Stiftung Warentest: Milk Chocolate

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Jan 9, 2019 - Foods

Stiftung Warentest: Milk Chocolate

In the December 2018 issue of Stiftung Warentest, a total of 25 chocolates, including 4 organic products, were tested. Below is a summary of the test parameters:

• Sensory (Appearance, consistency in hand, smell, taste, and mouthfeel)
  One chocolate was negatively noted for its herbal off-flavor. Positively rated were the less sweet chocolates that tasted more intensely of cocoa, malty, or even slightly bitter.
• Contaminants
  The following contaminants were checked: cadmium, aluminum, copper, nickel, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), the mycotoxin ochratoxin A, acrylamide, pesticides, MOSH/MOAH (mineral oil) and solvent residues. One chocolate was heavily contaminated with nickel. No chocolate was contaminated with cadmium or pesticides, and the results for mineral oils were unobtrusive.
• Microbiology
  The products were tested for total microbial count, enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, yeasts and molds, as well as salmonella. No product was microbiologically remarkable.
• Packaging
  Evaluated were how the packages can be opened and the content removed, as well as whether information on packaging material and tamper evidence was available.
• Declaration
  The completeness and correctness of the legally required labeling elements were checked, as well as storage recommendations, nutritional values, origin and flavor information, and the readability and clarity of the information.
• Other

The requirements of the cocoa regulation for milk chocolate were checked. Furthermore, allergens hazelnut, almond, and peanut were tested in products without allergen warnings; GMOs in products with the ingredient soy lecithin; and the main aroma substances and accompanying components of vanilla in chocolates containing vanilla according to the ingredient list were tested.

Frequent downgrades and unsatisfactory ratings occurred particularly due to:

• One chocolate's ingredient list states "natural vanilla flavor"; however, only ethylvanillin was detected. Another chocolate claims to be "refined with real Bourbon vanilla," but only traces of vanilla were detected.
• A chocolate features images of vanilla flowers and pods, but according to the ingredient list, only the flavoring vanillin is present.
• One product does not meet the cocoa regulation's requirements for whole milk chocolate in terms of its milk components.
• In one chocolate, the labeling on the packaging was criticized for readability and clarity of the information.

More detailed information on the test series can be found in Stiftung Warentest magazine No. 12/2018.

At our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct the tests. We provide you with fast and reliable results.
If you have any questions, our customer advisors are very happy to assist you.
 

Source: Stiftung Warentest magazine No. 12/2018: www.test.de