Fairtrade Currant Buns for Sunday Breakfast: What to Check

Who are these choices relevant to?

Breakfast shoppers who look for Fairtrade

You want to know whether a Fairtrade claim applies to the currant bun itself, rather than relying on the chocolate or other products sold by the supermarket.

Shoppers comparing fibre

You’re looking for a currant bun for breakfast and want to compare its wholemeal content and fibre per 100 g with a white version.

Label readers with specific requirements

You want to check the allergens, ingredients and storage instructions on the exact pack before buying, perhaps because you’re buying the buns ahead of Sunday.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check whether a Fairtrade claim applies to the currant bun itself. Then compare the nutritional information and make sure the pack suits your needs for Sunday breakfast.

What to consider	What to check	Who it matters to
Fairtrade status	Look for a certification mark or clear certification claim that applies to the exact currant bun variety. If relevant, assess any chocolate spread separately.	If fair trade is my priority at breakfast, I want to know exactly what the claim applies to. For around 46% of consumers, product-specific Fairtrade evidence matters most.
Type of bun and fibre	Check whether the bun is wholemeal and compare fibre using the same measure: per 100 g.	Anyone focused mainly on fibre will want to compare a wholemeal bun with a white version. For around 27% of consumers, this is the main consideration.
Labelling and storage	Read the ingredients and allergen statement; also check whether and when the buns can be frozen according to the packaging.	If I’m buying ahead for Sunday or need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the exact pack. Around 27% of consumers prioritise these labelling and storage details.

Common mistakes

Confusing a Fairtrade range with a Fairtrade currant bun

Fairtrade Nederland lists products including chocolate, coffee and tea at various supermarket chains. A claim for one of these other products doesn’t automatically apply to the currant bun on your table.

Check that the certification mark or claim explicitly applies to the currant bun variety shown on the packaging.
Assuming all currant buns contain the same amount of fibre

Albert Heijn states that its wholemeal variety tested contains 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g. The white varieties tested by Jumbo and PLUS state 2,8 g and 3,3 g per 100 g respectively.

Compare the type of bun and the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs you’re considering.
Checking allergens only after you’ve bought them

The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns tested list wheat and milk. Information about possible traces may also be relevant.

Before buying, read the current ingredients list and check both the allergen and trace statements on the packaging.
Assuming every currant bun provides the same amount of iodine

Under the Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs, baker’s salt is defined as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. Jumbo and PLUS list baker’s salt for the varieties tested; this doesn’t tell you anything about other buns.

If you want to know whether a specific currant bun contains baker’s salt, check the ingredients list for that variety.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers a large standard raisin and currant bun, as well as a wholemeal variety called Extra lang lekker.

The wholemeal variety states that it contains 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g and, according to the product information, can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
Check any Fairtrade claim on the currant bun packaging itself, rather than relying on other AH products.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a white raisin and currant bun in a pack of six.

The product information lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, including 2,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
The ingredients include baker’s salt. Check the Fairtrade status and allergens for the exact pack separately.

PLUS

PLUS offers a standard pack of six currant buns and a longer-life variety in a pack of eight.

The standard variety states that it contains 3,3 g of fibre per 100 g; the longer-life variety can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
A Fairtrade claim for cocoa in other PLUS own-brand products doesn’t confirm the status of these currant buns.

ALDI

ALDI describes soft wheat buns with raisins and currants in a pack of six.

The product description makes it clear what type of bun and pack size to look for in store.
Check the nutritional information, allergens and any Fairtrade claim on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Lidl

Lidl describes a freshly baked in-store product, with six currant buns per bag.

The product description mentions soft buns with currants and gives the pack size.
Check the packaging for ingredients and allergens. Fairtrade information about other Lidl products doesn’t automatically apply to these buns.

Related products on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether a currant bun is Fairtrade-certified?

Check that a Fairtrade certification mark or clear certification claim explicitly applies to the exact currant bun variety. A claim for other products sold by the same supermarket isn’t enough.

Does Fairtrade chocolate spread make the currant bun Fairtrade too?

No. A claim for chocolate spread applies to the spread, not automatically to the currant bun. Check the labelling on each product separately.

Does every currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that every currant bun does. The Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products. Check the ingredients list to see whether it’s in your currant bun.

Which currant buns can I buy ahead for Sunday?

Choose according to the storage and freezing instructions on the exact pack. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that certain varieties tested can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Make sure you follow the time limit given for your variety.