Passata Moldy tomatoes in every fifth passata.
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| Passata |
Nine of 49 tomatoes passed through in the test have a clear problem with mold toxins. In other words: moldy tomatoes end up in jars and cans during production. Organic brands are particularly affected. After all, 17 Pasta also got top marks.
With "very good" we can recommend 17 out of 49 glasses and cans of strained tomatoes.
Annoying: Every fifth Passata in the test has a problem with mold toxins.
Anyone who buys organic quality tomato strains supports cultivation without synthetic pesticides and artificial fertilizers. But be careful when choosing: In the test, organic products in particular are contaminated with mold toxins.
Some labels about the origin of the tomatoes can be confusing. We explain what consumers can look out for.
Passed tomatoes are an aromatic base for sauces and soups in every season. However, our test uncovered something unsavory : In every fifth passata we criticize the toxic metabolic products of mold . This means that moldy tomatoes found their way into jars and cans during production.
The dangerous mold toxins that have been discovered are among the alternative toxins. The black fungi of the genus Alternaria, which are widespread on plants, produce these toxins.
Criticism of mold toxins in strained tomatoes
We criticize mold toxins because they pose a potential health risk . The poison Alternariol (AOH) has damaged the genetic material in cell studies and has shown an estrogen-like effect. The tenuazonic acid (TEA) found more frequently in our test has inhibited the production of endogenous proteins in animal experiments, which could lead to organ damage.
In order to find out more about the effects of the poisons, science would urgently have to deal more intensively with the substances: "Overall, the data situation is still thin and there is an urgent need for research," says Markus Schmidt-Heydt, who works with the Max Rubner Institute Employs mold toxins.
In addition to high TEA or AOH contents, the substance ergosterol is an indication of processed rotten fruits . It was also found in most strained tomatoes with high TEA or AOH levels. However, the substance itself is harmless to health.
By the way: So far there are no mandatory legal limit values for alternative toxins. They are not in the works either. Initially, only indicative levels are provided, and if these are exceeded, the manufacturers are required to determine the causes.
Organic passata particularly affected
Noticeable: The commissioned laboratory found particularly significant contamination with fungal toxins, especially in organic products . That could be explained. One manufacturer argued that it was more difficult for them to minimize mold exposure because organic farmers were not allowed to spray fungicides. It's correct.
However, 19 out of 26 organic producers show that it can be done better. In practice this means: sorting out rotten tomatoes by hand or electronically before processing.
Pesticide content exceeds legal limit
What else is there to say about the ingredients of the tomato strain in the test? Once the laboratory we commissioned found the pesticide chlorfenapyr, which has long been banned in the European Union . The value is well above the legal maximum residue level. Chlfenapyr is on the list of the world's particularly dangerous pesticides in the PAN pesticide action network because it is highly toxic to bees.
But that's not all. There are traces of six other pesticides in the product, including cypermethrin , which is also toxic to bees . According to the supplier's report, no pesticide residues were detectable in a retained sample of the same batch.
In the other Passata in the test, the laboratory we commissioned only detected traces of one or two pesticides, if at all.
Passed tomatoes: On labor law and transparency
Because there is a lot going on in the tomato business around the world in terms of labor law, transparency and transport routes, we also sent the manufacturers questions about their supply chains and the cultivation of tomatoes .
What about the working conditions?
Regular employment contracts, statutory minimum wages, the right to trade unions - these should also be a matter of course in tomato cultivation. In fact, only just under half of the providers were able to convince us of their efforts to ensure fair working conditions: with certificates and audit reports that are based on international social standards.
We did not allow industry agreements, supplier contracts or company guidelines that are not subject to independent control by third parties to be taken as evidence.
Where do the tomatoes come from?
The majority of the packages expressly state Italy as the country of origin. In fact, in most cases, the manufacturers were able to plausibly demonstrate to us the tomato cultivation in Italy with delivery documents. Even for the products without any indications of origin on the packaging, we received proof of cultivation in Italy.
On the other hand, the origin of the tomatoes with the particularly regionally specific name Gustibus Passed Tomatoes with Sicilian Cherry Tomatoes remains nebulous . On the back of the bottle there is a note that the Sicilian fruits only make up 49.9 percent. The company did not send us receipts for this or for the remaining 50.1 percent.
Origin of the tomatoes: what to look out for
And what can consumers look out for? From some labels nothing at all can be read about the origin of the raw material, from others a lot. Some information can be confusing.
Safe thing: If the EU organic logo says "Italian agriculture", then an organic inspection body has checked this information as part of its annual organic inspection.
Spongy: "IT-BIO-007, EU agriculture", on the other hand, only means that a control body was active in Italy and that raw materials from the EU were processed. Even an Italian manufacturer's address says nothing about the origin, only about the place of bottling.
Patriotic: If the product name or a flag suggests a certain country, but the main ingredient does not come from there, the manufacturer must at least indicate this.
