The new generation of ready-made soups impresses primarily with taste and low pollutant levels
Jan 21, 2020 - Foods
The new generation of ready-made soups impresses primarily with taste and low pollutant levels
For years, the sales of traditional ready-made soups such as canned, instant, and dry soups have been declining. The new generation is found in the refrigerated section and stands out with modern names and innovative designs from the classics. However, these soups also stand out with natural and fresh ingredients. Eight chilled tomato soups and seven lentil soups were tested. In total, two tomato and four lentil soups carried an organic label. The following parameters were examined in the test:
- Sensory
To be economically successful and to compete with traditional ready-made soups, the offered products must primarily convince with impeccable taste. The tested products outperformed canned soups, especially in taste, as more aromatic substances are retained through gentler preservation.
Almost all tested products were rated as very good or good.
- Contaminant Load
Contamination from pesticides, heavy metals, and plasticizers can occur both in production and preparation. All tested products were free from the aforementioned contaminants.
- Microbiological Quality
Although chilled products, unlike canned goods, are not sterilized but only pasteurized, no significant impairment of microbiological quality was observed.
- Nutritional Quality
It was assessed whether the tested soups are suitable as a main meal and the content of energy, salt, protein, and saturated fatty acids was evaluated. Here, the tested soups with coconut milk stood out negatively due to an increased calorie and fatty acid content.
- Furthermore, the user-friendliness of the packaging and labeling were checked. The examiners had no objections in these two points.
Only in terms of shelf life and price do the new soups not score points, as the refrigerated storage makes the soups cost about twice as much as comparable canned products.
Detailed information about the test series can be found in the test magazine No. 01/2020.
In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct sensory tests and pesticide analyses. We provide you with fast and reliable results.
Our customer advisors are happy to assist with any questions you may have.
Source: test No. 01/2020, www.test.de