Margarine is a popular alternative to butter. But how good is the vegetable spread actually? To find out, the ÖKO-TEST experts sent several margarine products to the laboratory. The result is disappointing.
Margarine is often used as a spread, for baking, roasting or cooking. Especially for vegans, the spreadable fats in the completely vegetable version are a good alternative to butter. On top of that, margarine is also said to have a positive effect on health and is said to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels in particular. In the ÖKO- test, however, things are less rosy: the margarine gets rid of its fat here.
ÖKO-TEST has 20 vegetable margarines checked in issue 11/2021. Criticism rains down because: all tested margarines are contaminated. All of them contain mineral oil – at least one showed only traces, many also contained fatty pollutants such as palm oil. Also disappointing: The mineral oil content was even rated as “increased” or “greatly increased” in most products. At least two spreads were able to convince the testers and still get the grade “good”.
Margarine: only two products are “good”
Only two products can be recommended with no “very good”, but with a “good”. The Bellasan plant margarine from Aldi north and Kauflands Despite slight criticism, K-Classic vegetable margarine was able to convince the testers with its ingredients.
According to ÖKO-TEST, they deliver a “satisfactory” result the following products:
- Deli Reform The original margarine from Walter Rau
- Good & cheap vegetable margarine from Edeka
- Rela plant margarine from Netto Markendiscount
- Vita D’or margarine from Lidl
The Becel Gold Pro Activ (Upfield), Bellasan Pflanzen Margarine (Aldi Süd) and Rama and Sanella from the manufacturer Upfield only achieved a “sufficient”. The mineral oil components are slightly increased to increased here.
ÖKO-TEST gives a devastating verdict: Five margarines fail
Five spreads can ÖKO-TEST not at all convincing. In particular, the branded product Sojola from Vandemoortele disappointed the testers and was penalized with an “unsatisfactory”. There is also a setback for four more of the 20 margarines tested: there are also greatly increased mineral oil hydrocarbons here.
ÖKO-TEST also has organic products under the magnifying glass, but was only able to award a top grade of “satisfactory”. Whether the organic margarine from Alnatura, Landkrone or Naturli Foods, nobody was really convincing in the test. All products are heavily contaminated with mineral oil.