Who is this choice for?

Students with a strict sugar-free requirement

Your lunch needs to meet the threshold for a sugar-free claim. Based on the sugar levels listed by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS for the variants reviewed, a regular currant bun is not suitable.

Students looking to limit added sugars

You want to compare ingredients and nutrition information, while bearing in mind that currants and raisins contain naturally occurring sugars. So, less added sugar does not automatically mean less total sugar.

Students taking lunch with them between lectures

A currant bun is ready to eat and easy to carry individually. If sugar-free is your top priority, that matters more than convenience.

What should you look for when buying?

For lunch between lectures, first decide whether total sugars, added sugars or convenience is your main priority. Then compare the nutrition information on the pack you are actually buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Truly sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product can only be described as sugar-free if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If I only want to take something sugar-free, the total sugar content is what matters. Around 50% of consumers considering currant buns for this lunch prioritise a genuinely sugar-free option.
Added sugars Read the ingredients list and compare it with the total sugars per 100 g. Look out for ingredients such as sugar, dextrose and glucose syrup. I want to limit added sugar, even if I’m happy to have natural sugars from dried fruit. Around 30% of these consumers prioritise that distinction.
Portion size and portability Check the portion size, sugars per portion and the storage instructions on the pack. Between lectures, I mainly want something I can take with me and eat straight away, without mistaking the bun for a sugar-free option. Convenience comes first for around 20% of these consumers.

Common mistakes

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

    These terms do not mean the same thing: currants and raisins can contain naturally occurring sugars. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the threshold for a sugar-free claim at no more than 0.5 g of total sugars per 100 g.

    If you have a strict sugar-free requirement, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g in the nutrition table, rather than relying only on wording on the front of the pack.

  • Thinking a regular currant bun is a low-sugar lunch

    According to their product information, the variants reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain 25 g, 24 g and 25.5 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Jumbo also lists 15.6 g of sugars per 65 g portion.

    Compare the label on the exact product. If keeping total sugars low is a strict requirement, look beyond the currant bun category too.

  • Assuming you know the allergens from the name ‘currant bun’

    According to the product information, the Albert Heijn currant buns reviewed contain milk, rye and wheat, among other ingredients, and may also contain other allergens. The product type alone does not tell you which ingredients are in the pack you have.

    Check the latest ingredients and allergen information again if you switch brand or variant.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Rozijnen krentenbollen reviewed come in packs of six; Albert Heijn lists 65 g as a portion.

  • The product information lists 25 g of total sugars and 2.2 g of added sugars per 100 g.
  • Based on the stated total sugars, this variant does not meet the threshold for a sugar-free claim.

Jumbo

The Jumbo Rozijnen Krentenbollen reviewed come in packs of six, with nutrition information given per 100 g and per 65 g portion.

  • Jumbo lists 24 g of sugars per 100 g and 15.6 g per 65 g portion.
  • These sugar levels are not suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement.

PLUS

The PLUS Krentenbollen lekker lang lekker reviewed come in packs of eight.

  • PLUS lists 25.5 g of total sugars and 1.61 g of added sugars per 100 g for this variant.
  • Based on the stated total sugars, this variant is not sugar-free either.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns as a store product in a pack of six.

  • The six-pack makes it easy to choose how many to take with you.
  • Check the nutrition information and allergens on the pack before choosing these currant buns based on their sugar content.

ALDI

ALDI lists Rozijnen-krentenbollen in a pack of six.

  • The number of buns in the pack is stated for this variant.
  • If you are choosing based on sugars, ingredients or allergens, check the label on the pack.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are regular currant buns sugar-free?

Not the variants reviewed here. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list 25 g, 24 g and 25.5 g of sugars per 100 g respectively for their currant buns in question; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the threshold for a sugar-free claim at no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If you choose a different variant, always check its own nutrition table.

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

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars that occur naturally, for example in currants and raisins. To check the total amount, look at ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g.

Which allergens should I check in currant buns?

Check the allergens on the exact pack, as they are not the same for all currant buns. For the variant reviewed, Albert Heijn lists milk, rye and wheat, among other ingredients, and warns that other allergens may also be present.

How should I store packaged currant buns for lunch on campus?

Follow the storage instructions for the product you buy. For the variant reviewed, Albert Heijn says to store it in a dry place. The product pages for the variants reviewed from Albert Heijn and PLUS also include information about freezing them at home on the day of purchase.

Do all currant buns in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?

You cannot assume that from the product type. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt; that does not mean every currant bun contains it. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients on the pack in question.