Who is this relevant to?

Anyone looking for a ‘sugar-free’ claim

You only want to choose a currant bun if the ‘sugar-free’ claim is consistent with the nutritional information. A ‘no added sugars’ claim does not mean the same thing for this purpose.

Coffee drinkers who watch their portions

You’d like to enjoy a regular currant bun with your coffee now and then, but you check the sugars per 100 g and how much you actually eat.

Anyone keeping an eye on fibre

You’re looking for a wholemeal base and comparing the fibre content. You check sugars separately, as wholemeal on its own says nothing about the amount of sugar from currants or raisins.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for a ‘sugar-free’ claim or mainly watching the sugar in each coffee break. If fibre is your priority, compare it alongside sugars, not instead of them.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
‘Sugar-free’ claim Read the exact claim and check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g. If I only want a currant bun with a ‘sugar-free’ claim, less added sugar isn’t enough for me. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this strict approach to sugar.
Sugars per coffee break Compare sugars per 100 g, then check the weight of your portion. Read the ingredients if you also want to assess added sugars. I want to be able to enjoy a regular currant bun with my coffee without losing sight of the sugars I eat at one time. For around 33% of consumers, this balance between portion size and sugar is the main priority.
Wholemeal base and fibre Check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal flour, and compare fibre and sugars per 100 g. For my coffee break, I’d prefer a bun with a wholemeal base and keep an eye on fibre, even if it contains sugars from dried fruit. Fibre is the main priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ and ‘no added sugars’ mean the same thing

    Even without added sugars, currants and raisins can add sugar to a bun. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘sugar-free’ claim means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

    Read the exact claim on the packaging and check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table.

  • Assuming every currant bun is high in fibre

    The versions listed by Jumbo and PLUS contain 2.8 g and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g respectively. So, to assess a currant bun’s fibre content, you need to check the figures for the specific version.

    Look for a wholemeal version if that’s what you prefer, then compare both fibre and sugars per 100 g.

  • Comparing sugars per bun only

    A mini, standard and larger bun don’t have the same portion size. So, figures per bun don’t necessarily show how the products compare at the same weight.

    Compare products per 100 g first, then consider how much you eat during your coffee break.

  • Relying on outdated ingredient information

    Ingredients and allergens depend on the version you choose; recipes and product information can change.

    When you buy one, read the label on the exact currant bun you want to eat, especially if particular ingredients matter to your choice.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for raisin and currant buns, and sells currant buns and muesli buns.

  • For the raisin and currant buns described, Albert Heijn lists 25 g of sugars and 2.9 g of fibre per 100 g, as well as ingredient information.
  • These figures don’t make this a sugar-free option. Check the label when you buy, as product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for white raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.

  • For this version, Jumbo lists 24.0 g of sugars, 2.8 g of fibre and 1.02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • These figures are for the white wheat version described; the sugar value given does not support a ‘sugar-free’ claim.

PLUS

PLUS sells standard, mini and larger currant and raisin buns.

  • For the standard version described, PLUS lists 25.5 g of sugars and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • A mini or larger bun doesn’t automatically have a lower sugar content. Compare the nutritional information for the version you choose.

Lidl

Lidl lists both currant buns in a pack of six and mini wholemeal raisin buns.

  • The mini wholemeal raisin buns offer a different bread and portion option to compare with standard currant buns.
  • Check the sugars and fibre for the specific version on the packaging; ‘mini’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t in themselves mean it contains less sugar.

ALDI

ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in a pack of six, as well as other sizes of raisin buns in its bakery range.

  • The size and number of buns in the pack can help you decide on a portion for your coffee break.
  • Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you choose before drawing conclusions about sugars or fibre.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a currant bun with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘no added sugars’ means that no sugars or other foods have been added for their sweetening properties; sugars naturally present in currants and raisins may still be there. For ‘sugar-free’, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre specifies a maximum of 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

How should I compare currant buns if I’m watching my sugar intake?

First compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then decide how much you eat during each coffee break. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 15.9 g of sugar for a 50 g currant bun; the amount in your bun will depend on the version and portion size. Also check the ingredients if you want to take added sugars into account.

Does a wholemeal raisin bun automatically contain less sugar?

No, a wholemeal base doesn’t tell you how much sugar a raisin bun contains. If you choose one for its fibre, compare fibre per 100 g and check the ‘of which sugars’ value separately.

Does baker’s salt in a currant bun always contain iodine?

Not necessarily. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread and other baked goods through baker’s salt; this doesn’t mean every currant bun contains iodised salt. Check the ingredients of the specific bun if this matters to your choice.

How do I check for allergens in currant buns?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the version you’re buying. The products described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain, among other things, wheat and milk ingredients; other ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings can vary between products.