For a school fair, choose currant buns whose packaging label you can check against the school’s allergy policy. The Jumbo and PLUS products described contain wheat or gluten and milk; also check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens. If you want to mention Fairtrade, look for the certification mark on the specific currant bun, or limit your claim to a separately chosen ingredient that you can verify is certified.
If you need to inform parents and pupils about allergens, it helps to have the ingredients and warnings on the packaging available to check when you’re selling the buns. Also check the school’s arrangements for selling individual buns.
For a Fairtrade claim, the certification mark on the specific product or ingredient matters. Fairtrade Netherlands lists cocoa as a product category, but that doesn’t automatically make a chocolate currant bun Fairtrade-certified.
The pack size and bun size determine how many individual portions you can sell. PLUS, for example, describes a bag of nine mini buns, while ALDI lists a bag of six currant and raisin buns. Also check the storage instructions on the packaging you buy.
First decide how you’ll sell the buns and what allergy arrangements the school has in place. Then choose a suitable size and decide whether Fairtrade certification is required for the whole bun or just a separate ingredient.
Choose these: if you want to sell the buns without any extra preparation and can keep the ingredients information from the packaging you buy available.
Bear in mind: the Jumbo and PLUS varieties described contain wheat or gluten and milk; their product information doesn’t confirm that the buns are Fairtrade-certified.
Choose this: only if the school allows chocolate and the specific chocolate product carries a Fairtrade mark that you can verify.
Bear in mind: a certification mark on the chocolate doesn’t automatically apply to the whole bun; check the allergen information for both products.
Choose these: if you want to decide on the ingredients and portion size yourself, and the school has suitable arrangements for preparation and sale.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check the ingredients used and any risk of cross-contact. If the rules for selling non-prepacked food apply, information about any allergens present must be available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergen information | Compare the label on the packaging you buy with the school’s policy. Check both the allergens present and warnings about possible traces. | If I’m selling buns to pupils, I want to be able to answer questions about the ingredients without relying on my memory. Verifiable allergen information is the top priority for around 34% of consumers. |
| Fairtrade certification mark | Check for the mark on the specific currant bun or, if serving chocolate separately, on that chocolate product. Make a claim only about the certified part. | I want to be able to show what my Fairtrade claim applies to at the fair. Verifiable Fairtrade status is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portions and stock | Compare the pack size and bun size, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If I’m selling lots of individual items, I want to estimate how many bags we’ll need and whether the size is suitable for serving. Around 20% of consumers give portions and stock the highest priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the type of grain and compare fibre per 100 g if that matters to your choice. Ask what type of salt was used if you want to mention iodine. | I don’t want to describe a bun as wholemeal or a source of iodine without checking this for the specific product. These product details matter most to around 13% of consumers. |
Fairtrade Netherlands lists cocoa as a product category. A certification mark on the chocolate alone doesn’t tell you whether the whole currant bun is certified.
Check the mark on the exact product. If chocolate has been added, only make a claim about the part whose certification you can verify.
For the varieties described, Jumbo and PLUS list warnings about the possible presence of other allergens as well as the allergens present. A warning like this may be particularly important to the school.
Discuss the current label with the person responsible at the school. If you’re selling individual buns, keep the product information available to answer customers’ questions.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume it’s present just from the type of product.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker about the specific product before mentioning the salt used.
Jumbo describes a six-pack of Raisin Currant Buns, with ingredients and allergen information on the product page.
PLUS describes packs of nine mini currant and raisin buns, as well as another variety of currant bun sold in packs of eight.
ALDI describes currant and raisin buns sold in packs of six.
Albert Heijn lists AH Raisin Currant Buns among its range of currant buns.
No, the varieties described list wheat or gluten, so they aren’t a gluten-free option. When buying, also check the other allergen information on the packaging, including warnings about possible traces.
If the rules for selling non-prepacked food apply to your sale, consumers must be given information about any allergens present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains this information requirement; discuss with the school or organiser how it will be handled for your type of sale.
Not automatically: a certification mark on the chocolate doesn’t necessarily certify the whole currant bun. Check the product description under which you’re allowed to use the mark on the specific chocolate, and limit your claim to that part.
No, don’t assume a bun contains iodine just because it’s a currant bun. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the product information or ask the baker what salt was used, without automatically making a nutrition claim.
Check the packaging of the currant buns you’ve actually bought before selling them. Online information can help you compare varieties, but Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional and allergy information may change.
