Warnings Issued over Popular Brand's Ice Due to Discovered Chemicals in Eco-Test
In a recent evaluation by Öko-Test, a well-known German consumer testing magazine, Unilever's Cremissimo ice cream and Mövenpick's Urban Moments Cherry Brownie have received less than favourable ratings.
The Cremissimo ice cream, described as aromatic, sweet, and reminiscent of cream, with a creamy, melting consistency, was given an "inadequate" rating due to the presence of synthetic additives and other controversial substances. These include synthetic emulsifiers and stabilizers, artificial flavorings and possibly colorants, and palm oil, which Öko-Test flags due to their synthetic origin, potential allergens, and environmental sustainability concerns.
The main reason for the poor rating is the questionable ingredients in Cremissimo ice cream. In particular, the lab found significantly increased levels of saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOSH analogues) in the product. While the consequences of MOSH/MOSH analogues accumulating in human fat tissue and some organs are still unclear, animal studies have shown organ damage.
Oeco-Test did not downgrade the products that contained only traces of MOSH. However, the overall result for Cremissimo ice cream is based mainly on the ingredients, which received an "inadequate" rating. On the other hand, four other tested ice cream varieties contained only traces of MOSH, not affecting their ratings by Öko-Test.
In contrast, twelve vegan ice cream varieties were tested, and five of them received the rating "very good". Vegan ice cream varieties are becoming more common in supermarkets, but many cult brands of vegan ice cream have disappeared from the shelves.
Mövenpick's Urban Moments Cherry Brownie also received criticism for containing carrageenan and three pesticides in their samples. Carrageenan, a thickener derived from red algae, has been linked to promoting allergies and has negative effects on the digestive tract and immune system in animal studies. Öko-Test recommends avoiding the use of carrageenan.
These findings serve as a warning to consumers who prefer food products with cleaner, more transparent ingredient lists and better environmental credentials. As the demand for healthier and more sustainable food options continues to grow, it is essential for companies to prioritize natural, minimally processed ingredients free from controversial additives.
- The questionable ingredients in Unilever's Cremissimo ice cream, including synthetic additives and potential allergens like palm oil, have been flagged by health-and-wellness enthusiasts for their synthetic origin and environmental sustainability concerns.
- In the realm of science and lifestyle, as the trend towards healthier and more sustainable food options escalates, companies like Unilever must prioritize natural, minimally processed ingredients devoid of controversial additives to maintain consumer trust.
- Mövenpick's Urban Moments Cherry Brownie, while pleasant in taste, has raised concerns due to the presence of carrageenan and pesticides in their samples, an issue that calls for more health-and-wellness-focused therapies-and-treatments in their production process.
