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02.05.2025 - Foods

Baked but not harmless: ÖKO-TEST examines seeded rolls

ÖKO-TEST examined 36 bake-at-home multigrain rolls and identified both good and problematic products. Eleven of the tested rolls received the top rating of "very good," while six products were rated "poor" or "inadequate." The most common issues found in the tested rolls were pesticide residues, mineral oil components, excessive salt content, and unnecessary additives.

A particularly critical point is the pesticides: Some rolls showed multiple residues, including concerning substances such as glyphosate and captan metabolites. These are increasingly associated with health risks in research, as their effects on the human body are not yet sufficiently studied. Additionally, elevated amounts of saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) were found, which can accumulate in the human body. The long-term health effects of these mineral oil components are also not sufficiently clarified.

Another problem is the high salt content in some of the tested rolls. Products containing more than 1.2 grams of salt per 100 grams were rated negatively, as high salt consumption is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. As early as 2008, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommended measures to reduce salt in foods. Many rolls also attracted attention due to the use of unnecessary additives. Flavors, coloring ingredients, and phosphates were found in several products, although these often only serve to enhance the taste or manipulate the color.

Source: www.oekotest.de