If you have a food allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information first, and only then consider the bun or loaf’s shape. The standard currant buns from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list wheat or gluten and milk as allergens. A thick slice or a partly sliced currant loaf may suit the portion you want, but the shape tells you nothing about the allergens in that product.
If you have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy, the allergen information matters more than the size or how the product is sliced. The standard currant buns from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list wheat or gluten as present.
If you have a cow’s milk allergy, look out for milk ingredients; a statement about lactose does not answer that question on its own. The versions from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list milk as present.
For these shoppers, warnings such as ‘may contain’ and allergen information for loose buns also matter. Assess this information for the specific product in line with your own allergen management guidance.
When choosing a currant bun or loaf, check the allergens you need to avoid first. Then compare portion size and how easy it is to slice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat and gluten | Check the current declaration for wheat and cereals containing gluten. If you follow a gluten-free diet, check that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If you need to avoid wheat or gluten, a standard bun containing these ingredients is not suitable, whatever its size; around 36% of consumers put this exclusion first. |
| Milk ingredients | Check the declaration for milk and milk ingredients; a lactose statement is not a substitute for this information. | If you have a cow’s milk allergy, you’ll want to know whether the product contains milk proteins. Around 29% of consumers give avoiding milk ingredients the highest priority. |
| Cross-contamination | Check ‘may contain’ warnings too. For loose buns, ask for allergen information about the exact variety. | If you’re allergic to an allergen that may be present, you’ll also want to assess the warnings; around 21% of consumers put this first. |
| Portion size and slicing | Once you’ve checked the allergens, compare the size and check whether the currant loaf is actually partly sliced. | If the allergens are suitable for your needs, a larger portion or a partly sliced loaf may be more practical. Around 14% of consumers put this shape or format first when buying. |
Size and slicing tell you nothing about the ingredients or possible cross-contamination. The standard currant buns we looked at list wheat or gluten and milk as present.
First check the current allergen information for the product you’ve chosen, then decide which format you prefer.
Albert Heijn and PLUS say that ingredients and allergen information can change. An online description therefore does not replace the information on the packaging of the product you buy.
Read the packaging of the product you’re buying. For a loose or freshly baked in-store version, ask for the latest information about that product.
According to the Voedingscentrum, cow’s milk allergy concerns milk proteins, while lactose intolerance concerns milk sugar. So if you have a cow’s milk allergy, checking only for lactose is not enough.
If you have a cow’s milk allergy, check the full declaration of milk ingredients and follow your own dietary guidance.
This kind of warning is about the possible accidental presence of an allergen, even if it has not been added as an ingredient.
Take the warning into account when assessing the allergen that matters to you and following your personal guidance.
The AH Raisin Currant Buns we looked at come in packs of 6.
The Jumbo Raisin Currant Buns we looked at come in packs of 6.
PLUS provides online ingredients and allergen information for its standard version that we looked at.
Lidl publishes ingredients and allergen information for its oven-fresh bread range.
ALDI describes a 700 g Drenthe loaf as a partly sliced currant loaf.
The standard versions from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list wheat or cereals containing gluten as present, so they are not suitable if you need to avoid these ingredients. The Voedingscentrum says to look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain quality mark when choosing gluten-free products. Also check the current label for any other allergens that matter to you.
No. A lactose statement alone does not tell you whether a product is suitable if you have a cow’s milk allergy. According to the Voedingscentrum, lactose intolerance concerns milk sugar, while a cow’s milk allergy concerns milk proteins. If you have a cow’s milk allergy, read the full declaration of milk ingredients.
Treat it as a warning that the named allergen may be present accidentally, not as confirmation that the product is free from it. Whether you can choose the product depends on the allergen you need to avoid and your personal guidance.
Ask the shop or bakery for allergen information about the exact bun you want to buy. According to the Voedingscentrum, information must be provided for loose products. If you cannot confirm the information for an allergen that matters to you, you cannot assess that bun on this basis.
