On 20 March 2017, the online TV channel Stream published a test entitled “Sweet nut spreads containing carcinogens. How did Nutella fare?”, which assessed the levels of harmful substances, mould and sugars in these spreads. Among other things, the tests also assessed the Carla Cream cocoa and hazelnut spread. The programme’s presenters rated this spread as a failure in the test, primarily due to its high content of trans fatty acids. We cannot agree with this assertion and therefore, as the manufacturer of this cocoa and hazelnut spread, we consider it necessary to comment on the assessment and results of these tests.
The first substance mentioned in the programme was 3-MCPD esters. These substances are formed during the refining of vegetable fats, which is why they are found in higher quantities in such fats. There have not yet been sufficient studies to determine what quantity in vegetable oils is safe, and therefore no limits have been set; however, these substances have already been detected in many types of food. We are therefore awaiting the European Commission’s stance on the matter, as it is currently addressing this issue. The maximum daily intake recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) applies to free 3-MCPD; it does not apply to esters, i.e. the form of these substances that was examined in the test. Unfortunately, the producers of the ADOST! programme combine information in such a way as to create a sensation, in this case in a negative sense, whilst failing to provide their viewers with all the essential information.
Our company’s aim is to minimise the use of fats with a higher content of trans fatty acids (TFA). High-quality fat with a very low content of these acids is used in the production of our cocoa and hazelnut spread. Following the publication of the results on the ADOST! programme, we immediately sent samples of our cocoa and hazelnut spread to an accredited laboratory to verify the results. The analysis of our sample revealed a trans fatty acid content of 1.59 g per 100 g of fat (a link to download the report is provided below). This is a low value, for example, complying with the maximum permitted level of up to 2 g of TFA per 100 g of fat, in accordance with the standard applicable in Austria, as mentioned several times on the programme. In the Czech Republic, the TFA content in food is not yet regulated by any legal requirement; should such regulation come into force, we are prepared for it and are unequivocally in favour of introducing these limits.
The content of saturated fatty acids in the spreads was also tested. It was mentioned that our spread contained the highest level of saturated fatty acids and that this was even different from what is stated on the packaging. As for the claim that a different amount was found than that stated on the packaging, this is of course possible. However, despite this, the measured saturated fat content corresponds to the claim on the packaging, as average values are always stated. It is not possible to state exact figures on the packaging; therefore, permissible deviations are set, in this case a deviation of +/- 20% is permitted. The values therefore correspond to the declaration on the packaging, which is why we do not understand the reporter’s negative reaction.
What we consider essential, and which was not mentioned in the test, is that, unlike most of the other products tested, this spread is not made from palm oil. As one of the few manufacturers, we wanted to offer our customers an alternative cocoa-nut spread free from palm oil. We use shea fat, or shea butter, in the production process. This fat is obtained from the fruit of the African shea tree, which grows wild and is not cultivated on plantations; consequently, there is no uncontrolled destruction of nature, as is the case with oil palm cultivation.
We believe that a varied and balanced diet is the fundamental and most important prerequisite for good health; therefore, consuming cocoa and nut spread in normal quantities has no negative impact on health, and it is truly not possible to classify this product as harmful to health.
CARLA does everything in its power to guarantee our customers a high standard and quality in all the products we manufacture. Unfortunately, we must state that the review of our product on the programme A DOST! was misleading to consumers in several respects.
Nikol Trsková,
MSc
Quality Manager
