When choosing a currant bun as a school-holiday snack, start by checking portion size, nutritional value and allergens. If you specifically want Fairtrade cocoa, you can pair a suitable currant bun with chocolate topping that carries the Fairtrade mark. The mark applies to the topping, not automatically to the currant bun, and the topping also adds sugars.
For anyone who wants to see exactly which product carries the Fairtrade mark. Albert Heijn displays the mark on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag puur. This says nothing about the certification of the currant bun you pair with the chocolate sprinkles.
For anyone who cares about the number of buns in a pack, portion size and how easy a currant bun is to take along. Also compare the nutritional information and allergens for the version you plan to buy.
For anyone who prioritises ingredients and fibre over convenience alone. Allergens vary from product to product; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 2 g of fibre for a 50 g currant bun, not a figure that applies to every version.
First decide whether you’re looking for a Fairtrade mark on the currant bun itself or on a separate chocolate topping. Then check the pack you actually intend to buy for its ingredients, nutritional value and number of buns.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade chocolate | Check the Fairtrade mark on the separate chocolate product; don’t assume it applies to the currant bun. | If I want to be able to identify which product carries the Fairtrade mark, without describing the whole snack that way. For around 44% of consumers, verifiable Fairtrade cocoa comes first. |
| Nutritional value and allergens | Compare sugars and fibre per portion, and read the allergen information on the current packaging. | If ingredients determine which snack I take with me, I want to be able to choose a version that meets those requirements. Around 33% of consumers give nutritional information and allergens top priority. |
| Portions and availability | Check the number of buns, the best-before information and whether the version you want is currently available. | For a day out, I want to know in advance how many currant buns I can take and whether the pack I’ve chosen is available. Convenience is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
A supermarket that sells Fairtrade products doesn’t automatically offer Fairtrade-certified currant buns. The Fairtrade mark Albert Heijn displays on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag puur applies to the chocolate sprinkles.
Check the mark on each product separately, and only describe the combination as a currant bun with Fairtrade chocolate topping if the topping carries the mark.
Albert Heijn lists 66 g of sugars per 100 g for Fairtrade Original Hagelslag puur. The amount you add contributes to the snack’s nutritional value.
Check the nutritional information and decide whether you want to add a topping, and how much.
A general rule about iodine in bakery products won’t tell you what’s in the currant bun in your shopping basket.
Check the ingredients list and ask the manufacturer about the ingredients if iodine is important to your choice.
A specific mini or wholemeal version may not always be available. A different pack may also have different ingredients or nutritional values.
Check which version is currently available before buying, and read the label again if you choose a substitute.
Worth considering when comparing currant bun pack sizes and, separately, looking at chocolate topping with a Fairtrade mark.
Worth considering when checking the ingredients and number of buns in a specific raisin currant bun product.
Relevant for a separate chocolate topping to go with a currant bun, not as a brand of currant buns themselves.
No. A Fairtrade range says nothing about the certification of an individual currant bun. Check the mark on the packaging or product page for that specific version.
Yes, as long as the topping you choose carries the Fairtrade mark. Albert Heijn displays it on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag puur. This does not automatically make the currant bun Fairtrade; also consider how much topping you use.
No, you can’t assume this applies to every currant bun based on a general rule. The version of the Dutch Commodities Act Decree published on Overheid.nl, in force since 14 November 2014, permits iodine compounds in bakery products only through baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets an upper limit of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This does not mean every product must be made with iodised salt; ask the manufacturer about the ingredients if this matters to your purchase.
Check the allergen information for the version you’re buying, including any warnings about traces. For its six-pack of Jumbo Rozijnen Krentenbollen, Jumbo lists gluten, wheat and milk; don’t assume this information applies to other currant buns without checking their labels.
