The German Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety has conducted several food safety and quality tests, revealing concerning results. In tests on cold-smoked salmon, 8.2% were found to contain Listeria monocytogenes, with one sample exceeding the limit for ready-to-eat food, posing a risk especially for vulnerable groups.
Additionally, tests on algae products revealed high levels of heavy metals and elements, including lead, cadmium, copper, and arsenic, exceeding European Union limits. Iodine levels were also found to be high in 75 of the 82 samples, with 10 of these failing to carry the necessary warnings about excessive iodine intake.
Further testing on vegan cheese substitutes based on almonds, cashews, walnuts, and nut mixtures showed no presence of salmonella, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, or Listeria monocytogenes. However, preservative contamination was detected in some samples, raising concerns about the safety and quality of these food products. These findings underscore the importance of proper labeling and adherence to safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of consumers.