Öko-Test has tested coconut milk and coconut oil. We reveal who the test winners are - and who does poorly.
- Öko-Test has put coconut milk and coconut oil from dm, Rewe and Edeka to the test.
- The result: coconut products are not always healthy, but are contaminated.
- Organic products also did not necessarily perform well in the test.
Frankfurt am Main - Coconut milk and coconut oil adorn the image of being extremely healthy. But they don't always live up to their reputation. Especially not if they contain harmful substances. This was recently shown by an investigation by Öko-Test , as RUHR24.de * reports.
Coconut milk and coconut oil in the test at Öko-Test
Coconut milk brings that certain something to your plate: It gives the dishes an exotic kick and is therefore no longer extremely popular not only in the countries of origin, but also in German cuisine. Just like coconut oil . The fat is suitable for frying and is repeatedly praised for its positive effect on skin and hair.
For its February edition, Öko-Test therefore sent coconut milk and coconut oil to an investigation laboratory to find out how healthy the exotic products really are. Ten brands of coconut oil and coconut milk were tested.
Coconut milk and coconut oil: that's the difference
But what is the difference between the two coconut products? Coconut milk consists of pressed coconut meat and water. Because milk is a purely herbal product, it is particularly popular with vegans and people who are lactose intolerant. But it is also extremely rich in saturated fatty acids.
Just like coconut oil . Therefore, the products should only be used in small quantities. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the myth that coconut oil is still particularly healthy. But: it can be heated to high temperatures and can withstand high temperatures when roasting and deep-frying.
Öko-Test examines products from dm, Rewe, Aldi and Co
Öko-Test examined both coconut oil and coconut milk in organic quality as well as conventional products. The coconut milk brands from Edeka , Kaufland , Dm and Rossmann were among them. But only the drugstores were organic.
The situation is different with coconut oil. Almost every manufacturer promises organic quality here. For example Alnatura , Rapunzel , Rewe , Lidl and Schneekoppe , which you can buy from Aldi . Only the tested Palmin fat does not bear an eco-label.
Five coconut oils are deficient
The Öko-Test check shows that the "organic" label does not necessarily mean something. Because five of the ten coconut oils tested failed completely with the grade "poor". These include the products of Alnatura, Rewe and Aldi own brands.
The reason: Öko-Test was able to detect high levels of mineral oil in all coconut oils . The substance is suspected to be carcinogenic. It should therefore not be found in food at all. But the opposite is the case. Öko-Test found the harmful substances not only in coconut oil, but also recently in popular products such as chocolate and hummus.
We tested 25 milk chocolates - only two bars are "good" https://t.co/eDiPNruj3p
- ÖKO-TEST (@oekotest) November 21, 2019The problem: mineral oil in coconut oil is legal
The mineral oil components MOAH and MOSH can get into the food in different ways. For example, about exhaust gases, greases or plastics in industrial plants. How can that be?
Organic quality coconut products are not necessarily healthy either, according to Öko-Test.
© dpa / collage: RUHR24
Manufacturers have little to worry about whether the dangerous substances get into their products or not. Because there are still no legal limit values in Germany, only orientation values. However, exceeding this has no consequences. And so the mineral oil continues to end up in coconut oil, chocolate and Co.
But there is hope - at least with coconut oil. Customers can safely use the exotic fat from Rapunzel or Borchers.
Coconut milk: The results of Öko-Test at a glance
And what about coconut milk? At first glance, the results of Öko-Test seem very optimistic:
- Six types of coconut milk score "very good". Among others, those from Dm, Dennree and Bio Gourmet.
- All milk products were free of mineral oil in the test.
- There was criticism of conventional Edeka coconut milk. Here the thickener carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) could be detected. Trials have shown that CMC can damage the intestinal flora.
- Another coconut milk also contained an increased amount of chlorate, a substance that is found in disinfectants and inhibits iodine uptake in the thyroid. Fortunately, the substance did not appear in any coconut milk with an organic seal.
So if you want to continue to rely on coconut milk in your kitchen, it is best to use organic products, as recommended by Öko-Test. There was nothing to complain about in the test. There is criticism for this elsewhere.
Video: the way of coconut milk
Products made from coconut are exotic - and therefore always imported goods. This is the big minus point for coconut milk and coconut oil. Because they have a long transport route with a correspondingly high CO2 emissions behind them before they land in our stores. In addition, working conditions, fair wages and cultivation criteria are extremely questionable. So if you want to be on the safe side, pay attention to the Fairtrade seal when buying. libe
* RUHR24.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network