Danger!
Öko-Test finds mineral oil and cleaning agents in the butter
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The consumer magazine “Öko-Test” warns against butter consumption. Because 17 out of 20 tested butter brands are contaminated with pollutants. We explain here what you need to know about the callback.
After a butter test, the consumer magazine “Öko-Test” announced that 17 out of 20 types of butter could be harmful to health because they contain mineral oil and cleaning agents. We explain here what this means for consumers.
What was examined in the butter test?
20 different types of butter – including seven with an organic label – were examined for general quality characteristics. With the help of a microbiological test, it was possible to prove that 19 out of 20 products are heavily contaminated with mineral oil. In addition, the laboratory found residues of detergents in most types of butter. The husbandry conditions of the dairy cows were also evaluated – the organic butter performed better here.
What does this mean for consumers?
Mineral oil hydrocarbons have been detected in such large quantities in almost all butter products that, according to “Öko-Test”, they can already be carcinogenic. Only one type of butter scored “good” in the test, two others each with “satisfactory” and “sufficient”:
- Organic sour cream butter “Fassbutter Naturland” from Gläserne Molkerei (rating: good)
- Sour cream butter “Bio Almbutter” from Andechser Natur (grade: satisfactory)
- German brand butter from K-Classic, mildly acidified (grade: sufficient)
The other varieties received the grades poor and unsatisfactory. It is therefore better to refrain from consuming it in large quantities. Another option is to switch to margarine. You are also doing something good for the environment. The plant-based alternative uses significantly less water and energy during production.
Is organic butter better than regular butter?
In terms of husbandry conditions, the organic products perform better. Here, the dairy cows come out to pasture more often. However, tethering is not prohibited on organic farms either, so a long grazing period is no guarantee for organic animals. In the test, the level of pollutants in the butter varieties with the organic label was similar to that of the conventional varieties.
Source: wdr, Tagesspiegel, Utopia