“Oeko-Test” has examined sunflower oils more closely. About half were able to explain. In another, various contaminants were found in the laboratory – including a carcinogenic substance.

Sunflower oil is mostly contaminated with mineral oil. This is shown by a study from the journal “Scho-Test” (issue 8/2021). Only traces of it were found in one of the 21 oils, with the other products having at least slightly increased levels. Nine refined and twelve cold-pressed oils were tested.

This sunflower oil contains particularly large amounts of MOSH

The laboratory found the highest levels of saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) in refined oils “Thomy Pure Sunflower Oil” from Nestlé (“inadequate”) and “pure sunflower oil” from Penny (“inadequate”). MOSH can accumulate in various organs and cause liver damage in animal experiments. It is still unclear whether they affect human health.

Among native oils, “Sunflower Oil Cold Pressed” from Daenerys (“inadequate”), “Gut Organic Sunflower Oil Native Cold-Pressed” from Aldi Sud (“inadequate”) and “Organic Sunflower Oil Cold Pressed, Natureland” DM (“inadequate”) “) to) negative. In the former case, testers criticized the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzo(a)pyrene. This substance is considered carcinogenic.

“Öko-Test”: dm . Mold toxin in sunflower oil

The mold toxin alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) was found in oil from DM. “Oko-Test” greatly increased the salary. AME causes damage to genetic material in cell studies. There were also some deductions for this product in terms of sensor technology: testers describe the taste as “slightly chemical”.

Overall, one sunflower oil got a “very good” grade, nine got a “good” and six got a “satisfactory” grade. Four failed the test with “unsatisfactory” and one “unsatisfactory”.

These criteria played a role in the investigation

For testing, all 21 oils were tested in the laboratory for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mineral oil components, certain mold toxins (alternative toxins), plasticizers and the pesticide glyphosate. Heat-treated oils were also checked for fatty substances and trans fatty acids.

In addition, trained sensory experts tasted the oils according to the German Society for Fat Science (DGF) standard method. Content checkpoint played the biggest role in the exam result.

You can get detailed test results in the August issue of “Öko-Test” read.