Colleague buying for the team
You want to check which allergens the currant buns contain before sharing them, and whether you need to provide a separate alternative for colleagues with different requirements.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Team organising a regular office break
You’re looking for the right number of buns for everyone attending and want to know how to store any leftovers according to the product instructions.
Organiser of a thank-you or treat occasion
You’re considering chocolate as a gift or something to share on a one-off occasion. For that, think about the recipients and the occasion, separately from choosing a bread snack for a regular work break.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a bread snack for an office break or a separate gift. When choosing currant buns for your team, the following points can help you find the right variety.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging. The regular varieties described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat or gluten and milk. | If colleagues are sharing them, I want to know whether everyone can eat the currant buns I’ve chosen. Around 36% of consumers put this allergen check first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the nutritional information on the same basis, for example fibre per 100 g. | If I want to offer a wholemeal grain product, the wording on the packaging is what matters most to me. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of buns in a pack with the number of people attending. The regular packs described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI contain six or eight buns. | For a shared break, I want to put out enough buns without having lots left over. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and planning | Check the best-before date and follow the storage and freezing instructions for the variety you choose. | If I’m buying for several breaks, I need to know how long I can store the buns before serving them. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this planning. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming one pack will suit everyone
The regular currant buns described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat or gluten and milk. Some product pages also warn that other allergens may be present.
Before buying, ask which allergens are relevant to your colleagues, read the current packaging and arrange a separate alternative if needed.
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Assuming a bun is wholemeal because of its colour
A brown colour or a fibre declaration doesn’t automatically make a currant bun wholemeal. The regular varieties described are made with white wheat flour.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and check that your preferred variety is available before planning your office order.
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Buying a large pack without a storage plan
Packs with different numbers of buns won’t suit every team. Leftovers also need to be stored using the method specified for that particular product.
Count how many people will be attending and follow the instructions on the packaging. For the varieties described, PLUS says they can be frozen on the day of purchase.
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Treating a box of chocolates as the same kind of purchase
A gift or one-off treat serves a different purpose from currant buns for a regular office break. You’ll also need to check the ingredients, allergens and portion sizes for each chocolate product.
First decide who you’re buying for and what the occasion is. Then check the label and, if you’re planning to share the chocolates, how many individual portions the pack contains.
Brands to compare
The product information below applies to the varieties described. Always check the packaging of the product you choose when you buy it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes a pack of six raisin and currant buns.
- The product information lists 30% raisins, 4.2% currants and 2.9 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This variety contains milk and cereals containing gluten. Also check the other allergen information and which varieties are currently available.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes regular raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.
- For this regular variety, Jumbo lists 29.6% raisins, 6.1% currants and 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The regular variety contains wheat or gluten and milk. A separately described mini wholemeal variety was not part of the online range; check whether it’s available before buying.
PLUS
PLUS describes currant buns in packs of six and eight.
- The pack of six lists 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g. For the varieties described, PLUS says they can be frozen on the day of purchase.
- The varieties described contain wheat, rye, gluten and milk. Check each pack for warnings about other allergens too.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands describes raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.
- The product is described as wheat buns with raisins and currants.
- Check the packaging in store for the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions.
Chocolate for a gift or treat
These chocolate products are suited to a separate thank-you or treat occasion at the office. If you’re buying something to share with colleagues, check the number of portions and the allergens on each pack.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack for a thank-you or treat occasion. Check the allergens on the packaging before sharing.
Contents: 288 g.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection for a small thank-you or treat occasion. If you’re sharing it with the team, check how many individual pieces are in the pack and read the allergen information.
Contents: 125 g.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate selection for a one-off occasion. Before sharing, check the number of individual portions and the allergens on the packaging.
Contents: 143 g.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check the allergens in currant buns for the office?
Yes. Check the current packaging for each variety before sharing currant buns. The regular products described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat or gluten and milk; some also mention that other allergens may be present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Is a brown currant bun automatically wholemeal?
No, colour alone doesn’t tell you whether a currant bun is wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label on the packaging. If you want to compare the fibre content of different products, use the same unit, such as per 100 g.
Can I buy currant buns in advance for an office break?
Yes, as long as you can follow the best-before date and storage instructions for the variety you choose. For the currant buns described, PLUS says they can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to another product without checking.
Does every currant bun contain iodine because of baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that every currant bun does. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for the variety described; check the ingredients list on the packaging for any other variety.
Can a box of chocolates replace currant buns as an office snack?
Not necessarily. A box of chocolates is better suited to a gift or one-off treat, while currant buns are a bread snack for an office break. Decide what kind of occasion you’re planning and check the portions, ingredients and allergens for the chocolate separately.