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Food test Mineral oil traces in Ferrero Kinderriegel of the series Kinderschokolade
The consumer advocates of "foodwatch" have tested various sweets. They were able to detect traces of mineral oil in some products. Some of the substances found are suspected of causing cancer. According to the consumer protection organization, the popular product "child bars" of the food company "Ferrero" should be affected. For parents, this result will cause a stir. Food experts criticize the low-threshold legal regulations. These should be tightened.
Mineral oil finds in food
Time and again there are reports about finds of mineral oil in food. In many cases, they come from the printing inks in the waste paper packaging. The consumer organization Foodwatch has now also detected traces of mineral oil in sweets from various manufacturers. According to a report in the news magazine "Spiegel", the organization speaks of a significant contamination with aromatic and saturated petroleum hydrocarbons. According to "Spiegel" information, "Ferrero's children's bars" and "Sun Rice" chocolate beans produced for Aldi were found to contain significant residues of these chemical compounds.
Mineral oil traces in "Kinderschokolade". Image: nothingbutpixel - fotolia Substances are classified as carcinogenic
Mineral oils are used in the food industry for example as lubricants for machines or in packaging. "The mineral oils detectable in food are divided into two groups: the aromatic mineral oils (MOAH) and the saturated mineral oils (MOSH). Particularly dangerous are the former. They are suspected of being carcinogenic, mutagenic and affecting the endocrine system, "foodwatch said on its website. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) generally considers the intake of MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) by food as a concern. And according to the assessment of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) "no demonstrable transition from MOAH to food should take place".
Politics is needed
"The problem has been known for years, but politics has not responded to it yet. The solution would be so simple: the European Union must prescribe the use of suitable barrier layers for waste paper packaging and set strict limits for mineral oil in food, "write the foodwatch experts elsewhere. According to the "mirror" manufacturers and dealers have been working for years to ban substances from the entire value chain.
For example, Aldi Süd has urged its suppliers to identify all sources of contamination and only use mineral oil-free means of production. From Lidl there should be similar requirements for the suppliers. The manufacturers concerned have not commented yet. The industry association told the news magazine that they are working hard to minimize.
Mineral oil residues also in cosmetic products
Consumer advocates, health authorities and Stiftung Warentest have repeatedly found mineral oil residues in chocolate in recent years, for example in Advent calendars or in chocolate Easter bunnies. A few months ago, findings on mineral oil in lip care had also been reported. (Ad)