Who should consider these factors?

Parents who regularly make packed lunches

If currant buns go to school regularly, think about how many are in a pack and whether you can use them before they start to go stale. If you plan to freeze them, check the instructions on the pack you buy.

Parents choosing a regular lunch staple

If a currant bun becomes more than an occasional change, it’s worth checking the type of grain and the nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread for school lunches.

Parents who need to check allergens

If your child has coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or another relevant food intolerance, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. Also bear in mind your school’s policies and the risk of different foods coming into contact when you pack the lunch.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the currant bun is an occasional change or a regular lunch staple. Then check that the pack suits how you plan to use it and that the ingredients are suitable for the child taking the lunch to school.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most relevant to?
Portions and storage Check how many buns are in the pack and read the storage or freezing instructions for that specific product. If I’m making several school lunches from one pack, I want to avoid having buns left over that I can’t use. Around 42% of consumers prioritise making good use of a product and reducing waste.
Type of grain and fibre Check whether the product is genuinely wholemeal and, if needed, compare the fibre per 100 g. If the same bread product is often included in a lunch, I want to know whether I’m packing a white currant bun or a wholemeal or brown alternative. For around 33% of consumers, choosing a regular lunch staple is the most important consideration.
Allergens and school policies Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check what policies apply at school. If my child needs to avoid a particular allergen, both the contents of the pack and the way I pack the lunch need to be suitable. Around 25% of consumers prioritise allergen suitability and school policies.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a bigger pack without thinking about how you’ll use it

    A pack with more buns is only practical if you can use them in time or store them according to the instructions.

    Choose a pack size that suits the number of school days you’re preparing lunches for. If you freeze the buns, follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought.

  • Assuming a white currant bun is the same as wholemeal bread

    The standard currant buns from Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn discussed here are made with white wheat flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread as a regular staple for school lunches.

    If you’re considering a wholemeal version, check both the product name and the ingredients. Treat a standard currant bun as a separate lunch choice, rather than automatically using it as a substitute for wholemeal bread.

  • Assuming every currant bun is suitable for someone with an allergy

    The standard versions discussed here contain wheat or cereals containing gluten. Other allergens may also vary from product to product.

    Check the label every time you buy them, including any warnings about traces. When packing the lunch, take care to avoid contact with other foods too.

  • Assuming which salt has been used based on the type of product

    The name ‘currant bun’ doesn’t tell you whether a particular version contains baker’s salt with added iodine.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.

Brands to consider

ALDI

ALDI lists raisin currant buns in a pack of six.

  • The pack size lets you decide in advance how many school lunches you want to make with it.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells standard white raisin currant buns in a pack of six.

  • The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values; this version contains 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This standard version isn’t wholemeal. If allergies are a concern, check the current packaging.

PLUS

PLUS lists both standard currant buns in packs of six and a longer-life version in a pack of eight.

  • For the longer-life version, PLUS says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
  • The standard white wheat version contains gluten and milk. Check the label and storage instructions for each version.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information about currant buns and related bread products.

  • The standard white raisin currant buns described here list their ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • When buying them, check the details for the version you’ve chosen. Information about a different version isn’t a substitute.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns in packs of six as an in-store product.

  • The number of buns in each pack is clear in advance.
  • Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a child with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy eat standard currant buns?

The standard currant buns discussed here aren’t suitable to pack without checking them individually: they contain wheat or cereals containing gluten. If your child has coeliac disease, look for an explicit gluten-free label and avoid contact with gluten when packing the lunch. For a wheat allergy, you’ll also need to check specifically whether the product contains wheat; a gluten-free label alone doesn’t answer that question.

Are standard currant buns the same as wholemeal bread for a school lunch?

No. The standard versions from Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn discussed here are white wheat currant buns. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal or brown bread as a school lunch staple. If you’re considering a different currant bun, check the label to see whether it’s genuinely wholemeal.

Can you freeze currant buns for school lunches later in the week?

You can, if the instructions for the version you’ve bought allow it. PLUS says its longer-life currant buns can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to a different pack.

Does every currant bun contain baker’s salt with added iodine?

You can’t tell from the name ‘currant bun’. Check the ingredients list on the specific pack if the type of salt used matters to you.

Should you check your school’s or after-school club’s policies?

Yes. Check the policies at your child’s school or after-school club before packing their lunch. In particular, ask about rules for food brought from home and relevant allergens; these can vary from one setting to another.