Who is this choice relevant to?

Festive shopper looking for a certification mark

You want to know whether the specific currant bun carries a Fairtrade mark or ingredient claim for New Year’s Eve. Information about the shop or another product isn’t enough.

Host catering for different dietary needs

You’re looking for enough currant buns for your guests and want to check the pack size, ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety before buying.

Comparing nutritional values

You want to compare the fibre, sugars and salt in currant buns. To do so, use the nutritional information per 100 g for the varieties you’re considering.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether verifiable Fairtrade status is a must-have. Then choose a pack that suits your group and check the nutritional information and allergens for the specific variety you’re buying.

Currant bun with a Fairtrade mark

Choose this: if the Fairtrade status of the specific currant bun is the deciding factor for you.

Bear in mind: according to Fairtrade Nederland and Milieu Centraal’s label guide, marks on composite products can indicate in different ways which ingredients meet Fairtrade conditions.

Standard currant bun

Choose this: if you’re looking for currant buns for your guests without making Fairtrade a strict buying requirement.

Limit to this choice: don’t infer Fairtrade status from the supermarket’s name or from claims about other own-brand products.

Bake your own

Choose this: if you want to decide for yourself which individually verified ingredients to use.

Bear in mind: the time it takes to bake; using Fairtrade ingredients doesn’t automatically make the finished product a certified currant bun.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important to?
Fairtrade status Check the mark or named Fairtrade ingredients on the current packaging or product page for the currant bun itself. If I want to choose Fairtrade for New Year’s Eve, the mark must relate to the currant bun, not just the shop. Around 42% of consumers put this check first.
Number of buns Check the pack size and whether your chosen variety is available where you do your shopping. When I’m catering for a group, I want to know how many currant buns I can serve rather than rely on an outdated product listing. For around 25% of consumers, getting the right quantity is their main concern.
Nutritional value Compare fibre, sugars and salt on the same basis: per 100 g for the varieties you’ve chosen. When I’m deciding between varieties, I want to compare their nutritional values rather than go by the product name. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
Allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging you buy. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the currant bun I’m serving. Around 16% of consumers put this check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a Fairtrade claim about the shop applies to its currant buns

    Fairtrade Nederland describes marks for composite products and ingredients. Information about Fairtrade cocoa in other PLUS own-brand products doesn’t tell you the status of a specific currant bun.

    Look for the mark on the current packaging or product page for the currant bun, and check what the claim applies to.

  • Assuming the product name tells you it contains iodised baker’s salt

    The name ‘currant bun’ doesn’t tell you which salt was used in the variety you’ve chosen.

    Check the ingredients list if it matters to you whether the bun contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.

  • Relying on an old product page

    Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. A page you viewed earlier may not match the pack you buy for New Year’s Eve.

    Read the label on the actual pack before serving the currant buns.

  • Skipping allergen checks when catering for a group

    Product information from retailers including Jumbo and PLUS lists wheat and milk ingredients for the varieties reviewed; warnings about possible traces can vary from product to product.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on each pack you choose. If you’re buying loose currant buns, ask for the allergen information before you buy.

Brands and shops compared

The currant buns listed here are examples to compare pack sizes and label information, not confirmed Fairtrade options. Check the status of each variety separately.

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH Rozijnen krentenbollen describes a pack of 6.

  • The ingredients, allergens and nutritional values are useful for assessing this variety.
  • Check the current product status and pack before buying; don’t infer Fairtrade status from the shop’s name.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes Rozijnen Krentenbollen as a pack of 6.

  • The product information lists ingredients and nutritional values, including fibre, sugars and salt.
  • Check for a Fairtrade mark on the specific pack; the name of this standard variety doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status.

PLUS

PLUS describes currant buns in a bag of 6, with ingredients and nutritional information.

  • The product information also includes advice on freezing this variety.
  • Fairtrade Nederland’s information about cocoa in PLUS own-brand products doesn’t confirm Fairtrade status for PLUS currant buns.

ALDI

ALDI describes Rozijnen-krentenbollen as a pack of 6.

  • The pack size helps you work out how many you’ll need for your group.
  • Check the label in store for ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and any Fairtrade mark.

Lidl

Lidl describes currant buns in a bag of 6 and refers shoppers to the store for this product.

  • The stated pack size is useful when planning portions.
  • Check the shelf label and packaging for ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and any Fairtrade mark.

Currant buns at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a currant bun is Fairtrade?

Check the mark or specific ingredient claim on the current packaging or product page for that currant bun. Fairtrade Nederland and Milieu Centraal’s label guide distinguish between marks for composite products and those for individual ingredients, so check what the mark applies to. A general Fairtrade claim about the supermarket isn’t enough to confirm the status of its currant buns.

How can I tell whether a currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients list for the currant bun you’ve chosen for wording such as ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’. The product name alone doesn’t tell you which salt was used.

Which allergens should I check when buying currant buns for guests?

Read the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the pack you’re actually buying. The standard varieties described by retailers including Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and milk ingredients, but ingredients and warnings can vary between varieties. If you’re buying loose products, ask for the allergen information before you buy.

Can I freeze currant buns in advance for New Year’s Eve?

It depends on the instructions for the variety you buy. PLUS says that its currant buns can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other currant buns, check the packaging or product information.