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Eco-test study These margarines are insufficient or even deficient
Many people who smear margarine instead of butter in the morning justify this by saying that the vegetable spread is more environmentally friendly and healthier. However, a recent study by the consumer magazine "Öko-Test" shows that even in organic margarines harmful pollutants are included. In addition, often used for environmental reasons controversial palm oil for the production.
Healthier and more environmentally friendly?
The German citizens are divided on the question of whether butter or margarine should be eaten in the morning. While the per capita consumption of margarine in Germany is about five kilos per year, that of butter is about six kilograms. Many who choose the plant variant do so because they want to avoid animal products, others because margarine is often considered healthier. However, as was shown in a recent study by the consumer magazine "Öko-Test, numerous margarines - including organic products - are burdened with harmful pollutants.
The consumer magazine "Öko-Test" rated numerous margarines as "insufficient" or "poor" in a recent study. The products contain partially harmful fats. (Image: Marietjie Opperman / fotolia.com) Many margarines fail in the test
When Stiftung Warentest experts recently examined 19 margarines more closely, it turned out that many cheap margarines are also good. Only one product failed with "poor".
However, in a recent study by Öko-Test, the results were significantly worse. The experts tested a total of 20 products and rated six of them as "poor" and five as "insufficient".
Among the failed brands was, among other things, a well-known. The results of the study can be viewed on the website of "Öko-Test" for a fee.
Rainforest clearing for palm oil plantations
Margarine consists of 30 percent palm oil. The world's most widely used vegetable oil is derived from the fruits of the oil palm and is currently contained in every second supermarket product, according to the environmental and environmental organization "WWF".
The problem with this: For the production hectares of rainforest are cut down. This has serious consequences such as the emission of immense amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the loss of biodiversity.
Many manufacturers are now using palm oil with RSPO certification, which confirms that the oil comes from sustainable production.
However, a recent study by the magazine "Öko-Test" shows that even this certificate does not seem to warrant that the criteria for environmentally sound production are actually fully respected.
20 margarines and spreads in the test
"Öko-Test" examined 20 different margarines and spreadable fats in the lab, including the four organic products "Alnatura margarine tri-quarterfat", "Rapunzel Prima pure vegetable margarine", "Alsan organic margarine" and "Landkrone organic margarine".
Since all tested products contained palm oil, the testers required manufacturers to provide evidence of the origin of the oil or evidence of RSPO certification.
According to the report, the testers received answers to 19 of the tested products, according to which 18 should contain exclusively RSPO-certified palm oil.
Not all manufacturers submit supporting documents
However, meaningful evidence about the entire manufacturing process was only supplied by the organic suppliers and the conventional manufacturers Walter Rau and Vandemoortele - in each case also for the respective discounter products.
Sustainably produced palm oil can be found in "Deli Reform The Original", "Landkost Pflanzen Margarine" and the margarines of Aldi Süd, Norma and Globus (produced by Walter Rau) as well as those of Aldi Nord, Kaufland and Lidl (produced by Vandemoortele).
The global corporation Unilever, however, remained guilty of its four tested products ("Homa Gold", "Becel Gold", "Rama Dreiviertelfett" and "Flora Pflanzenmargarine") among other things, so that "eco-test" the criteria of the sent RSPO certificate only rated as "partially fulfilled".
REWE, too, could only "partially prove" the required criteria from the experts' point of view. The provider Heirler did not provide any information for the "Eden Die Gute Pflanzenmargarine mit Sonnenblumenöl" from the health food store.
Fat pollutants in organic products
Even in the lab, the experts made some unpleasant discoveries. All four tested organic margarines therefore contained fat pollutants, with the highest load in the Alsan organic margarine was found.
In addition, three of the four organic margarines only got a "satisfactory" (Rapunzel, Alsan) or "sufficient" (Landkrone) fat composition, as they provide abundant saturated but low-unsaturated fatty acids.
This can be detrimental to your health, as a diet high in saturated fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, among other things.
In the overall judgment, only the Alnatura margarine achieved a "satisfactory" in organic spread fats, all others got a "sufficient" or even "insufficient".
Also unpleasant is that in all four organic products elevated to high levels of saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH / POSH) were measured.
These are sometimes suspected of being potentially carcinogenic and therefore should be used in food as little as possible. The highest value reached here "Eden Die Gute" by Heirler.
"That's annoying. All four organic brands are heavily contaminated. Why do not the manufacturers manage to get a better grip on this? ", According to the magazine Eco-Test Editor and Nutritionist Birgit Hinsch.
Discounter margarine performs best
In total, six of the spreadable fats tested achieved a "poor", including e.g. "Becel Gold", the "Yes! Pflanzenmargarine "by Rewe," Bellasan "by Aldi Süd and the" Landkost Pflanzen Margarine "by Walter Rau.
The well-known "Rama" by Unilver as well as "Frisan" by Norma and "Eden the Good" as well as two other products rated the experts altogether even with "insufficient".
The best overall rating was awarded to "Deli Reform The Original" by Walter Rau and "K-Classic Pflanzenmargarine" by Kaufland and "Vita D'Or Classic by Lidl" (both by producer Vandemoortele).
These three came up with a "satisfactory" level of ingredients and a "very good" fat composition, all of which provided the necessary evidence of RSPO certification.
Controversial palm oil
Many experts criticize the fact that palm oil is used for the production of margarine. Among other things, this oil is suspected of being involved in the development of cancer and cardiovascular diseases when heated.
However, producers point out that this fat is excellent for the production of margarine and there is no final assessment for the health risk.
In addition, "allegations that palm oil is only used because it is cheaper" are not true, writes the company Alsan, whose margarine was bad in the test.
In addition, the company emphasized in the opinion that the level of fat pollution was lower than that proposed by the EU Commission.
And Landkrone said on his website that there are no legal regulations for the fat pollutants. (Ad)