at the front of the pack
If you’re buying a snack to last across several shifts, the portion you choose, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions all matter too. Information on the front of the pack is no substitute for these details.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and read the current label before choosing a pack for several breaks.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH Rozijnen krentenbollen groot reviewed are a type of currant bun made with raisins and currants.
- Albert Heijn’s product information lists the ingredients, nutritional values, allergens and storage advice for this variant.
- The product page reviewed doesn’t mention chocolate, cocoa or Fairtrade for this currant bun.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a six-pack of its own-brand Rozijnen Krentenbollen.
- The product page specifies raisins and currants in the ingredients list and gives nutritional information per 100 g and per 65 g portion.
- The fact that Jumbo also sells Fairtrade products doesn’t confirm that this currant bun contains Fairtrade cocoa; the product page reviewed doesn’t mention cocoa.
PLUS
PLUS lists several types of currant bun, including a six-pack and a longer-life eight-pack.
- The product information reviewed includes ingredients and storage advice. For certain variants, PLUS advises freezing them on the day of purchase.
- Fairtrade Nederland describes Fairtrade-certified cocoa in PLUS own-brand products, but the currant bun pages reviewed don’t mention cocoa. So this reference to cocoa doesn’t confirm anything about these currant buns.
Chocolate to have separately with a currant bun
This chocolate bar is an option if you want to pair a currant bun with chocolate chosen separately; it isn’t a currant bun itself. Before making Fairtrade a requirement for your choice, check the current packaging of the bar for a Fairtrade claim.
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Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bar, 180 g
For anyone who wants to choose chocolate separately to have with a currant bun. This is a 180 g chocolate bar with pecan and caramel, not a currant bun. Check the current packaging for the Fairtrade claim and any allergens that are relevant to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a standard currant bun also a Fairtrade chocolate snack?
Not automatically: the currant buns reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t mention chocolate or cocoa. If you want Fairtrade cocoa with your currant bun, check a chocolate product you’ve chosen separately or look for a specific claim on the packaging of a composite currant bun.
How can I check whether the chocolate I have with my currant bun is Fairtrade?
Look for the Fairtrade mark on the packaging of the specific chocolate. For a composite product, check which ingredients the claim applies to. Fairtrade International explains that certification marks have a specific meaning on composite products; the general words ‘fair trade’ don’t automatically mean the same thing as the Fairtrade mark.
How should I store currant buns for several night shifts?
Follow the storage advice for your chosen variant. For some of the currant buns reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend freezing them on the day of purchase. Check the current packaging for the storage period and instructions for that product too.
What should I check if wheat or milk is an allergen for me?
Read the current allergen information for both the currant bun and any chocolate you choose separately. The currant bun information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS mentions wheat and milk or milk ingredients. Information about other possible allergens may vary by product.