Who are these points relevant to?

Holidaymakers who look for Fairtrade

You want to know whether a Fairtrade label applies to the currant buns you’ve chosen, rather than just another product in the range. Check the logo and the information on the pack.

People planning ahead with a freezer

You’re buying currant buns before you leave to last for several days. Check the freezing and defrosting instructions for your chosen variety, and make sure your holiday home has freezer space.

Careful label readers

You want to check the ingredients, allergens and type of salt listed for your group. Read the current packaging, as product information can change.

What should you check when buying?

Check the Fairtrade label on the currant buns themselves, and also make sure the storage instructions and ingredients are right for your stay.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Fairtrade label Check the certification mark on the pack. If there’s an arrow next to the logo, read the information about which ingredients it applies to. I want the Fairtrade claim to apply to my currant buns, not other products from the shop. Around 46% of consumers prioritise verifiable Fairtrade status.
Stocking up and storage Check whether and when you can freeze the buns, and what to do after defrosting. Make sure there’s freezer space at your holiday home. If I’m bringing breakfast for several days, I want to know how to store the buns without having to shop every day. Around 27% of consumers prioritise planning ahead with their supplies.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any possible traces and the type of salt listed. When shopping for a group, I want to check which ingredients and allergens matter. For around 27% of consumers, this information on the label is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a Fairtrade range means the currant buns are Fairtrade

    A supermarket selling Fairtrade products tells you nothing about the certification of the currant buns you’ve chosen. For example, Jumbo’s separate Fairtrade category doesn’t confirm a Fairtrade claim for its raisin and currant buns.

    Check the label on the specific pack of currant buns.

  • Assuming every ingredient is Fairtrade

    For a product made with several ingredients, a Fairtrade logo with an arrow means you should read the explanation on the pack. According to Fairtrade Netherlands, the product must contain at least 20% Fairtrade ingredients overall; this doesn’t mean every ingredient is Fairtrade.

    Check the back of the pack to see which ingredients the claim applies to, and decide whether that meets your needs.

  • Planning to freeze them without checking the defrosting instructions

    Albert Heijn says that its fresh-frozen currant buns must not be refrozen after defrosting.

    Check the freezer space before you leave, and only defrost as many buns as you expect to use during your stay.

  • Assuming they all contain the same type of salt

    The product information discussed here doesn’t use the same name for salt in every case: Jumbo lists baker’s salt for its raisin and currant buns, while Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for one of the varieties discussed.

    If the type of salt matters to you, read the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn gives different storage instructions for its standard and fresh-frozen currant buns.

  • According to Albert Heijn, you can freeze the standard variety discussed here at home on the day you buy it.
  • If you’re looking for a Fairtrade option, check the label on the currant buns themselves; storage information doesn’t tell you whether they’re certified.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides ingredients and allergen information for its raisin and currant buns, as well as having a separate Fairtrade category.

  • The ingredients list for the buns discussed here includes wheat flour, raisins, currants and baker’s salt, among other ingredients.
  • The Fairtrade category doesn’t prove that these currant buns are certified; check their own packaging.

PLUS

PLUS is worth considering if you’re also thinking about buying a product containing cocoa alongside your currant buns.

  • PLUS says that the cocoa in its own-brand products has been Fairtrade-certified since 2020.
  • This statement about cocoa doesn’t confirm that any currant buns are Fairtrade.

Currant buns at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Fairtrade logo mean that every ingredient in currant buns is Fairtrade?

No, not necessarily. According to Fairtrade Netherlands, a composite product carrying a Fairtrade logo with an arrow must contain at least 20% Fairtrade ingredients overall. Read the information on the pack to see which ingredients the claim applies to.

Are the Albert Heijn and Jumbo currant buns discussed here a verifiable Fairtrade option?

Only treat these varieties as a Fairtrade option if their current packaging displays a certification mark or makes a clear claim about the ingredients. A shop’s Fairtrade range or the storage information for its currant buns isn’t enough.

How can I take currant buns to a holiday home as part of my supplies?

Follow the storage instructions for the variety you buy and check whether there’s freezer space. According to Albert Heijn, you can freeze the standard currant buns discussed here at home on the day you buy them and use them within one month. The fresh-frozen variety discussed here should be kept at −18 °C and must not be refrozen after defrosting.

How can I check what type of salt is in currant buns?

Read the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen. Jumbo lists baker’s salt for its raisin and currant buns discussed here, while Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for one of the varieties discussed. Don’t assume the same type is listed for all currant buns.