The famous cocoa and hazelnut spread is in the eye of the storm abroad. On the web and on social networks, experts and consumers advise avoiding Nutella because it contains ingredients that are dangerous to health.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous
The famous cocoa and hazelnut spread is in the eye of the storm abroad. On the web and on social networks, experts and consumers advise avoiding Nutella because it contains ingredients dangerous to health.
Under accusation we find the now known Palm oil, refined sugar and XNUMX teaspoon vanilla extract. The German press talk about the Nutella as a product that can cause serious problems due to the high content of palm oil and refined sugar. It also emphasizes the low content of hazelnuts: only 13% of the total ingredients.
For palm oil a very specific problem is highlighted: one fifth of Nutella is made up of pure fat and palm oil when heated in industrial processes leads to the formation of fatty acids which can be harmful to the human body even in small quantities.
He confirmed it Alfonso Lamps, nutrition expert of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment of Germany (BFR). To his opinion the fatty acids that are formed in the processing of palm oil are harmful to the kidneys, liver and testicles and can even have carcinogenic effects.
In Germany they are also the subject of attention other cocoa and hazelnut creams that citizens can normally find at the supermarket. The issue of palm oil and health concerns all spreads that contain it as an ingredient.
They are numerous the articles that abroad attack Nutella, not only for the presence of palm oil but also because it contains ingredients such as soy lecithin, vanillin and milk powder. THU e Thu find two articles that have now gone viral on Facebook that invite you to say no to Nutella and forbid it especially to children.
In these articles it says that Nutella contains vanillin, an artificial ingredient that represents a neurotoxin for brain cells. But according to the OECD vanillin is not a substance dangerous to health and no particular risks have ever been identified in this regard. Vanillin is defined by the OECD as an additive used worldwide and approved by food safety authorities.
Ferrero Australia è intervened to clarify the matter and stressed that vanillin is used as a synthetic food additive because the production of vanilla beans is not sufficient to meet industrial demand. international website explains that vanillin is needed to ensure the original taste of the product.
Furthermore, Ferrero Australia reiterated that the palm oil used to produce Nutella is 100% sustainable based on the RSPO certification (on which however in the past have been relieved several doubts).
The fear is that the RSPO will only protect parts of the forest considered 'high conservation value' from deforestation and will continue to allow deforestation for oil palm cultivation in 'less valuable' areas in the meantime. The organization Save The Forest he also points out that RSPO-certified companies continue to be involved in deforestation. Not to mention that Ferrero itself is part of RSPO and that there is therefore the doubt that the controls are in some way piloted.
Ferrero he promised recently in a letter sent to Grenpeace who will intervene to save the forest. Will it be enough? Consumers would like more guarantees from the company.
Palm oil and vanillin they are not only present in Nutella, but in numerous industrial confectionery products. Just read the labels to realize this. If we want to avoid 'uncomfortable' ingredients, we can always prepare our favorite desserts and spreads at home. For example, have you already experienced our homemade Nutella recipe?
Marta Albè
Read also:
HOME MADE VEGAN NUTELLA
SPREADABLE CREAMS: 12 BIO ALTERNATIVES TO "NUTELLA" (WITH AND WITHOUT PALM OIL)
PALM OIL: BECAUSE IT IS HARMFUL FOR HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
