Potato chips are harmless than often suspected

The Stiftung Warentest examined potato chips from different manufacturers and came to amazing results

27.12.2012

Chips - until now, the mostly deep-fried potato slices were considered rather unhealthy among nutrition experts, especially because of the comparatively high salt and fat content. However, a study by Stiftung Warentest has produced quite different results: Accordingly, the popular snack from the bag is not so unhealthy as previously thought.

30 products under the magnifying glass of Stiftung Warentest
We examined 30 different potato chips with a sweet pepper taste, next to it „standard chips“ also fat-reduced products and stacked chips. In addition, examples of selected chips with salt were investigated.

The result: 17 out of 30 products were used „Well“ including some cheap discount store own brands - so a bottom line rather positive result. For example, 'Rewe / ja!' Chili chips or 'Kaufland K-Classic' chili chips could be placed in the top ranks - and score points for the consumer in addition to the relatively low price, especially in comparison to the test winner 'Funny-Frisch Chips fresh Hungarian '.

Big price differences in potato chips
Because the price differences can be enormous, especially with potato chips: For example, the test winner costs 96 cents per hundred grams, while those with „Well“ excellent discounter products are already offered for 38 cents per 100gr. The price could therefore serve as a selection criterion, according to Stiftung Warentest expert Janine Schlenker, the taste is of course just as important: „Because pepper chili is not the same as pepper chili. "

Organic chips do not convince in taste
For a „Well“ However, the chips did not only have to taste like potatoes, be spicy and crispy, but also fulfill sensory criteria - that is to convince both visually and through smell and taste. However, not all products managed this point, and the three tested organic chips also failed in the sensor technology and therefore could not „Well“ reach, even if they otherwise had not done poorly.

For example, the Stiftung Warentest researchers found palm oil in two organic products - which, according to the foundation, was basically not a problem, but had to be declared, which was not the case with the two foods. Second criticism of the organic potato slices: the taste that could not convince the experts: „The bios also tasted little appetizing: The 'Light Paprika Chips' of 'Trafo', for example, tasted dull, old and bitter. 'Alnatura Paprika Chips' were not very crispy and the 'Original Lantchips' were even slightly rancid. "

Reassuring: No risks from harmful ingredients
Even though not all of the tested chips could convince in terms of taste, all but one product scored with regard to the ingredients. Because even 10 years ago, there was reason for concern here, because researchers in chips had found the pollutant acrylamide, which is caused by particularly intense heating and is considered to cause cancer. But this danger seems to be banned according to the current results - according to Janine Schlenker, the topic no longer plays a role today, because "only one product is still above the European benchmark, all others are far below.“

Conspicuous in terms of possible pollutants, however, were still 'Pringles paprika' - because in these was the only product in the test 3-mono-chloropropanediol, short: 3-MCPD, has been detected, which, according to Janine Schlenker but only in large quantities as could be classified as hazardous to health: „Here you can absorb a certain amount, but when you consume a whole pack of 'pringles' you can easily get over this value. 3-MCPD is one of the pollutants that may be carcinogenic. "

Germany in chip food in the European midfield
Keyword quantity: In per capita consumption Germany is in the European comparison in the midfield - about one kilo of chips every German ate on average a year. And even if the current results of the Stiftung Warentest were able to polish up the image of the potato slices, they unfortunately do not become calorie-reduced, according to Janine Schlenker „harmless“ do not deceive the nutritional information on the packaging.

Despite positive test results: chips remain calorie bombs
Because with most products a standard portion of 30g is specified - which however according to the expert would correspond only to a filled hand and therefore for a realistic estimate may be sufficient, because "potato chips contain on the average around the 30 per cent fat Accordingly: No matter, to which variety They attack, they are simply high in calories.“

This would be synonymous with so-called „Light products“ do not fundamentally change, during which part of the frying fat is extracted by means of steam in the production process: „Fat-reduced chips contain one-third less fat. But you should not be fooled - you just do not save a third calories, but only by ten percent. "

The comparison is worthwhile
But nevertheless: Especially with the fat a comparison of the nutritional information on the packaging can be worthwhile, because the fat content of the products varies in part strongly: Thus the test showed that the test winner 'Funny-Frisch Chipsfrisch Ungarisch' with 37 % had the highest fat content of all chips tested in the also with „Well“ excellent „Lays Sensation Red Sweet Paprika“ however, only 26% fat was included.

In the end, not in the „Grease trap chips“ Therefore, Stiftung Warentest recommends the conscious and measured enjoyment of snacking - then this would not make itself noticeable on the scales. And the experts also have a pleasure tip: „Incidentally, potato chips will taste just how fresh off the line when they are briefly heated in the microwave.“ (Sb)

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Picture credits: Sebastian Vogel