For many, tofu is synonymous with a vegan or vegetarian diet. But now the ingredient is also popular with meat eaters. Stiftung Warentest tested a total of 15 types of tofu for critical substances, taste and the like. Here you can read more about it.
A vegan burger? Or vegan grilled sausages? If the first thing that comes to mind is tofu, you’re basically not wrong. But vegan cuisine today has much more to offer than squared soybean curd. Whether pure or smoked: tofu is often used as an ingredient in soups or as an accompaniment to salads.
Properly prepared, tofu is a popular meat alternative and is no longer just popular with vegetarians and vegans, but also with meat eaters. But how good is the tofu in the store?
Stiftung Warentest: Germs in Lidl tofu
In a test (10/2021), Stiftung Warentest examined a total of 15 types of tofu, including eight natural tofu, five smoked tofu and two silken tofu. Ten of the products score “good”, but no tofu can get the top rating. Four others are still “satisfactory”. None of the tested products failed. However, the laboratory found the mold toxin ochratoxin A in Kato organic natural tofu, which is considered potentially carcinogenic.
In the Bio Organic Vemondo Vegan Natural Tofu from Lidl, an increased total bacterial count has also been demonstrated. Lidl tofu is the only product that also bears a note that it should be heated before consumption and a use-by date instead of a best-before date.
Difference use-by date and best-before date:
The best-before date guarantees that the product will retain its typical properties if stored correctly. Even after this date, many foods are still perfectly consumable. The use-by date, on the other hand, is used for easily perishable foods and indicates by when the product should be consumed. When the use-by date has passed, consumption can pose a health risk – Lidl tofu, for example, should then no longer be eaten.
Good tofu: Aldi and Kaufland at the forefront
Overall, the tofu test draws a good balance. The “Taifun Tofu natur” (tofu varieties view at Amazon) with an overall grade of 1.6. At around 0.85 euros per 100 grams, the winner is also the most expensive tofu in the test. There are much cheaper private labels from Rewe, Aldi and Co., which also perform “well”:
- rewe Organic Tofu Natural, Mild
- Aldi My veggie day natural vegan organic tofu, firm
- Kaufland Take it veggie organic tofu natural
- Kaufland Take it veggie organic smoked tofu