Who is this for?

Conscientious coffee-break shopper

You want to serve something with a recognisable Fairtrade mark alongside your currant buns. Coffee or chocolate could be a good choice, as long as the mark appears on that product.

Label-conscious bread shopper

You buy currant buns for home, work or school and want to check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging you choose.

Shopper comparing size and fibre

You’re looking for a smaller or wholemeal raisin currant bun and comparing its size and nutritional information, without assuming the type of bread has a Fairtrade mark.

What should you look for?

Decide which product should carry the Fairtrade mark, then compare the size and label of the currant buns.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Check for the mark on the coffee or chocolate. For products with multiple ingredients, read the explanation on the packaging. If I want to include Fairtrade in my coffee break, I want to know which product carries the mark, without attributing it to the currant bun too. Around 45% of consumers prioritise making a verifiable Fairtrade choice.
Size and storage Compare the number of buns and their size; follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. If I’m buying for a small group, I want to choose buns we can eat in time or store according to the packaging instructions. Size and storage are the top priorities for around 33% of consumers.
Type of bread and label Compare the type of bread and nutritional information; read the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. If you’re looking for a wholemeal option or need to check the ingredients, you’ll want to know what’s in the bun you choose. For around 22% of consumers, checking the label and nutritional information comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Fairtrade coffee means Fairtrade currant buns

    A mark on the coffee or chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the other products on the table. Fairtrade International also distinguishes between products with one ingredient and those with multiple ingredients.

    Check for the mark on every product you want to make a Fairtrade claim about. For a product made with multiple ingredients, read the explanation on the packaging.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the type of bread.

    Read the ingredients list on packaged currant buns, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying loose buns.

  • Relying on outdated allergen information

    Albert Heijn points out that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.

    Check the current packaging if the ingredients matter to your choice.

  • Choosing a pack without checking the storage instructions

    The number of buns and the storage instructions determine whether a pack is suitable for a later coffee break.

    Choose a pack with the right number of buns. PLUS says its longer-lasting currant buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For another variety, follow the instructions on its packaging.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists currant buns online and has a separate range of Fairtrade Original coffee.

  • You can compare a bun and coffee as separate choices.
  • Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging, as ingredients and allergen information, among other details, can change. A mark on the coffee tells you nothing about the currant bun.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists standard raisin currant buns and wholemeal mini raisin currant buns.

  • The online product name for the mini variety specifies wholemeal and a pack of nine. Jumbo lists 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its standard raisin currant buns.
  • This information about the bread doesn’t show that the currant buns are Fairtrade-certified. Check any certification claim on the specific product.

PLUS

PLUS lists currant buns in different pack sizes, including a pack of six and a longer-lasting variety.

  • For its longer-lasting variety, PLUS provides instructions for freezing at home and using the buns within one month.
  • A general statement that PLUS own-brand products contain Fairtrade cocoa doesn’t prove that a specific currant bun carries a certification mark.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns and mini wholemeal raisin buns online.

  • The varieties listed offer a choice between a standard currant bun and a smaller wholemeal raisin bun.
  • Raisin buns and currant buns aren’t the same product name. Check the packaging of the variety you choose, including for any Fairtrade claim.

ALDI

ALDI Netherlands lists Fairtrade coffee and specific Fairtrade chocolate products.

  • Coffee or chocolate can be a separate Fairtrade choice for your coffee break if the product you choose carries the mark.
  • A mark on coffee or chocolate doesn’t also apply to a currant bun.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are currant buns Fairtrade if I have Fairtrade coffee with them?

No. The mark on the coffee applies only to the product it appears on. If you want to make a Fairtrade claim about a currant bun, check the packaging of that specific bun.

What does the Fairtrade mark mean on chocolate made with multiple ingredients?

It doesn’t mean that every ingredient is Fairtrade. Fairtrade International describes a minimum of 20% total Fairtrade content for this product category. Check the packaging to see which ingredients and conditions are covered by the mark.

Does every Dutch baker use iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged currant buns, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying loose buns.

Can I keep currant buns for a later coffee break?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for the variety you choose. PLUS says its longer-lasting currant buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.

Can I tell from the name whether a currant bun is gluten-free?

No, the product name alone doesn’t tell you for certain. For example, Jumbo describes its standard raisin currant buns as bread made with white wheat flour. For any other variety, check the specific packaging and look for a gluten-free label.