For a satisfying snack during the school holidays, it makes more sense to compare whole currant buns by size than to look for a thickly sliced version: the products described are sold as whole buns. Choose a giant, standard or mini size to suit the occasion, and check the storage instructions if you’re buying enough for several days. Check the portion size, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging; a larger bun doesn’t necessarily tell you anything about its ingredients.
If a regular bun seems too small for a day out during the holidays, a giant bun is one option to compare. PLUS lists a giant version with four whole buns per pack; check the size of each bun if that’s a deciding factor.
If you alternate currant buns with fruit, vegetables or a wholemeal option, compare the portion size and nutritional information per bun. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends vegetables and fruit as snacks for children.
When checking allergens, rely on the information on the exact pack you buy. The standard and giant versions described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients; warnings about possible traces vary by product.
Start with the portion you want to take with you, then compare the nutritional information and allergens on the specific pack.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and portion | Compare giant, standard and mini sizes, the number of buns per pack and the stated portion size. | If one regular bun seems too small for the occasion, I’d rather take a larger whole bun. Around 37% of consumers would consider portion size first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g and per portion actually eaten. | I want to know how this snack fits in with the other things I eat during the day, not just how many buns are in the pack. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise nutritional information. |
| Allergens | Check the pack you buy to see which allergens the product contains and which it may contain. | If I need to take an allergy into account, the information on the pack must be suitable for the person eating the bun. Around 27% of consumers would consider checking allergens their main concern when buying. |
The products described by PLUS, Jumbo and Lidl are sold as whole buns. So an image or search term referring to thick slices tells you little about the portion you’ll actually get.
Compare the size and number of buns per pack, and take a look at the bun itself if its size matters.
Jumbo lists 15,6 g of sugars and 0,66 g of salt per 65 g bun. The general nutritional information from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre is based on a 50 g currant bun, so these figures can’t be compared directly as product values.
Use values per 100 g to compare products, then also check the values for the bun you’ll be eating.
Ingredients and allergen warnings can vary from one product to another. A product page you viewed earlier is no substitute for the label on the pack you buy.
Before eating, check both the allergens listed as present and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging.
Information about another currant bun tells you nothing about the salt in the pack you’re buying.
If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list on that specific pack.
Albert Heijn offers currant and raisin buns in several sizes, including standard and mini versions.
The Jumbo Raisin Currant Buns described are standard-sized buns in a pack of six.
PLUS offers a Korenlanders Giant version with four buns, as well as a longer-life pack containing eight buns.
ALDI describes wheat raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.
Lidl offers currant buns in a pack of six, as well as a mini version.
The products described are sold as whole buns, not thick slices. If you’re looking for a more substantial portion, compare a giant bun with a standard one; a mini version is more suited to a smaller portion.
Before eating, read the label on the exact pack you bought, including any warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products; the versions described list cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients, among others.
According to the product information, you can do this with the Albert Heijn and PLUS versions described, as long as you follow the instructions for that specific product. Both say to freeze them at home on the day of purchase and use them within one month; check the instructions on the current packaging.
First compare sugars, fibre and salt per 100 g, then check the amount per bun you’ll eat. The 50 g currant bun used in the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general information is no substitute for the nutritional information on a specific pack, which may contain larger or smaller buns.
Check the ingredients list on the specific pack for iodised salt. Don’t assume the ingredients are the same as those in another brand or version.
