Who is this choice for?

Parents with strict sugar requirements

For carers for whom the total amount of sugars is the deciding factor. A statement about added sugars alone won’t answer their question; the nutrition table on the packaging needs to meet their requirements.

Parents of a fussy bread eater

For families where a familiar currant bun is more likely to be accepted, but who also want to consider portion size, sugars and allergens.

Families looking for an everyday bread staple

For parents weighing up a currant bun against other bread choices for breakfast or lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread as bread options for children.

What should you look for?

First decide whether keeping total sugar low is a strict requirement or simply a preference alongside how likely your child is to accept the bread. Then compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion, so a smaller size doesn’t skew the comparison.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Strict sugar requirements Read any claims alongside the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table. Check that the total amount per 100 g and per portion meets your requirements. If I can only choose a product that meets strict sugar requirements, I don’t want to go by the name alone. For around 44% of consumers, verifiable total sugar would be the first condition for making a purchase.
Sugars and portion size Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per bun; consider added sugars separately from the total amount. My child accepts a familiar raisin and currant bun, but I want to take the amount of sugars into account without ruling out that type of bread straight away. For around 33% of consumers, balancing sugars against acceptance would come first.
Everyday bread staple Compare the nutrition information for currant buns with that for wholemeal or brown bread, and check the allergens in your chosen product. For everyday lunches, I’m looking for bread my child will eat that can also serve as a regular staple. Around 23% of consumers would consider this everyday bread choice their main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an ordinary currant bun based on the search term ‘sugar-free’

    A search term tells you nothing about the sugars in a specific bun. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 15.9 g of sugar in a 50 g currant bun; Jumbo and PLUS list 24.0 g and 25.5 g per 100 g respectively for the varieties reviewed.

    If you need to keep total sugar very low, check the current nutrition table for the exact product you’re choosing before you buy.

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘low in sugars’

    A statement about added sugars doesn’t automatically tell you the total amount. Raisins and currants also contribute to the sugars in a currant bun.

    Read the ingredients and compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and per portion; assess the two statements separately.

  • Automatically making a currant bun your everyday bread staple

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal and brown bread as bread options for children. Its school lunch list includes currant buns among the occasional choices.

    Use this information to weigh up a familiar currant bun against other bread options for regular breakfasts or lunches.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains baker’s salt

    Baker’s salt contains iodine, but according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. Its presence therefore varies from product to product.

    Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt, or ask your baker if this is relevant to your choice.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a category featuring currant buns and muesli buns in various pack sizes. These products aren’t interchangeable if you’re specifically looking for a currant bun.

  • You can browse different sizes and types of product within the category.
  • Check the current ingredients, allergens and sugars for the pack you choose; the category listing doesn’t tell you whether a product meets strict sugar requirements.

Jumbo

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

  • The product information includes details such as ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • According to Jumbo, this variety contains 24.0 g of sugars per 100 g and 15.6 g per 65 g bun. It’s therefore not a suitable benchmark if you need to keep total sugar very low.

PLUS

PLUS lists a longer-life own-brand variety in a bag of eight currant buns.

  • PLUS lists total and added sugars separately, as well as allergen and storage information.
  • According to PLUS, this variety contains 25.5 g of total sugars and 1.61 g of added sugars per 100 g. Don’t compare the two figures as if they mean the same thing.

ALDI

ALDI lists a pack of six raisin and currant buns.

  • The product listing makes it clear what type of bun and pack size you’re looking for.
  • If you have sugar requirements or an allergy, check the nutrition information and ingredients on the current packaging.

Lidl

Lidl lists mini raisin and currant buns.

  • The mini size is a useful distinction when comparing portions.
  • A smaller bun doesn’t in itself tell you anything about the sugars per 100 g. Check the nutrition table for the variety you choose.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary currant buns sugar-free?

The ordinary currant buns reviewed from Jumbo and PLUS aren’t suitable if you need to keep total sugar very low: the retailers list 24.0 g and 25.5 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. For a different variety, always check its own packaging rather than relying on these figures.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No, these statements answer different questions. For the total amount, check ‘of which sugars’ in the nutrition table and read the ingredients and any statement about added sugars separately; raisins and currants also contribute to the total amount.

Can I pack a currant bun in my child’s school lunch every day?

Don’t automatically make a currant bun your everyday bread staple. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists currant buns among the occasional choices in its school lunch list and recommends wholemeal and brown bread as bread options for children; you can weigh up a currant bun as a change from these.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging for the exact variety you want to buy. The product information for the Jumbo and PLUS currant buns reviewed lists ingredients including wheat and milk; don’t assume the ingredients and allergens are the same across all brands.

Does every currant bun contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that every currant bun does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers don’t have to use it; check the ingredients list or ask your baker.