One in five tomato strains in the Öko-Test study is contaminated with mold toxins. Particularly affected by organic products.
In a study of drained tomatoes, the journal “Öko-Test” found toxic metabolism products for mold toxins in every fifth variety (Issue 5/2021). “This means that rotting tomatoes found their way into jars and cans during production,” the testers criticize.
The primary substitute (AOH) and tenoisonic acid (TEA) were discovered in the products. Alternariol toxin damaged the genetic material in cell studies. It also had an effect similar to the hormone estrogen. On the other hand, TEA impeded the production of endogenous proteins in animal experiments. This can damage the organs in the long run.
Passing tomatoes: Four products heavily contaminated with mold toxins
So far there are no statutory boundary values. According to Öko-Test, mold toxin levels increased significantly in a total of six products. at
- “Bio Passata” by Rewe (“the poor”),
- “San Fabio Passata de Pomodoro Classic” by Penny (“Inadequate”),
- “Passata Tomato” from Bio-Zentrale (“Insufficient”) and
- “The Tomatoes That Happened to Demeter” from Campo Verde (“Not Enough”)
Therefore, a “significant increase” was made. The tea content of tomatoes in the headquarters for organic products was very high, and the other three products were contaminated with AOH.
You can find more test reports here.
Öko-Test detects pesticides banned in the European Union
Netto’s “Mondo Italiano Passierte” (“not enough”) also attracted negative attention. The laboratory detected seven pesticides in these. Six of them were present in the traces. On the seventh, chlorfenapyr, the value was above the maximum legal level of the remnant. Chlfenapyr is an insecticide banned in the European Union. It is very toxic to bees.
A total of three products scored “unsatisfactory” and two “poor”. Nine was “adequate”, and three were “satisfactory.” Our testers recommend the remaining 33 brands as “very good” or “good.” Yellowed tomatoes are well tested, which can be used as a base for soups or sauces. The so-called passata was examined in the laboratory for pesticide residues and mold toxins, for bisphenol A and tin. Cultivation and transparency aspects also played a role in the test result. For this, service providers must answer questions about the origin and cultivation of used tomatoes as well as working conditions on farms.
You can read the detailed test result in the May issue of “Öko-Test”.