Nutella fails Öko-Test due to high sugar and mineral oil

Nutella has received an ‘insufficient’ rating in a recent Öko-Test evaluation of 21 hazelnut-nougat creams. The consumer test highlighted several concerns regarding the market leader's ingredients, specifically noting a sugar content exceeding 56 percent, the presence of mineral oil residues, and the addition of the flavoring agent vanillin.

In response to the findings, manufacturer Ferrero rejected the criticism. The company stated that its mineral oil levels are significantly below the recommended guideline values set by German federal states and defended the use of vanillin as a standard component of its established recipe.

As alternatives to the high-sugar spread, experts suggest using pure nut butters, such as unsweetened hazelnut or almond butter, which provide similar flavors without added sugars or additives.