Apple juice in the Öko-Test: Laboratory finds banned spray poison in five juices

Created: 09/05/2022, 16:37

By: Maria Wendel

Apple juice is popular and there is plenty to choose from.

Öko-Test took a close look at 33 naturally cloudy juices - three only received the rating "insufficient".

Apple juice is available from numerous suppliers, it is a popular drink and also a beer garden classic as a spritzer.

However, tests by Stiftung Warentest or Öko-Test show that there are some differences in terms of quality.

In the September 2022 issue, Öko-Test presents the results of a study of 33 naturally cloudy apple juices, 16 of which have an organic seal.

In terms of taste, almost all apple juices can convince the testers.

However, this time it is denounced that a spray poison was found in five juices that is actually banned in fruit growing in the EU.

Apple juice in the Öko-Test: Laboratory finds banned spray poison in five juices

The spray poison is mepiquat, a substance used in conventional grain and fruit cultivation that can increase yields.

However, this pesticide active ingredient is banned on European orchards.

The following therefore applies at EU level: only 0.02 milligrams of mepiquat may be measured in one kilogram of apples.

However, the laboratory commissioned by Öko-Test found a higher content in three apple juices, which Öko-Test has strongly criticized.

For comparison: In a test from two years ago, no apple juice failed, almost all products were recommended.

But it wasn't just with spray poison that there were problems in this year's test.

Traces of pesticides were also found in 17 naturally cloudy apple juices - albeit in small quantities that did not affect the verdict.

There are many juices on offer in the supermarket.

Öko-Test has determined which apple juices you can use without hesitation.

© Rainer Droese/Imago

Apple juice in the Öko-Test: Three juices fail with "insufficient".

You should stay away from these three apple juices when it comes to Öko-Test.

You have received the verdict "insufficient" because you exceed the "maximum residue level" on the spray poison mepiquat:

• Becker's best naturally cloudy apple

• Net Belsina apple naturally cloudy

• Penny Paradiso apple naturally cloudy

Do not refreeze these foods once they have been thawed

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Öko-Test compares apple juice: Organic performs better than conventional

Now to the more pleasing results: A total of 21 apple juices scored "very good" in the test, including, for example, the organic product "Voelkel Demeter direct apple juice" (3.13 euros per liter), dmBio apple juice Naturland (1.35 euros per liter), Lindavia apple juice (1.79 euros per liter) and Rewe Beste Wahl apple juice (0.99 euros per liter).

13 organic juices scored "very good", two with "good", one with "satisfactory".

Organic juices were able to achieve top results, especially with regard to ingredients and pesticide contamination.

In the case of conventional apple juices, eight products were rated “very good”, three “good” and three “satisfactory”.

The results also show that you can get very good products for little money and enjoy the juices without any worries.