A plain currant bun can be part of a conference buffet, but a supermarket’s Fairtrade cocoa policy doesn’t make that bun a Fairtrade chocolate product. If Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement, check the information on the exact chocolate product you plan to serve. If you’re serving unwrapped buns, also arrange in advance how guests will access allergen information.
Does the cocoa or chocolate served at your conference need to be demonstrably Fairtrade? Check the information on the exact product you’re serving. A supermarket’s general statement about its cocoa range doesn’t tell you whether a currant bun contains cocoa or carries a Fairtrade label.
If you remove the buns from their packaging or put them out on a buffet, make the allergen information for your chosen variety available where they’re served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires allergen information for non-prepacked foods. For cereals containing gluten, you must specify which cereals are involved.
If you want to choose a higher-fibre option within the currant bun category, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists 6.1 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal variety reviewed, compared with 3.3 g for the PLUS variety and 2.8 g for the Jumbo variety reviewed. Also work out how many buns you’ll need for the break.
First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a requirement for the snack being served. Then compare the allergen and nutritional information for the currant buns you actually plan to serve. Any separate chocolate product needs to be checked individually.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check whether the exact product contains cocoa or chocolate and whether it carries a Fairtrade label. | If Fairtrade cocoa needs to feature on the conference menu, I want to be able to link the label to the product being served. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Allergens at the point of service | Record the up-to-date allergen information for each variety and keep it accessible when serving unwrapped buns. | At a buffet, I want to be able to tell guests which allergens their chosen bun contains. This is the main purchasing concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and portions | Compare fibre per 100 g, the number of buns per pack and the storage instructions. | For a conference break, I want to choose a suitable variety and know how many buns I can serve. Nutritional information and portion planning matter most to around 25% of consumers. |
PLUS says it uses Fairtrade cocoa in its own-brand cocoa products. ALDI and Lidl also describe certification for cocoa in their own-brand products. These statements don’t confirm that a particular currant bun contains chocolate or carries a Fairtrade label itself.
Before using a Fairtrade claim on your conference menu, check the ingredients and Fairtrade label on the packaging or product page for the exact item.
It’s then easy to lose the information guests need when unwrapped food is served. The product information reviewed for PLUS, Jumbo and Albert Heijn lists allergens that you need to be able to distinguish for each variety.
Keep the labels and product information, prepare an up-to-date allergen card for service, and update it if you change brand or variety.
The NVWA explains the conditions under which iodine may be present in bread and other baked goods through baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you what every currant bun contains.
Check the ingredients for your chosen variety. For example, the wholemeal currant bun reviewed from Albert Heijn explicitly lists iodised salt.
An option for comparing standard currant buns with a separate cocoa product within the same supermarket range.
Worth considering if you want to compare the wholemeal currant bun reviewed for its nutritional information and ingredients.
A standard raisin and currant bun to compare if you’re looking for packs of six.
Worth considering if you want to compare a pack of six raisin and currant buns with other buying options.
A brand to consider if you’re thinking of serving a separate cocoa product alongside currant buns.
No, not without a Fairtrade label for the exact product and confirmation that it contains cocoa or chocolate. A Fairtrade policy covering other cocoa products from the same supermarket isn’t enough.
Make sure guests can access the allergen information for the products you’ve chosen. According to the NVWA, information about the 14 specified allergens must be available for non-prepacked foods. For cereals containing gluten and for nuts, you must also specify which cereals or nuts are involved. Link this information to the varieties actually on the buffet.
No, you can’t tell that from the term baker’s salt alone. Check the ingredients of your chosen product: Albert Heijn explicitly lists iodised salt for the wholemeal variety reviewed.
Check the information before ordering, then check it again against the packaging you receive before using the allergen card. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary between product varieties or change when a recipe is updated.
