“Too many harmful substances and sugar” in rice and corn cakes

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Rice or corn cakes are considered a healthy snack, especially for children. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) tested 22 products – eight rice cakes, seven children’s rice cakes and seven corn cakes, most organic. The results were disappointing: “Two of the children’s products scored ‘good’, three of the rice cakes and one of the corn cakes.” On the other hand, two organic rice cakes were only “less satisfactory” due to their contaminant content.

The products were purchased in organic stores, discount stores, drugstores, and supermarkets. The majority of rice and corn wafers on the market are labeled as organic. The main focus of the test was on acrylamide, heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium, and mold toxins.

VKI: Hands off children’s waffles
According to the experts, all products in the test that were advertised as children’s products contained additives such as juices, fruit, spices or flavors, and all had names such as yogurt, whole milk, chocolate, cinnamon and honey or fruit flavors such as mango, raspberry or strawberry. “It is anything but sensible to get young children used to sweet tastes,” criticized the VKI. “Due to the high sugar content, not a single product was awarded the Nutri-Score best value A.”

Parents who want to give their offspring a neutral, unsweetened wafer must, therefore, turn 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.

Corn cakes often contain relatively high levels of salt
According to consumer advocates, the situation is similar to corn cakes: 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. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the salt content and, on the other, the lower protein and fiber content compared to rice cakes.

“Normal” rice cakes are best for nutrients
Regarding nutritional values, the rice cakes that were not advertised for children came out on top. Of these, four each received a Nutri-Score A and Nutri-Score B. “Thanks to their high protein and fiber content, they are also suitable as a sports snack,” said the testers. 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.

The children’s wafers are also smaller, but significantly more expensive than normal rice cakes. The average price per kilo is 30 euros. Conventional wafers cost around ten euros.