Here we go again: sample analyzes on some types of food show contamination by substances potentially dangerous to health. The laboratory analyzes were carried out by Oko-Test and the results do not seem to be the best: most cereals, in fact, contain more or less significant percentages of acrylamide. Breakfast cereals and acrylamide Breakfast
cereals are among the foods most used by young and old, often the basis of a healthy diet. However, tests carried out by the German magazine seem to indicate the presence of compounds that are far from beneficial to health. Among these also the famous acrylamide. But not only. The best and worst breakfast cereals
Oko-Test has examined 50 brands of cereals (which we also find in Italy) and of these, only 15 have obtained full marks. In first position we find Lidl’s Crownfield Cornflakes and Aldi’s Knusperone Cornflakes. The worst, with the rating of “insufficient” are 14: Nestle fitness, Nestle Go Free, Kellogg’s Special K, Male and Schar brand products. Cereals with acrylamide, pesticides and molds
The problem of contamination does not only concern the presence of acrylamide but also of other substances potentially harmful to our health. We are talking about mold toxins, acrylamide, pesticides, Mosh and Moah. In some cases, excessive levels of salt were also highlighted. Acrylamide and cancer risk
Acrylamide has long been known due to its association with certain types of cancers, as highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). To underline this is also the German magazine itself: «it can increase the risk of developing cancer. And it is present in the products of well-known brands ». The substance is present in cereals due to the temperatures and the processing method: excessive roasting allows the sugars and the amino acid asparagine to give rise to this potentially toxic compound. “Some breakfast cereals in the test show that very low levels are possible. It partly depends on the manufacturers themselves how much acrylamide forms in the breakfast flakes. For example, it is important to find the ideal combination of temperature and duration of heating. Another risk factor is the addition of sugar before heat treatment ». As already mentioned, the products with the greatest presence of acrylamide are the following: Nestle fitness, Nestle Go Free, Kellogg’s Special K, Male and Schar brand products.Pesticides
Pesticides have been found in 4 brands of cereals and although their presence is particularly questionable, it seems that the quantity is not so bad for our health. Traces of deltamethrin and glyphosate have been found in Kellogg’s Special K Classic. Mold toxins
Four types of cereals have been found to be contaminated by dangerous mold toxins, the presence of which can lead to immune weakening. Those present to a greater extent are deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 / HT-2. Mosh and Moah
Mosh and Moah are two types of hydrocarbons derived from saturated mineral oils which, theoretically, should not be found in our cereals. But strangely enough, they have been found in Schar gluten-free cereal flakes and Vitabella cornflkes. Such compounds have also been associated with cancer risk. And sugar
Unexpectedly, the presence of sugars was not that excessive in most brands of breakfast cereals. The ones that contained the most were the Kellogg’s Special K Classic. But it is still a minimum quantity: 11.9 grams per 100 of product.
Scientific sources
Cornflakes im Test: Wie gut schlagen sich Kellogg’s, Nestle & Co.
– Oko-Test
