Four years late: Central authority in Germany clears up asparagus April Fool's joke

For years, an article from the Federal Center for Nutrition claimed that strawberries and asparagus together had an extraordinary effect - but it was all made up.

Bonn - Better late than never: The Federal Center for Nutrition (BzfE) disbanded an April Fool's joke on Wednesday (April 17th) - after a whole four years. A message entitled “Asparagus pee with strawberry smell” has been circulating on the authority's website since April 1, 2020, which reports on an alleged study on a connection between asparagus and strawberry consumption. After the report was repeatedly picked up by several news portals, the BzfE decided on Wednesday to provide a final clarification. The content of the article at the time was “fictitious” and “just an April Fool’s joke,” according to a press release entitled “Asparagus pee WITHOUT strawberry smell.”

The authority officially clarified that “asparagus pee with a strawberry smell” does not exist. In April Fool's Day 2020, the press department reported that an accidental discovery was made during an asparagus study. One alleged participant ate numerous strawberries before consuming the popular vegetable and reported that his urine suddenly smelled “slightly of strawberries.” It was also said that scientists have since been researching an asparagus that could produce a strawberry smell when going to the toilet. The entire study was fictitious. However, strawberries are still said to have a strong impact on health.

Four years late: BzfE explains April Fool's jokes about strawberries and asparagus

It was a harmless joke, but the article caused confusion. Some media had reported on the supposed study results based on the original report that was online up to that point. Among other things, the advice editorial team of the

also referred to them in a report in 2022. The supposed “asparagus study” can still be found on the BzfE website today.

Therefore, the press spokesman responsible for the hoax published a new report on Wednesday, April 17th. In the report entitled “Asparagus pee WITHOUT strawberry smell” he writes that the made-up message was taken up again by some editorial teams this year, despite new information. “So I hereby apologize and hope that no one experiences any trouble as a result of my inner compulsion to joke. If so, feel free to shift the blame onto me and have your superiors call me,” the message says, among other things. “I hereby assure you that you can (otherwise) rely on us as a reputable source!” Other home remedies should definitely help against asparagus urine.

Several media incorrectly reported about strawberries and asparagus - BzfE apologizes personally

, the BzfE representative said

that it was only last weekend that the editorial team made the decision to once again clearly label the joke study as such. On Tuesday, the message clearly stated “April, April!” was placed in the header image. In addition, a corresponding note was placed above the otherwise unchanged text, he explained. It says: “This report was written one day before April 2, 2020. = April. April!!!"

There were mainly positive reactions to the press release (“Asparagus pee WITHOUT strawberry smell”). The BzfE is part of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) and aims to inform and advise consumers in Germany about healthy diets, food safety and sustainable consumption.