Experts tested 11 donuts from supermarkets and bakeries, finding pesticides, mineral oils, and additives, with expensive products performing poorly.
Study Overview
The analysis covered 11 donuts available in supermarkets and bakery chains. Beyond taste and appearance, laboratory tests focused on composition, checking for pesticide residues, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), and food additives.
Disappointing Findings
No tested donut received a rating higher than “satisfactory.” Many products contained substances within legal limits but raised expert concerns due to potential health impacts from regular consumption, especially MOSH which can accumulate in the human body.
Problematic Products
German supermarket Edeka donuts had elevated MOSH levels, substances potentially from packaging or production—undesirable though not banned. Bakery chain Kamps donuts performed poorly, with traces of four different pesticides and additives like aromas and phosphates; one contained 17.6g of sugar and was among the most expensive. Both received “unsatisfactory” ratings.
Better-Performing Brands
Donuts from Lidl, Netto, and Rewe received “satisfactory” ratings, indicating no alarming exceedances, though not entirely free of issues.
Price Does Not Guarantee Quality
Cheaper donuts, including Netto, contained fewer problematic substances than more expensive bakery products, contradicting the assumption that higher price equals better quality.
Consumer Guidance
If consumers suspect food safety issues—such as odor, spoilage, mismatched ingredients, or health effects—they should keep receipts and packaging, take photos, and preserve samples. Reports can be made to local sanitary-epidemiological stations or the Trade Quality Inspection Agency for labeling or fraud concerns.
Food Safety Regulations
Poland’s State Sanitary Inspection and Trade Quality Inspection Agency oversee food safety, enforcing laws including the Food and Nutrition Safety Act and EU regulation 178/2002. Inspections involve accredited labs, with powers to impose fines, withdraw products, or close premises.
