Commission requested to draft a directive aimed at safeguarding the natural world.
In a recent evaluation by Öko-Test, cream spinach products came under scrutiny, with the results revealing a mix of satisfactory and problematic findings.
According to guidelines for vegetable products, frozen cream spinach should contain a minimum milk fat content of 0.8%. However, five products in the Öko-Test's comparison fell short, containing less than the recommended minimum.
One of the key concerns highlighted in the comparison was the presence of nitrate in spinach, which can convert into harmful nitrite at room temperature. Consuming spinach more than once a week can potentially lead to the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. The Öko-Tester expressed concern over this issue, recommending a weekly limit on spinach consumption.
Seven out of 22 cream spinach products tested by Öko-Test received inadequate and unsatisfactory ratings due to problematic substances such as elevated nitrite values, pesticides, heavy metal contamination, and some exceeding limit values. Despite these findings, none of the tested products contained relevant germs or listeria.
However, there were some positive outcomes. Four cream spinach products received the rating "very good" and were found to have nothing to complain about. Among the winners, K-Bio Cream Spinach from Kaufland, Tegut Cream Spinach from Tegut, All Seasons Cream Spinach in portions from Aldi Nord/Aldi Süd (Ardo), and Ja! Cream Spinach from Rewe were highlighted, priced at 1.88 euros, 1.88 euros, 0.56 euros, and 0.99 euros per 500g, respectively.
The Öko-Tester also expressed irritation with cream spinach products with insufficient cream content. Leftovers of once prepared spinach should be covered quickly, stored in the refrigerator, and well reheated before consumption to ensure safety and quality.
For precise details about the problematic substances in Öko-Test’s cream spinach comparison, it is recommended to consult the official Öko-Test Issue 8-2025 magazine or their website directly.
- The 'science' of vegetable products recommends a minimum milk fat content of 0.8% for frozen cream spinach, as per guidelines.
- In the realm of 'health-and-wellness', consuming spinach more than once a week may lead to the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines due to the presence of nitrate.
- In 'lifestyle' and 'food-and-drink', best practices include quick covering and refrigeration of leftover spinach, followed by proper reheating before consumption for food safety.
- For enthusiasts of 'cooking' and 'nutrition', four cream spinach products were recognized as the best by Öko-Test, namely K-Bio, Tegut, All Seasons from Aldi Nord/Aldi Süd (Ardo), and Ja! from Rewe, each priced differently.
