Butter Cookies Under Scrutiny: Acrylamide and Pesticide Levels
High concentrations of acrylamide or pesticides detected in nearly half of the tested buttermilk samples
In a recent evaluation by the magazine "Eco-Test," butter cookies, a popular baked goods staple, were found to contain concerning levels of acrylamide and pesticides. The investigation involved 19 different products, including eight organic butter cookies (Issue 6/2025).
Mixed Results
The findings were varied. Some products contained acrylamide, some showed traces of pesticides, while a fortunate few tested negative for both substances. The magazine "Eco-Test" did not single out a conventional butter cookie for acrylamide contamination, citing the use of enzymes that break down asparagine in the dough, preventing acrylamide formation during baking. However, organic cookies were not exempt, with four organic cookies found to have elevated acrylamide levels.
Eight Top-Performing Products
Eight products managed to clear the "very good" hurdle, achieving this distinction due to their low or complete absence of acrylamide and pesticide residues. These products include:
- Dennree Dinkel Butter Cookies (Wikana)
- Dm Bio Dinkel Butter Cookie (Dm)
- Liebhart's Bio Dinkel Butter Cookie (Liebhart's)
- Pural Bretonischer Butter Cookie (Plural)
- Covo Butter Cookie Klassik (Penny)
- Delicia Butter Cookie (Norma)
- Jeden Tag Butter Cookie (Zentrale Handelsgesellschaft)
- Sondey Butter Cookie (Lidl)
The high sugar content of these butter cookies did not impact their grades in the test, given their role as a sweet treat and, consequently, their less-than-healthy status.
Pesticide Residues in Conventional Butter Cookies
While organic butter cookies had concerns regarding acrylamide, conventional butter cookies presented different issues. Every product tested by the lab contained at least one pesticide trace, with many displaying multiple contamination, with up to four pesticide residues. The magazine "Eco-Test" expresses concern about these multiple contaminations due to the unknown interactions of the pesticides.
It is imperative for consumers to stay informed about the potential contaminants in their food, especially when it comes to popular and frequently consumed items like butter cookies. The latest "Eco-Test" evaluation serves as a valuable resource for those seeking more responsible and health-conscious food choices.
- The investigation by "Eco-Test" also delved into the realm of science, examining the health-and-wellness aspects of butter cookies by evaluating their levels of acrylamide and pesticides.
- Interestingly, in the context of therapies-and-treatments, the use of enzymes in conventional butter cookies was noted as a possible means to prevent acrylamide formation during baking, according to the magazine "Eco-Test."
- In the realm of food-and-drink and lifestyle, the list of eight top-performing butter cookies, such as Dennree Dinkel Butter Cookies (Wikana), presents healthier options for those seeking lower levels of acrylamide and pesticide residues, contributing to a more balanced and informed diet.
