Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want Fairtrade cocoa with your coffee

You want to be able to check whether the cocoa in your chocolate is Fairtrade-certified. You’re also happy to choose your chocolate and currant buns as separate products.

If you want to grab a currant bun quickly

You’re looking for something for a short morning break and want to check the pack size, storage instructions and allergens before buying.

If you compare portions and nutritional information

You’re considering standard, mini or wholemeal varieties and want to know what the packaging says about portion size, fibre, salt and ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether Fairtrade cocoa in your chocolate is a must-have for your coffee break. Then compare currant buns by size and label information; a certification mark on the chocolate says nothing about the bun.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this most important to?
Fairtrade cocoa Check whether the currant bun contains cocoa or chocolate. Look for the Fairtrade logo on the chocolate or cocoa product you’re actually buying; according to Milieu Centraal, a logo with a white background indicates a certified ingredient only. I want to know whether the cocoa in my chocolate is Fairtrade-certified, even if I buy it separately from the currant bun. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Convenience with your coffee Check the number of buns in the pack, the portion size and the storage instructions. Check the allergens if you’re sharing the buns with others. For a short break, I want to be able to take a currant bun with me and know how many are in the pack. Around 30% of consumers value this convenience most.
Portion and label Compare fibre per 100 g and per portion, and check the ingredients, allergens and salt content. Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if this information matters to your choice. When choosing between a regular, mini or wholemeal variety, I want to compare the portion and nutritional information rather than judge by the name alone. This is the first thing around 30% of consumers focus on.

Common mistakes

  • Expecting Fairtrade chocolate in a regular currant bun

    The ingredient lists for the Albert Heijn and Jumbo raisin and currant buns reviewed here don’t mention cocoa or chocolate. So you can’t assume these varieties make a Fairtrade claim about their cocoa.

    If Fairtrade cocoa is essential, check the certification mark on a separate chocolate or cocoa product.

  • Assuming a statement about a range applies to every currant bun

    In 2023, Fairtrade Nederland described a policy on cocoa in PLUS own-brand products. This doesn’t tell you whether a specific currant bun contains cocoa or which certification mark appears on the current packaging.

    Check the ingredients and any certification marks on the exact product you want to buy.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt

    Voedingscentrum says that not all bakers use baker’s salt. So you’ll need to check the ingredients for the particular currant bun.

    Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt, iodised salt or a similar description.

  • Treating ‘mini’ or ‘wholemeal’ as a complete nutritional comparison

    A description of the size or type of grain doesn’t tell you by itself how much fibre or salt the bun contains, or which allergens are listed.

    Compare the current nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, as well as the ingredients and allergens.

Brands to consider

These brands offer different types of currant and raisin buns. Always check the ingredients and certification marks for each individual variety.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers standard and large raisin and currant buns as separate varieties.

  • The standard variety described lists a 65 g portion, 2.9 g of fibre per 100 g, allergens and iodised salt.
  • The standard variety in question was listed as no longer in the range. Check the packaging of the variety you actually choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a pack of six own-brand raisin and currant buns.

  • The product information lists, among other things, 29.6% raisins, 6.1% currants and 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The white wheat variety described lists milk and gluten as allergens; the ingredients list doesn’t mention cocoa or chocolate.

PLUS

PLUS offers a six-pack of own-brand currant buns.

  • The product information recommends storing this pack in a cool, dry place away from light.
  • A 2023 statement by Fairtrade Nederland about cocoa in PLUS own-brand products doesn’t confirm that these currant buns contain certified cocoa.

Lidl

Lidl offers six-packs of currant buns, as well as a separate mini wholemeal raisin bun.

  • The separate product names make it clear that the mini wholemeal raisin bun is not the same variety as a regular currant bun.
  • Check the packaging of your chosen variety for ingredients, nutritional information and any certification marks.

ALDI

ALDI describes a pack of six wheat-based raisin and currant buns.

  • The product description mentions raisins and currants and states how many buns are in the pack.
  • Use the packaging for the specific product to check its ingredients, nutritional information and any certification marks.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a currant bun become Fairtrade if I eat it with Fairtrade coffee?

No, the certification mark on the coffee doesn’t automatically apply to the currant bun. What’s more, the ingredient lists for the standard Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties reviewed here don’t mention cocoa or chocolate. Check for a Fairtrade label on the product whose claim you want to verify.

What does a Fairtrade logo with a white background on chocolate mean?

According to Milieu Centraal, the logo indicates a Fairtrade-certified ingredient, not necessarily the whole product. Check the packaging to see which ingredient the label refers to.

How can I check whether a currant bun contains iodised salt?

Read the ingredients list for the specific currant bun and look for baker’s salt or iodised salt. Don’t rely on the product category alone: Voedingscentrum says that not all bakers use baker’s salt.

How should I store currant buns for a coffee break later in the week?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the packaging you buy. The PLUS currant buns described here are labelled ‘store in a cool, dry place away from light’; check the instructions again for any other variety.