Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You’re looking for a product that can genuinely be described as sugar-free, not simply a version with no added sugars. Check the total sugars per 100 g before choosing a currant bun.

Festival-goers who want to bring breakfast with them

You want to choose a suitable portion in advance, so you’ll look at the packaging, storage instructions and availability as well as the nutrition information.

Consumers comparing food labels

As well as sugars, you check fibre, ingredients and allergens. Compare the information for the exact product, especially if any of these details will influence your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement. If it isn’t, you can compare regular currant buns by their nutrition information and how practical they’ll be for your festival day.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Genuinely sugar-free Check the claim and the total sugars per 100 g. According to EUR-Lex, ‘sugar-free’ means a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I want to choose a strictly sugar-free product, its total sugar content must meet that limit. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Added sugars Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g with the ingredients list and, if stated, the added sugars per 100 g. I want to know whether sugar or other sweetening ingredients have been added, even if the currant bun contains sugars naturally. Around 27% of consumers make this their top priority.
Taking them with you and storing them Check the number of buns, portion size, storage advice and availability of the product you’ve chosen. For an early festival day, I want to take a portion that fits my plans. This practical convenience matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Fibre and allergens Compare fibre on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and read the allergen information for the exact product. If fibre or certain ingredients determine my choice, I don’t want to rely on the sugar content alone. These label details are the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    Raisins and currants contain sugars naturally. So, the absence of added sugar doesn’t tell you how much total sugar a currant bun contains.

    If sugar-free is a requirement, check the total sugars per 100 g. According to EUR-Lex, a product can contain no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g to carry the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

  • Checking the sugars alone

    The Albert Heijn and PLUS currant buns reviewed also list allergens, including wheat and milk. The ingredients and possible traces listed depend on the product.

    Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the product you want to buy.

  • Assuming a catalogue listing means it’s in stock

    A product appearing in an online listing isn’t necessarily available when you shop for a festival. Jumbo listed a wholemeal mini version that was no longer available online; Lidl lists its currant buns as an in-store product.

    Check availability with the retailer shortly before buying, and read the label on the product you find.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through the use of baker’s salt. This doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in each individual currant bun.

    Check the ingredients for the exact product if iodine or baker’s salt is important to your choice.

Brands and retailers compared

Compare specific products using their own nutrition information; a brand name alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar a currant bun contains.

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH Extra long-lasting fresh raisin and currant buns gives you a starting point for comparing ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

  • For this product, Albert Heijn lists 24 g of sugars, 3.3 g of fibre and 2 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • This product isn’t sugar-free. Check the current label, as product information may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online range includes different sizes of currant loaf and raisin and currant buns.

  • A smaller or larger size may be useful when planning portions to take with you.
  • A wholemeal mini version that was listed is no longer available online. Check the current nutrition information and availability for each product you choose.

PLUS

PLUS provides ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage instructions for its regular currant buns.

  • For this product, PLUS lists 25.2 g of sugars, 3.3 g of fibre and 1.59 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • This product isn’t sugar-free; according to the product information, it contains wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients.

ALDI

ALDI describes raisin and currant buns in a pack of six as an in-store product.

  • The stated number of buns makes it easier to plan portions.
  • For a comparison of sugars, ingredients and allergens, check the packaging of the exact product.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns in bags of six, available in store only.

  • The pack size and where to buy the product are clearly stated.
  • Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a currant bun with no added sugars also sugar-free?

No, not necessarily: raisins and currants can contain sugars naturally. According to EUR-Lex, the ‘sugar-free’ claim allows a maximum of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, so check the total sugars in the nutrition table.

How much sugar does an ordinary currant bun contain?

According to the Voedingscentrum Caloriechecker, an average 50 g currant bun contains 15.9 g of sugars. Check the packaging of the product you’re buying for its sugar content.

Should I freeze currant buns for a festival?

Not necessarily; let the time of purchase and the storage advice for your chosen currant buns guide you. For the products reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS say they can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month of freezing.

Does every Dutch currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that every currant bun does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through the use of baker’s salt; check the ingredients for the exact product to see which type of salt is listed.