Only 1 in 5 Cooking Oils Is Truly Clean – Mineral Oil Contamination Remains a Major Risk

ÖKO-TEST tested 50 cooking oils and found that the majority of products contain concerning mineral oil residues. Peanut oils are often heavily contaminated. Consumers in Germany should pay close attention – and manufacturers as well as policymakers must finally take action.

Mineral oil components in food have been known for over ten years – yet clear legal limits are still missing. The latest ÖKO-TEST shows that only a few of the 50 cooking oils tested are nearly free of mineral oil residues. Many products, especially peanut oils, remain heavily contaminated.

Mineral Oil in Cooking Oils – An Unresolved Issue

ÖKO-TEST examined 50 cooking oils from five varieties: walnut, peanut, pumpkin seed, hemp, and sesame oils – including conventional and organic, cold-pressed and refined products. Only ten oils received a “very good” rating, as they contained little to no mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Six of these were pumpkin seed oils from Austria, including the Edeka Genussmomente Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, which was completely free of mineral oil residues.
Peanut oils, especially Mazola Peanut Oil, showed the highest MOAH levels. These aromatic hydrocarbons are potentially carcinogenic and should not be present in food. Therefore, Mazola received the worst rating of “insufficient.”

Many Products Failed – Manufacturers Respond Differently

In total, 31 of the 50 tested oils failed with “poor” or “insufficient” ratings. Some manufacturers, like Rewe, responded by proactively withdrawing contaminated batches of their organic pumpkin seed oil from the market. Others, including the producer of Mazola Peanut Oil, showed no willingness to recall contaminated products or take corrective measures.

Conclusion: Consumers Need to Be Vigilant

The test clearly shows that mineral oil contamination remains a serious problem in cooking oils. Consumers in Germany should choose certified products carefully, especially the clean pumpkin seed oils from Austria. At the same time, manufacturers and lawmakers are called upon to introduce binding maximum limits and consistently monitor product quality to ensure consumer safety.