Tester Too much acrylamide in most of the frozen fries

Many frozen chips loaded with acrylamide
In the past, potato products such as chips or fries have been criticized in the past for their high acrylamide content. A recent study by the magazine "Öko-Test" shows that the subject matter of pollutants acrylamide is still a topic for frozen fries. In addition, there is a possible burden of questionable germ inhibitors. However, eight out of 19 products tested were able to score "very good" or "good".

For the current study, the ÖKO-TEST magazine has analyzed the ingredients of frozen chips in the laboratory. The result is still worrying. Many products still achieve an acrylamide value that, according to Öko-Test, is too high. In addition, a number of products were burdened with germ inhibitors. On the positive side, eight frozen chips brands received a "very good" or "good".

In a study of frozen chips by the magazine "eco-test" again a high acrylamide content was detected in many products. (Image: pamela_d_mcadams / fotolia.com)

Acrylamide is carcinogenic
"Unfortunately, the pollutant acrylamide is still an issue," summed up "Öko-Test" the investigation results. The pollutant is created "when carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes are baked, fried, fried or roasted" and has been proven in animal experiments as a cancer and genetic damage harmful, reports the magazine. Last year, therefore, there was already an explicit warning from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) about the increased risk of cancer from acrylamide in food.

More than half of the products with too high an acrylamide value?
Acrylamide was detected in all tested frozen fries except for three brands, although only eight traces of the pollutant were found in eight products in the laboratory analysis. Also, the acrylamide value for all tested items was still below the so-called signal value, the testers report. In the opinion of "Öko-Test", however, this is not considered to be harmless. Consumers should therefore still be careful, advises the magazine. Because the pollutant is in numerous foods that are consumed daily, which is why "in the opinion of" eco-test "a single food should contain no more than ten micrograms of acrylamide. This value was exceeded at nine frozen chips brands.

Chlorpropham in most of the frozen fries
To criticize according to "eco-test" beyond that in some products Chlorpropham was detected. This is often used by conventional farmers as a germ suppressant. The substance was probably carcinogenic and only the four organic products in the test came out without Chlorpropham. Here organic farmers are trying to prevent the formation of nuclei by temperature-controlled storage.

Fries not suitable for regular consumption
"Eco-test" further reports that "two manufacturers add glucose or dextrose to the frits", which remains incomprehensible to the testers, since the additional sugar is completely unnecessary here. After all, just under half of the brands examined is thoroughly recommended according to the criteria of "eco-test". However, the frozen fries count in principle "not exactly the healthiest meals and should therefore not every week on the menu," the conclusion of the testers. (Fp)