For many people it has been indispensable on the breakfast table from an early age as coffee, sandwiches and a soft-boiled egg: Nutella. But what is probably the best-known hazelnut cream on the market fared poorly in the new eco-test. Together with its Milka counterpart, it took last place out of 21 products tested. The reason: mineral oil, far too much sugar and a lack of effort to improve working conditions in the cocoa and palm oil producing countries.
First of all: none of the tested nougat creams can be unreservedly recommended for consumption, because they all have one thing in common: they are way too sweet. And that is not meant positively. They usually consist of more than 50 percent sugar, often more than 35 percent fat – and that with only five (Milka) or thirteen percent hazelnut mass (Nutella)!
Test conclusion: insufficient!
However, with Nutella (Ferrero) and Milka (Mondelez), it can be a little more — or less: At over 56 percent, the two products are the sweetest spreads. By way of comparison: there are also nougat creams that get by with 34 grams of sugar per 100 grams. They also – like only two other products in the test – contain artificial flavoring and the flavoring agent vanillin. Test conclusion: insufficient!
These alternatives perform better in the test
In addition, like many other nut nougat creams, both contain mineral oil components. To be precise: the hydrocarbons MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons), according to Öko-Test. MOSH accumulates in the body and it is still completely unclear what they do there. One thing is clear: they are probably the biggest contamination in the human body.
None of the 21 creams examined by Öko-Test was completely free of it. At least traces were found in four products, in 17 creams MOSH was measured at a level that Öko-Test describes as “slightly elevated” or “elevated”.
Test winner contains (certified) palm oil
According to Öko-Test, seven-nut nougat creams do not contain palm oil. The two test winners – dm organic chocolate cream and Yes! Nut nougat cream – but yes. However, these creams are among the products certified with the minimum standard RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), which is intended to prohibit the felling of further forests and to advocate fair payment. The palm oil in Nutella also has this seal.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
