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Apr 20, 2026 - Foods

Tomato ketchup in the test – High levels of Alternaria toxins

In the current issue of Stiftung Warentest (04/2026), a total of 23 tomato ketchups were tested. Twelve products received the rating “good.”

An increased content of Alternaria toxins was found in four products. These toxins are produced by molds of the Alternaria genus. They primarily infest plant-based foods such as grains, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, and fruits. Infestation often manifests as black discolorations on the affected foods.

So far, no legal maximum levels for Alternaria toxins have been established. However, guidelines for certain foods for the toxins alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altertoxins, tenuazonic acid have been set in Recommendation (EU) 2022/553.

In addition to Alternaria toxins, Stiftung Warentest also criticized the sometimes high sugar content of some products as well as the use of sweeteners. Furthermore, the tested ketchups showed significant differences in tomato content.

The BAV Institute and the Tentamus laboratories support companies with specialized analyses of mycotoxins in foods.

If you have any questions, our customer advisors are very happy to assist you.

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