For Easter brunch, only choose a currant bun labelled sugar-free if its nutrition information shows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, that is the threshold for using this claim. The currant buns listed by Jumbo and PLUS contain 24.0 g and 25.7 g of sugars per 100 g respectively, so they do not meet it. If your main aim is to avoid added sugars, check the ingredients too: a currant bun with no added sugars may still contain sugars from raisins and currants.
If sugar-free is a firm requirement for your Easter brunch, check the total sugars per 100 g in the exact product you’re considering. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, a product carrying this claim can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. This includes sugars from dried fruit.
If sugars from raisins and currants are fine for you, choosing a product with no added sugars is different from choosing one that is sugar-free. Read the ingredients list as well as the ‘of which sugars’ figure so you know the product’s total sugar content.
A currant bun can be served alongside other breads. When planning your brunch, compare fibre, portion size and allergens too. If you’re adding wholemeal or brown bread, assess its sugar content separately.
First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement or whether you mainly want to avoid added sugars. Then you can weigh up the type of bread and the other information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly sugar-free | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, a sugar-free product may contain no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. | If sugar-free is a firm requirement for my Easter brunch, I want to count sugars from raisins and currants too. Around 50% of consumers say this strict requirement comes first. |
| No added sugars | Check the ingredients for added sugar or sweetening ingredients, and compare the total sugars per 100 g as well. | I want to keep the flavour of dried fruit, but not have added sugars in the bun. Around 30% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Putting the brunch together | Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g, and check the allergens on the packaging. | When I’m serving guests a selection of breads, fibre, portions and ingredients matter more to me than a sugar-free claim. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this broader set of considerations. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, products with no added sugars can still contain naturally occurring sugars. In a currant bun, these may come from raisins and currants.
For a strictly sugar-free choice, use the threshold of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g under EU rules on nutrition claims. Assess any claim about added sugars separately by checking the ingredients.
Naturally occurring sugars are included in the total ‘of which sugars’ figure too. Jumbo lists 24.0 g of sugars per 100 g for its Raisin and Currant Buns, while PLUS lists 25.7 g per 100 g for its Korenlanders Giant Currant and Raisin Buns.
Compare the nutrition information for the exact product per 100 g, rather than relying on whether it contains fruit.
Ingredients and nutrition information can change. A short product description may also not include all the details you need to assess sugars or allergens.
Check the current packaging before serving, especially if a guest has a specific requirement relating to ingredients or allergens.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholegrain products as higher in fibre than white products made with flour. That alone says nothing about the amount of sugars in a currant bun or other fruit bread.
Assess the type of bread and its fibre separately from the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients list.
These examples can help you interpret product information. Always check the current packaging of the variant you want to buy for Easter brunch.
Jumbo lists a pack of six Raisin and Currant Buns.
PLUS publishes nutrition information for its Korenlanders Giant Currant and Raisin Buns.
Albert Heijn sells raisin and currant buns, including its own-brand varieties.
ALDI lists a pack of six raisin and currant buns.
Lidl lists giant raisin and currant buns in a pack of four, each weighing 100 g.
No, the terms don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sugars can occur naturally when no sugars or products used for their sweetening properties have been added. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, a sugar-free product may contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
Raisins contain naturally occurring sugars, which are included in the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the nutrition table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 13.8 g of sugar in a 20 g handful of raisins. To check whether a specific currant bun meets the sugar-free threshold, look at its total sugars per 100 g.
Focus on the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, and check the ingredients if you want to avoid added sugars. Fibre, portion size and allergens are separate considerations for your brunch; check the information for the exact variants you’re considering.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve bought. PLUS says its Krentenbollen lekker lang lekker can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other products.
