Nestlé Nesquik Cocoa received last place at Öko-Test - Even against organ damage is warned!

Eco-test: mineral oil in cocoa powder from Nestlé

Cocoa-containing beverage powders are especially popular with children. However, they usually contain a lot of sugar. But that's not all: some products also contain problematic mineral oil residues. In particular, experts commissioned by "Eco-Test" have now found Nestlé Nesquik cocoa.

Mineral oil in food

In recent years, reports of mineral oil in food have been reported repeatedly. Thus, mineral oil residues have been detected, inter alia, in many cereals, in various types of tuna and in meat substitutes. Often sweets are also affected, such as Ferrero's children's bars, chocolate Easter bunnies and numerous advent calendars. And even in cocoa powder is often much of the dangerous substance, as a recent study by the consumer magazine "eco-test" shows.

The consumer magazine "Öko-Test" has had several cocoa powder examined and found that they usually contain not only too much sugar, but also some mineral oil residues. (Photo: Ökotest)

Infants should rarely drink cocoa

For many children, a glass of cocoa is included for breakfast.

However, experts advise moderate consumption, since cocoa powder consists almost entirely of sugar - usually 80 percent. Especially toddlers should therefore rarely drink cocoa.

The consumer magazine "Öko-Test" has now taken a closer look at 13 cocoa-containing beverage powders for children.

As the experts write on their website, the cocoa Nestlé Nesquik, which is popular among children, is completely out of the test.

Especially because it is heavily contaminated with mineral oil residues.

Nestlé Nesquik ends up with "insufficient" in last place

According to the information, it is clear from all the tested products with funny pictures and colorful colors that the target group are children.

"Eco-test" wanted to know how much cocoa really is in the powders - and how much sugar? In addition, the powders were investigated for, inter alia, mineral oil, cadmium, undesirable microbial loads and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

The test results, which can be called up here for a fee, show that only one cocoa in the "very good" test is recommended.

After all, seven products score with "good", the other cocoa powder are somewhere in the middle. Nestlé Nesquik, however, ends up with "insufficient" in last place.

The well-known brand product received the most devaluations overall. The reasons: a greatly increased mineral oil content, high sugar, added vitamins and a lot of declaration deficiencies.

Heavily contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons

According to information, four cocoa powders for children contain "elevated" or "greatly increased" contents of the saturated hydrocarbons MOSH / POSH. In ten out of 13 powders, the sugar content is "increased" or "greatly increased" according to the dosage recommendation.

Especially the Nestlé cocoa in the test is heavily contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH / POSH).

MOSH have damaged organs such as the liver and lymph nodes in animal experiments.

Residues can, for example, pass through the packaging to the food. However, cocoa beans and sugar may also come into contact with lubricating oils during production.

Far too much sugar

In addition, Nestlé recommends mixing two to three heaped teaspoons of Nesquik into a frosted glass.

The laboratory commissioned by "Öko-Test" determined more than 7.5 grams of sugar in such a powder portion.

That is already more than half of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended amount for three-year-old children. It is no more than 15 grams daily. In addition, the testers criticize the contained artificial vitamins. According to the experts, their addition is completely superfluous and should give the impression that the cocoa powder is a healthy food.

And some information on the packaging are irritating. So, the nutrient table on the back page refers to values ​​for an average adult.

But Nesquik is obviously aimed at children. Nestlé also advertises the powder, which is about 80 percent sugar, boldly with the healthy ingredients of milk, the testers criticize.

Also doubtful is the advertised self-evident "without preservatives by law".

Treat cocoa drinks like a candy

According to "eco-test" Nestlé wanted the result for MOSH / POSH ("greatly increased") "not accept", as the company announced in writing.

One has doubts about the method for mineral oil, which uses the commissioned laboratory. According to the information provided, the method used by the laboratory is not one but one according to DIN standards. And an independent study that supports Nestlé's doubts was not presented by the group.

The testers conclude with a tip: Treat cocoa drinks like a candy because of the high sugar content. Infants therefore rarely drink it at all. Some manufacturers recommend five spoonfuls of cocoa powder for a frosted glass. That's too much. One to two teaspoons are enough. (Ad)