Who is this choice for?

People looking for a strictly sugar-free option

You only want to choose a late-night snack that meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. A label such as ‘no added sugars’ isn’t enough.

Late-night snackers who want to compare sugar content

You’re looking for a currant bun to enjoy late in the evening, but it doesn’t have to be sugar-free. You want to compare the sugars per 100 g with the amount you’ll eat.

People checking convenience and ingredients

You want to keep a currant bun for later, but you also check the allergens and possible traces listed on the latest packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

If sugar-free is your goal, start with ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. Then compare portions, other nutritional information and practical factors such as storage and allergens.

What to look for What to check before buying Who it matters to
Genuinely sugar-free Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g: under the EU claim rules on EUR-Lex, ‘sugar-free’ is only permitted for products containing no more than 0.5 g per 100 g. If I want a strictly sugar-free option, the total amount of sugars must meet that threshold. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a sugar-free option.
Sugars and portion size Compare ‘of which sugars’ and any added sugars on the same per-100 g basis. Then check the portion size and, if you wish, the fibre content. For a standard currant bun, I want to know how much sugar is in my evening portion, even if the figure for added sugars is lower. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Storage and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and follow the specific product’s instructions for freezing. I want to keep a snack for later without overlooking its ingredients or possible traces. For around 20% of consumers, this practical check comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a ‘sugar free’ search result means the product is sugar-free

    A search term isn’t a product claim. The standard currant buns reviewed from Albert Heijn and PLUS list 25 g and 25.2 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.

    Read the product’s own nutrition table and compare ‘of which sugars’ with the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

  • Checking only the added sugars

    Sugars from ingredients such as raisins and currants count towards ‘of which sugars’. So a lower figure for added sugars doesn’t make a product sugar-free.

    If you want a strictly sugar-free option, use the total sugar content per 100 g as your starting point.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    The AH and PLUS currant buns reviewed list cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients. Warnings about possible traces may also affect your choice.

    Check the latest packaging, including any information about possible traces, before choosing a product.

  • Freezing without checking which product variant you have

    PLUS says its Currant Buns – Stay Fresh for Longer can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. This advice doesn’t automatically apply to every currant bun.

    Follow the storage and defrosting instructions for the variant you buy.

Brands compared

AH (Albert Heijn-huismerk)

Albert Heijn offers several currant bun and muesli bun varieties. The nutritional values below are for AH Raisin Currant Buns.

  • Albert Heijn lists 25 g of sugars and 2.9 g of fibre per 100 g for this variety, making it easy to compare the nutritional values on a consistent basis.
  • At 25 g of sugars per 100 g, this variety isn’t sugar-free. Also check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy.

PLUS-huismerk

PLUS offers both standard currant buns and a separate Currant Buns – Stay Fresh for Longer variety. Check the storage advice and nutritional values for each variety individually.

  • For its standard PLUS Currant Buns, PLUS lists 25.2 g of sugars, 1.59 g of added sugars and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The standard variety isn’t sugar-free. Don’t apply the freezing instructions for Currant Buns – Stay Fresh for Longer to another variety without checking first.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, the claims don’t mean the same thing. Under the EU claim rules on EUR-Lex, ‘sugar-free’ can only be used for a solid food containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, naturally occurring sugars can still count towards ‘of which sugars’ when a product is labelled ‘with no added sugars’.

Which allergens should I check in a currant bun?

Check the allergens and possible traces on the latest packaging for the variety you choose. The AH and PLUS products reviewed list, among other things, cereals containing gluten and milk ingredients. This isn’t a complete allergen list for all currant buns.

Can I freeze currant buns for late-night snacks later on?

It depends on the storage instructions for the variety you choose. PLUS says its Currant Buns – Stay Fresh for Longer can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Check the instructions on other packaging.

Does every currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific currant bun to see which salt has been used.