Unfortunately, several nectarines hold more than just vitamins.
As summer approaches, it's time to indulge in a juicy nectarine, a delicious variation of the peach. However, not all nectarines are created equal - some may contain harmful pesticides. To get to the bottom of it, Oeko-Test conducted a test on twelve nectarines from various sources.
Nectarines are essentially hairless peaches that have evolved naturally. They have become more popular than their hairy counterparts, with Germans now consuming three times as many nectarines as peaches. These fruits peak in season between July and August and are often favored due to their firmer flesh, which produces less dripping.
The taste and absence of pesticides are crucial for nectarines. Oeko-Test examined twelve nectarines from different retailers, including supermarkets, discounters, and a bio-market. Their prices ranged from 3.98 to 9.90 euros per kilogram.
In terms of contamination, the testers found that half of the fruits passed the test with flying colors. The bio-nectarines from Alnatura had no detectable pesticides, while the nectarines from Norma and Aldi Süd only had one trace of a pesticide each - both barely above the detection limit.
The associations did not dock any points for these two products, rating them both as "very good." All three nectarines were from Spain. However, for those who want to steer clear of pesticides altogether, organic products are the way to go. In organic farming, artificially synthesized pesticides are banned.
In eight out of eleven conventionally grown nectarines, the lab report revealed multiple contaminations with two to five pesticide residues. Some of these residues are considered particularly harmful by the testers, potentially causing problems for humans or the environment. "The individual pesticide residues are not extremely high, but we are concerned about the combination of different active ingredients in a single fruit. They accumulate, and we're not entirely sure about their potential interactions," explains Oeko-Test editor Heike Baier.
The nectarines from Lidl, which were imported from Chile, had the highest concentration of pesticides, including Spirodiclofen - a chemical no longer permitted on European fruit plantations due to its potential to be "probable carcinogenic" and "probably reproductive toxic" in the European Union. These nectarines received a "sufficient" rating in the test.
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- Some consumers opt for organic food, as it ensures no use of artificially synthesized pesticides in the production process, such as in nectarines from Norma Group's bio-market.
- Oeko-Test, a renowned testing organization, discovered that four nectarines from Lidl, including those from Chile, had a concerning level of pesticides, such as Spirodiclofen, which is considered potentially harmful by health advisors.
- Norma Group and Aldi Süd's nectarines had the least pesticide contamination amongst the retailers tested by Öko-Test, with their prices remaining competitive with other discount stores like Lidl, appealing to budget-conscious consumers who prioritize health and food quality.
- To help consumers make informed choices, German discounter Aldi and Norma Group offer a wide array of "very good" and affordable conventional nectarines and organic options, both of which have been highly rated by Öko-Test and are considered healthier alternatives to certain imported nectarines from suppliers like Lidl.
