Digestive biscuit test reveals palm oil links to harmful substances

A study by the consumer magazine Råd & rön testing 14 varieties of digestive biscuits has found that those containing palm oil tend to have higher levels of harmful substances and lower taste ratings compared to those made with sunflower oil.

Laboratory analysis revealed that the refining process for certain oils can lead to the formation of 3-MCPD and glycidol. These substances are considered potentially carcinogenic, and high intake of 3-MCPD may impact kidney function and male fertility. The test noted that Eldorado's digestive biscuits contained the highest levels of 3-MCPD.

In terms of taste, the British original, McVitie's Digestives The Original, ranked lowest, with testers describing it as bland. While all tested varieties contained whole grain wheat, McVitie's whole grain variant had the highest concentration at 69 percent. However, the report notes that most digestive biscuits remain high in sugar and fat, typically around 20 percent each.