Due to their high nutrient content, oatmeal is actually a healthy food.
Although they are rich in vitamins, fiber, minerals and proteins, some products also contain critical substances, according to a new study by ÖKO-TEST.
For the Issue 10/2024 The experts examined a total of 35 different delicate oat flakes.
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Oatmeal test 2024: Organic wins at ÖKO-TEST
It’s clear that anyone who chooses organic products is usually on the safe side when it comes to oatmeal. According to ÖKO-TEST, 21 of the 35 oatmeal packs tested are “very good” – only two of which are not certified organic. Organic products consistently perform better than conventional brands.
Not organic, but still “very good” – these conventional flakes were convincing in the test:
- Delicate Kölln flakes
- Brüggen oat flakes extra tender
Mold and pesticides found
There are two reasons why conventional oat flakes get worse marks than the organic competition.
First: Around half of them had the mold toxins T-2 and/or HT-2; the experts found elevated or even significantly elevated levels. These poisons are produced by Fusarium fungi and attack the digestive tract and immune system.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a maximum recommended daily dose (TDI) up to which the consumption of mold toxins over a longer period of time is still considered to be harmless to health.
Two of the products tested exceed this value. The following applies to six other products: If a person weighing 60 kilograms consumes 40 grams of oat flakes, they have already reached half of the daily dose that is still considered safe.
There are also limit values for mold toxins that allow higher levels. However, ÖKO-TEST follows the Efsa TDI in its assessment, as ÖKO-TEST believes it corresponds better to the toxicological findings.
Second: The oat flakes contain residues from pesticides used in agriculture, such as glyphosate. ÖKO-TEST even discovered more than one pesticide residue in every second product.
The contents are well below the respective limit values. However, the consumer magazine’s testers still gave it a deduction.
You can read the full report with all the results for a fee at ÖKO-TEST.
Conclusion: Organic is (almost) always better – and not necessarily more expensive
If you want to be on the safe side, it’s best to buy organic oatmeal. Incidentally, these are hardly more expensive than conventional flakes. For just a few cents more per 500 grams, you get a product that is not only good for your health, but also for the environment.
This article was first published by our colleagues at CHIP.de.
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