Just a “very good” powder
Turmeric is a disappointment

06/24/2022, 06:50

Turmeric is a myth. And a promise of health. The root of the plant is said to help fight cancer, chronic inflammation, and joint pain, among others. The expectations of the corresponding products are therefore high. Öko-Test is disappointed.

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric root, has been said to have amazing health effects for quite some time now. Whether it’s Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, digestive problems, cancer, chronic inflammation or joint pain, the “magic medicine” must be consumed in food or in the form of a drink to relieve symptoms in the event of various adversities. Dark yellow powder, also known as turmeric, is one of the main ingredients in curry. According to Statista, 5696 tonnes of turmeric were imported into Germany in 2020, twelve years earlier it was just under 2100 tonnes. India was by far the most important supplier country with more than 4,200 tons.

With such demand, the question arises what is ground turmeric good for. Ecological test examined 21 products, eleven of them organic, from supermarkets, discounters and drugstores. At prices between 0.47 and 9.98 euros for 50 grams.

Almost all pass the pollution test

All turmeric products have been tested for harmful substances in specialized laboratories. Among others, heavy metals are lead and chromium and ethylene oxide, which is used as a pesticide or for fumigation. Additionally, samples were examined for contamination with mineral oil components (MOSH/MOAH), pesticides, mold toxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The microbiological quality has also been checked. The health effects of the goods have not been tested.

The result is disappointing. Only “Dennree ground turmeric, Naturland” (1.99 euros for 50 grams) obtained a “very good”, two products received a “satisfactory” (“Organic ground turmeric DM, Naturland”, 1.63 euros and ” Organic ground turmeric K-” from Kaufland, 1.88 euros). The others fail with “insufficient” or even “unsatisfactory”.

Mainly due to excessive exposure to mineral oil components from the testers perspective. There are also four brands of pesticides and the carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene – in an organic product of all things (“Sonnentor ground turmeric”, 2.99 euros). Therefore, the result is “insufficient”.

“Alnatura ground turmeric”, Aldi Nord/Süd’s “Organic ground turmeric”, “Tree of life ground turmeric” and “TRS Turmeric Powder Haldi turmeric powder” received the same low rating, mainly due to the greatly increased minerality petroleum components.