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Eco-Tester Foods by Dr. med. Oetker disappoint at evaluation
Dr. Oetker is one of the largest German food producers. The group is known among other things by its puddings, baking mixes or cereals. In a brand check, the magazine "Öko-Test" has now taken a closer look at products from the Bielefeld-based company. Many goods disappointed: Mineral oil residues were found and the sugar content was often very high.
Lots of sugar and mineral oil residues
Products of Dr. med. Oetker can be found in almost every German supermarket. Be it pudding, muesli, cake mix or frozen pizza: the Bielefeld-based company has more than 3,500 products in its assortment. For the January issue of their magazine, the consumer advocates of "eco-test" have now taken a closer look at various goods of the food producer. The experts had a lot to complain about. They found that much of the product contains too much sugar. In addition, residues of mineral oil could be detected in many cases.
Picture: Kitty - fotolia Only four products contained a recommendation
A total of 26 products, such as vanilla sugar, pizza burger or muesli, took the testers in the laboratory under the microscope and examined them for ingredients, contaminants and impurities. Only four products received a recommendation. As reported by "t-online.de", ten failed with "Poor" or even "Insufficient". According to the data, residues of mineral oil from saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) were detected in 14 of the tested products. In four cases, even high or very high values were found. Among other things, in the "Bourbon vanilla sugar", which received the grade "Poor".
Health risk due to mineral oils
As reported, Dr. Oetker on demand of "eco-test" on the fact that the affected products are so-called "semi-finished goods" that still need to be cooked or baked. This leads according to the company to "negligible levels". However, the assessment of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) looks a bit different. Mineral oil residues can therefore be stored in the body and lead to long-term damage to the liver. Also Foodwatch had warned in the past of certain dangers. The consumer protection organization reported a few weeks ago on mineral oil finds in Advent calendars and criticized competent authorities. According to experts, the risk of cancer from mineral oil increases in food. According to "t-online.de" Oetker compared to "eco-test" but at least one, in future to carry out stronger raw material and supplier controls in order to detect a possible contamination of the products and reduce.
High sugar content in children's foods
The high sugar content of many products was another criticism. This was especially high for a particular children's product: In a cup "Paula chocolate pudding with vanilla stains" put about 13 grams of sucrose, which corresponds to about four and a half pieces of sugar cubes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume no more than 25 grams of sugar per day. The high salary was acknowledged with the grade "Poor". The "Paula" pudding was nominated by Foodwatch two years ago for the so-called "golden puffs", a negative price, which is made every year on especially "brash Werbemaschen in children's food" attention. Such tricks and delusions in food are very common in children's products. Even with the baking mix "Choco Lava 4 Törtchen" the testers criticized a "greatly increased sugar content". This product also has other deficiencies: It contains increased amounts of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, mineral oil residues and artificial flavors. The result: "Insufficient".
Some products were convincing
However, some products convinced the testers. For example, a bag of "almonds planed" contained only what the testers really heard. In the baking ingredient neither mineral oils nor harmful germs could be detected. It was the only product that received the grade "Very Good". The baking mix "Pizza dough Italian style, spicy" could convince the testers. Apart from a slightly higher mineral oil content, the laboratory could not detect any unwanted impurities or pollutants. The overall verdict was: "Good." (Ad)