Popular children's snack

Many rice cakes full of harmful substances and sugar

Rice or corn cakes are considered a healthy snack, especially for children.

(Bild: MAK - stock.adobe.com)

The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) tested 22 rice and corn cakes from discount stores, drugstores and supermarkets, most of which were organically grown. Children's wafers (which are considerably more expensive) were also put under the microscope. The results are sobering.

Among the products purchased were eight rice cakes, seven children's rice cakes and seven corn cakes.

The main focus of the test was on acrylamide, heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and cadmium as well as mold toxins.

• The results were disappointing: "Two of the children's products scored 'good', three of the rice cakes and one of the corn cakes." Two organic rice cakes, on the other hand, were only "less satisfactory" due to their harmful substance content.

• Children's waffles full of sugar: According to the experts, all products in the test that were advertised as children's products contained additives such as juices, fruit, spices or flavorings. All had names such as yoghurt, whole milk, chocolate, cinnamon and honey or fruit flavors such as mango, raspberry or strawberry. All contained too much sugar.

It is anything but sensible to get young children used to sweet flavors. Due to the high sugar content, not a single product was awarded the Nutri-Score best value A.

VKI

Parents who want to give their offspring a neutral, unsweetened wafer must therefore resort to products that are not explicitly advertised for children. Conventional rice cakes, on the other hand, contain much less sugar, but significantly more often and more harmful substances.

Children's waffles cost three times as much
What's more, children's waffles are smaller but significantly more expensive than normal rice cakes. The average price per kilo is 30 euros. Conventional waffles cost around ten euros.

About the Nutri-Score

The Nutri-Score is a system for labeling the nutritional profile of a food on the packaging using the letters A to E and traffic light colors. This makes it possible to compare the nutritional value of products within a product group.

• Corn wafers often contain a relatively high amount of salt: According to consumer advocates, the situation is similar with corn wafers: less sugar, more harmful substances and almost all salted. According to the VKI test, the Nutri-Score for corn wafers is between B and C. One reason for this is the salt content and the lower protein and fiber content.

• "Normal" rice cakes best in terms of nutrients: In terms of nutritional values, the rice cakes not advertised for children scored best. Of these, four each received a Nutri-Score A and Nutri-Score B.