ÖKO-TEST tested tomato paste and came to a frightening conclusion: Every second product is contaminated with mold toxins and in some cases also pesticides. The test also shows that cheap does not have to mean bad. The results in detail.
Tomato paste is an important ingredient in many sauces and dishes. The concentrated paste made from tomatoes can be used in many ways and is primarily used as an aroma enhancer or as a natural flavor enhancer.
In its current test, the consumer portal ECO TEST 20 tomato paste products examined. These include products from well-known discounters such as Aldi or Netto and organic products from dm and Alnatura. However, the result shows that almost every second tomato paste is contaminated with mold toxins (alternaria toxins). Including organic products. In addition to toxins, pesticides were also discovered. Making tomato paste yourself is very simple. In addition to ripe tomatoes, all you need is salt. So why are there so many questionable substances in purchased products? Good news: discounter products can keep up with organic products and even get the grade “very good”.
Read the full test in the current issue of ÖKO-TEST
Organic tomato paste: Four products with good marks
After all: Four out of eight organic brands receive the grade “Very Good”. These include the Basic tomato paste, the Campo Verde tomato paste, the organic tomato paste from Edeka and the Eden tomato paste from Heirler from the health food store. In addition to harmless ingredients, the products score points when it comes to the transparency of the working conditions. In addition, there are no traces of pesticides.
On the other hand, the tomato paste from Alnatura, the dm organic tomato paste and the Ener organic tomato paste from Rossmann only get the grade “poor”. The proportion of mold toxins is so high that the planned guideline values for processed tomato products are exceeded here. Here consumers should rather keep their hands off. After all, these products are also not contaminated with pesticides.
Test winner for tomato paste: discounter products with the grade “very good”
In addition to tomato paste from controlled organic farming, there are 12 other products. This shows that cheap does not have to be bad. as Test winner with the grade “very good” the Cucina tomato paste from Aldi, the Ja! tomato paste from Rewe and the Mondo Italiano tomato paste from Netto. All three products are priced at EUR 0.59 per 200g. For comparison: the test winner Campo Verde tomato paste in the organic products is priced at 1.99 euros. All three products can be bought without hesitation, because there are no traces of pesticides here either.
The situation is completely different with the loser: the branded product from Cirio not only shows traces of the questionable pesticide dimethomorph, but also greatly increased levels of mold toxins and ergosterol. The latter is an indicator that indicates that partly fresh tomatoes were processed. Cirio’s tomato paste rightly received the grade “insufficient”.
Read the full test in the current issue of ÖKO-TEST
Alternaria toxins: What are they and are there limit values for them?
Alternariatoxine is the toxin produced by the sooty mold, a mold belonging to the genus Alternaria. Alternaria toxins are found in nuts, grains and vegetables, among other things, and are therefore quite common. Alternariol and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were specifically found in the tomato paste test. Both are poisons of concern. Alternariol is “genotoxic in vitro” and has damaged the genetic material in cell studies. In animal experiments, TeA inhibited the formation of endogenous proteins, which could lead to organ damage.
Since both toxins can pose a possible health risk, there should be limit values or at least guideline values, especially in food production. However, this is currently not the case. The EU Commission is currently planning “guideline values” that companies can use as a guide. But this is not a must.