Several brands contained elevated levels of 3-MCPD, a contaminant that forms during the industrial processing of fats and oils (used in the breading). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies 3-MCPD as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
The 2022 Öko-Test serves as a reminder that brand recognition is not a guarantee of safety or quality. For consumers looking to minimize exposure to carcinogens and mineral oils, the test suggests: Several brands contained elevated levels of 3-MCPD, a
While most brands used MSC-certified fish, the test found that "certified" did not always equate to "sustainable" in practice. Brands often lacked transparency regarding the exact catch methods and the specific fishing grounds used. Performance of Major Brands Brands often lacked transparency regarding the exact catch
The test results were particularly damaging for market leaders. While generic "store brands" often performed surprisingly well, the "big names" struggled. including both conventional and organic options
The 2022 evaluation by Öko-Test revealed significant quality discrepancies in one of Germany's most popular frozen convenience foods: fish sticks. Out of 19 products tested, including both conventional and organic options, the results were sobering. Many established, high-profile brands failed to meet basic health and sustainability standards, primarily due to chemical contamination and transparency issues in the supply chain. Summary of Key Findings
The investigation focused on several critical pillars: ingredients, pollutants, and the sustainability of the fishing practices used. The most alarming discovery was the presence of harmful substances in nearly half of the products tested.