Production of strained tomatoes is not always transparent
According to figures from the nature conservation organization WWF, 115 liters of water are required for one kilo of tomatoes in southern Italy - a top value in southern European cultivation. This makes water-saving measures all the more important:
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| "Passata" Moldy tomatoes |
At least 30 Passata providers in the test answered us that farmers are careful to use water sparingly. Savings can be achieved primarily through drip irrigation, mulching or the monitoring of temperature, humidity and other measurement data.
The providers of some brands in the test did not send any answers to our questions. Transparency is the basic prerequisite for improving the situation for people and the environment in tomato production.
Test procedure
In the test: tomatoes finely strained 49 times. A good half of the products come from controlled organic agriculture. In the laboratory we had the products examined for residues of pesticides, mold toxins and the quality parameters ergosterol and lycopene. Ergosterol is not harmful, but it does indicate processing of moldy tomatoes. The more health-promoting dye lycopene indicates that predominantly ripe and only a few green fruits have ended up in the passata. Only once do we complain about the comparatively very low lycopene content. The canned product was also tested for bisphenol A and tin.
The providers should also answer questions about the origin and cultivation of the tomatoes used. We wanted to know if the tomatoes really come from Italy, as most labels suggest. We also asked for meaningful evidence of the extent to which the processing companies ensure fair working conditions on the tomato farms. Furthermore, they should explain what they are doing to irrigate in a water-saving manner.
Rating legend
Evaluation of test result ingredients:The test result for ingredients leads to a devaluation of five grades: a pesticide content above the EU maximum residue level for tomatoes of 0.01 mg / kg (here: chlorfenapyr). The following lead to a devaluation of four grades: Levels of alternative toxins above the indicative levels recommended by the EU Commission in accordance with the 2019 draft for tomato products of 500 μg / kg for tenuazonic acid and 10 μg / kg for alterariol (in the table: "TEA or AOH greatly increased"). The following leads to a devaluation of two grades: a) a tenuazonic acid content that more than half of the recommended guideline value is used (in the table: "TEA increased"); b) a pesticide not approved in the EU with a content of more than 0.01 mg / kg (here: chlorfenapyr). Lead to devaluation by one grade each: a) a particularly questionable pesticide with a content of more than 0.01 mg / kg (here: cypermethrin); b) 5 or more traces of pesticides detected; c) an ergosterol content of more than 15 mg / kg tomato dry matter (in the table "Ergosterol increased"), if it has not already been devalued for tenuazonic acid or alterariol; d) a "very low" lycopene content of less than 120 mg / kg. If "no" is given to specifically named analysis results, this means below the limit of quantification of the respective test method.
Assessment of test result cultivation and transparency:The test results for cultivation and transparency lead to a devaluation of two grades: a) the declared origin of the tomatoes is not proven on the basis of independent documents for the raw material used or no answer (exceptions: a) organic products for which the declared origin is also carried out the label "Italy or EU agriculture" could be proven; b) Products marked as "Passata die Pomodoro", which are certified as 100% Italy by the Italian authorities in accordance with the Ministerial Decree of 17/02/2006.); b) Efforts to ensure fair working conditions not proven or no answer. We evaluated certificates for the social standards SA8000, Social Footprint and GRASP evaluation certificates as evidence; also audit reports or the proven membership for the control instrument SEDEX / SMETA - in each case related to the named processing company and / or the producer (s). The following leads to the devaluation of one mark: no references to water-saving irrigation methods in tomato cultivation, in each case related to the named processing company and / or the producer (s). If a provider did not answer our questions about the origin and cultivation (working conditions, irrigation), the test result of cultivation and transparency is "unsatisfactory".
Evaluation of the test result Further defects: Below the test result Further defects leads to a devaluation of two marks: two or more traces of pesticides in an organic product. The following leads to the devaluation of one note: PVC / PVDC / chlorinated compounds in the lid seal.
The overall rating is based on the ingredients test result. A test result for cultivation and transparency that is "poor" or "unsatisfactory" worsens the overall rating by two grades. A test result for cultivation and transparency or a test result for other deficiencies that is "satisfactory" or "sufficient" worsens the overall rating by one grade. "Good" test results for cultivation and transparency or other deficiencies have no effect. If a supplier has not answered our questions about the origin and cultivation, the overall rating cannot be better than "sufficient".
Test methods
Pesticides: Screenings by GC-MS / MS and LC / MS / MS - each for food with a high water content. Lycopene: ASU L00.00-149: 2014. Alternative toxins: LC-MS / MS. Tests were carried out for alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ester, Altenuen, tentoxin, tenuazonic acid (TEA). Ergosterol: HPLC. The tomato dry matter (TTS) was calculated using an assumed dry matter of 9 g / 100 g of tomato strains and neglecting the amount of added common salt. PVC / PVDC / chlorinated compounds in the packaging: X-ray fluorescence analysis.
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