Who is this choice relevant to?

Parents looking for an everyday snack

If snack time comes around every day, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for young children and toddlers is a useful starting point: fruit, vegetables or some wholemeal bread.

Parents packing something for childcare or school

A currant bun is easy to take with you, but check the allergens on the packaging and the setting’s rules before packing it.

Families who sometimes choose a currant bun

If it’s an occasional choice, compare the size of the bun, its nutritional value per portion and the storage instructions on each pack.

What should you look for in a snack for a toddler?

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Everyday snack If you’re looking for something for every day, compare the currant bun with fruit, vegetables or some wholemeal bread. If you choose a currant bun, check the ingredients, portion size and nutritional value. If I’m looking for an everyday snack, I want it to fit the advice for toddlers. For around 46% of consumers, this daily choice comes first.
Allergens and setting rules Check the allergens present and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging. Also check what the childcare setting or school allows. When packing a snack for childcare, I need to know whether this particular bun is allowed and fits the allergy arrangements. Around 36% of consumers say this is their top priority.
Portion and storage Compare the weight of each bun and the nutritional information per portion; follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. If I’m taking a currant bun with me, I want to choose a portion that suits the occasion and be able to store the rest. For around 18% of consumers, this practical consideration matters most.

Common mistakes when choosing currant buns

  • Assuming a regular currant bun is a good everyday choice

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit, vegetables and some wholemeal bread as snacks for young children and toddlers. The regular varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS described here are made with white wheat flour.

    First decide whether you’re looking for an everyday snack or a currant bun for an occasional treat. For everyday snacks, follow the advice for toddlers.

  • Relying on the product name alone when dealing with allergies

    The varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS described here contain wheat and milk, among other ingredients; warnings about other allergens vary by product.

    Check the current packaging of the exact variety you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ warning, and check the childcare setting or school’s policy.

  • Assuming a whole bun is automatically a small portion

    For its raisin and currant bun, Jumbo lists 177 kcal, 15,6 g of sugars and 0,66 g of salt per 65 g bun. These values apply to this variety and portion size, not to every currant bun.

    Check the weight and nutritional information per portion for the bun you’re buying. Don’t compare different sizes as if every bun weighed the same.

  • Taking ‘dark’ as proof of ingredients or suitability

    Without checking the label, a description such as ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you which ingredients a specific currant bun contains. The regular supermarket varieties described here are raisin and currant buns, not a proven high-cocoa option for toddlers.

    Assess any such variety by checking the full ingredients list, nutritional information and portion size, rather than relying on the name alone.

Currant bun brands compared

Albert Heijn

AH raisin and currant buns are soft white wheat buns sold in a pack of six; Albert Heijn lists a portion as 65 g.

  • Albert Heijn provides the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and freezing advice for this product.
  • This is not confirmed as a wholemeal variety. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells white wheat raisin and currant buns in packs of six and lists nutritional values per 65 g portion.

  • The ingredients list includes 29,6% raisins and 6,1% currants, so you can compare the ingredients in this variety.
  • This product contains wheat, gluten and milk. Also check the packaging for warnings about possible other allergens.

PLUS

PLUS describes its pack of six currant buns as white wheat raisin and currant buns.

  • PLUS lists 31% raisins and 3,9% currants, and advises freezing the buns on the day of purchase.
  • The ingredients information includes wheat, rye and milk, among other things. Check this variety’s packaging for any warnings about other allergens.

Lidl

Lidl describes its regular currant buns as soft buns with currants, sold in packs of six, and also lists a separate mini variety.

  • The distinction between regular buns and the mini variety makes it worth checking the size on the pack you choose.
  • Lidl does not publish an online list of ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for food products. Check the packaging for this information.

ALDI

ALDI describes its pack of six raisin and currant buns as soft wheat buns with raisins and currants.

  • The product description makes clear that this is a regular pack of six raisin and currant buns.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional value on the packaging before choosing this variety as a snack for a toddler.

Currant buns on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a regular currant bun suitable as an everyday snack for a toddler?

A regular white currant bun isn’t an obvious everyday choice under the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s snack advice. For young children and toddlers, it recommends fruit, vegetables or some wholemeal bread; a currant bun can be considered as an occasional choice.

What should I check about allergies before sending a currant bun to childcare?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact variety and check the childcare setting’s rules. The varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS described here contain wheat and milk, among other ingredients, and may also carry warnings about other allergens.

Can I freeze currant buns for snacks later on?

Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn and PLUS advise freezing the varieties described here on the day of purchase and using them within one month; don’t assume the same advice applies to a different product.

Does every currant bun contain iodised salt?

No, you can’t assume that every currant bun does. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in the ingredients of its raisin and currant buns; for another variety, check the current ingredients list separately.