K-Tipp sample: Most ready-made salads are hygienically delicate
23.5.2024
Translation: machine translated
It's quite possible that I'm about to spoil your appetite. Just 4 out of 20 ready-made salads passed a recent hygiene and pesticide test by K-Tipp. Mixed salads are the most contaminated.
Were you just about to go and get your lunch or dinner from the supermarket? Maybe a salad? Ready-made products are particularly practical on a long working day. They don't need to be washed, chopped or prepared. And after all, a salad is healthy, right?
It's not quite that simple with ready-made salads after all, as a sample from K-Tipp reveals. The editorial team of the Swiss consumer magazine had 20 such products analysed in the laboratory. The results were disgusting: only four were hygienically flawless and contained no pesticide residues. The rest turned out to be questionable.
Most enterobacteria in mixed salads
The main problem is enterobacteria. Although they are naturally present, "high levels indicate advanced spoilage of the product or hygienic deficiencies", writes K-Tipp. In its test, it refers to the guideline and warning values of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology: up to 1000 enterobacteria per gram are considered acceptable, from a value of 10,000 the product is considered unappetising.
Almost half of the ready-made salads tested - 9 out of 20 - exceeded the warning value. Especially for mixed salads: Coop Naturaplan's "Bio Saison Salat" and Lidl's "Select & Go", for example, were even found to contain two million enterobacteria per gram. When asked by K-Tipp, Coop pointed out that the number of enterobacteria in salads is not significant because they occur there naturally. Lidl also emphasised to 20 Minuten that they are widespread in nature. However, they are taking the test results seriously and have contacted the suppliers.
Harmful insecticide found
Two salads from Alnatura's Biofuel brand failed the test completely. Not only did they exceed the warning value for enterobacteria, they also contained residues of the controversial insecticide acetamiprid. Alnatura reacted and removed the affected salads from its range. According to 20 Minuten, however, they are now back on sale. "Our supplier has taken all necessary measures to investigate and rectify the causes of this unintentional contamination," said Alnatura operator Migros.
Another harmful insecticide, pirimiphosmethyl, was also detected in the horned lettuce - in all three tested: "Anna's Best Hörnlisalat" (Migros), "Chef Select Hörnlisalat mit Trutenfleisch" (Lidl) and "Good Choice Hörnli-Salat" (Aldi). The latter two also contained piperonyl butoxide, which enhances the effect of certain insecticides. The weedkiller glyphosate was found in "Mmmh Lentil Salad" (Denner). A pesticide that the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as "probably carcinogenic".
These four salads are safe
But there is also good news: Yeast fungi, for example, were hardly problematic in the salads tested. Only one salad, "Anna's Best Carrot Salad", exceeded the limit. In addition, no dangerous pathogens such as salmonella or listeria were detected in any of the 20 salads.
Source: Katja Fischer
And at least four of the salads were all in all safe: the lentil and beetroot salad from Migros Bio, the Denner carrot salad "Mmmh" and the "Betty Bossi Coleslaw-Carrots" from the Coop. Interestingly, three of the winners only contain one type of vegetable.
Maybe you'll reconsider your lunch or dinner now? Perhaps you'd prefer a fresh, home-made salad? It's not that difficult with the right tools. Sharp knife, salad spinner, pretty bowl - and be sure to rinse thoroughly beforehand. Enjoy your meal!
Header image: Katja Fischer
Katja Fischer
Senior Editor
Katja.Fischer@digitecgalaxus.chMom of Anna and Elsa, aperitif expert, group fitness fanatic, aspiring dancer and gossip lover. Often a multitasker and a person who wants it all, sometimes a chocolate chef and queen of the couch.
Food
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
18 comments
later