Maultaschen are a traditional dish from southern Germany. The pasta pockets are now popular throughout Germany as a refrigerated or frozen product and therefore as a quick lunch or dinner. Öko-Test took a closer look at twelve finished products and found a lot of harmful substances. Therefore, half of the products fail the test.
Maultaschen are considered a Swabian classic – hearty, versatile and quickly prepared as a ready meal. But what is really in the finished products from the refrigerated shelf? To answer this question, Öko-Test ten Maultauschen with meat from the refrigerated shelf and two products from the freezer shelf sent to the test laboratory. Four products carry an organic seal.
In the laboratory, the Maultaschen were tested for pesticides, mineral oil, the heavy metal cadmium and pathogens. The focus was also on the salt content, as well as the general composition of the ingredients and the type of farming from which the meat and eggs come.
Die half of the products could not withstand the test criteria: Öko-Test had to rate six Maultaschen as “poor” and “unsatisfactory”. Only three of twelve products are really recommended.
Maultaschen at Öko-Test: organic products are convincing
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What immediately stands out in the Öko-Test results: The first three places are exclusive with organic products occupied. All three received it Grade “good”because they are free of pesticides, germs and other questionable ingredients. In addition, eggs and meat come from organic animal husbandry.
One of the three test winners are the “Organic Maultaschen with meat filling” from Aldi South. The only point of criticism with this product is the increased salt content of 1.26 grams per 100 grams. However, too much salt is also a problem with all other Maultaschen.
Utopia.de also recommends, especially for animal products pay attention to organic quality. This way you can guarantee that the products come from better animal husbandry and thus reduce animal suffering. Depending on the organic seal, different strict requirements apply to the farming method: the associations Bioland, Demeter and Naturland have higher standards than the EU organic seal.
Pesticides in all conventional Maultaschen products
Using organic products is not only recommended because of animal husbandry, but also helps to avoid pesticides in food. While all organic products are free of chemical pesticides, the lab discovered in all conventional products at least Traces of a pesticide.
Some products even contain traces of up to three pesticides. Öko-Test devalues this because it is still unclear what interactions can arise between different pesticides. Öko-Test also found traces of glyphosate in two products – a substance that has a particularly negative impact on biodiversity and is classified as probably carcinogenic.
Öko-Test criticizes a lack of transparency and problematic forms of husbandry
A big point of criticism in the test is this Animal husbandryfrom which meat and eggs come. For example, no conventional product has a declaration on the packaging as to how the animals were kept. Although this is not mandatory by law, according to Öko-Test, information about the type of husbandry should be the minimum that consumers need informed purchasing decisions can meet.
When asked, seven manufacturers explained that the pigs from which the meat for the Maultaschen comes were prepared according to the requirements of the Attitude level 1 were held. Not even one square meter of space is provided for each animal. The animals usually never get to experience daylight or fresh air. Things don’t look much better when it comes to the eggs used: in all conventional Maultaschen, the eggs come from barn farming. Here, too, the animals live in very small spaces in factory farming.
Maultaschen from Bürger and Penny disappoint
Bürger is one of the best-known Maultaschen manufacturers. While the “Citizen Organic Maultaschen” The conventional ones are largely convincing “Citizen Maultaschen traditionally Swabian” completely different: you pass the test with the Rating “poor” not. In addition to the high salt content and the two proven pesticides, animal husbandry is also responsible for this. The meat comes from stable farming, which corresponds to farming type 1, and the eggs come from barn farming.
Both “Penny Ready Metzger Maultaschen with pork”, the testers came to a similar conclusion: too much salt, traces of pesticides and problematic farming practices. The laboratory also discovered these Maultaschen increased amounts of germs. According to Öko-Test, this could be an indication of a lack of hygiene measures during production.
However, it could also mean that the product is slowly starting to spoil. A small ray of hope: This case does not involve pathogenic germs such as E. coli. Nevertheless, germs do not belong in ready meals. Overall, Penny’s Maultaschen are rated “insufficient“ one of two test losses.
You can read all the details and test results in Öko-Test issue 11/25 and online at ökotest.de.
Conclusion: Simply avoid animal suffering and pollutants
We recommend, It’s best to make Maultaschen yourself and avoid meat. For example, you can make the filling from spinach and (vegan) feta and thus avoid animal suffering. Would you like to open it? finished Maultaschen These also exist vegetarian and organic quality to buy. This not only helps the animals, but also you and your health.
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