Barbecue season is finally here, and supermarkets are ready to sell tons of meat in the coming weeks. Ranges are increasingly extensive to satisfy all diets, but also the wallets of customers, who are eating less meat since the surge in prices. But given the wait before enjoying a ray of sunshine, we have no doubt that summer sales will be good.
It is still necessary to know exactly what you are buying and what you are consuming. As we know, processed products can hold unpleasant surprises. A new study conducted by the French organization 60 million consumers takes stock of sausages and merguez sold in French stores. Around thirty references – both classic and vegetable – were evaluated, some of which also end up on the Belgian market.
The minced meat war has begun in mass distribution: how do the brands manage to offer such promotions?
First problem, the additives.In total, four chipolatas and nine merguez sausages contain additives, mainly preservatives and colourings. More annoyingly, 60 Millions noted the presence in several references of carmine E120, which implies allergenic extraction residues, which is best avoided. As for vegetable sausages, they all contain additives. These are mainly texturizers, antioxidants and colourings. Among the first, certain gums and methylcellulose (E461) are suspected of disrupting the microbiota and playing a role in chronic intestinal inflammation (E410 carob seed flour and E415 xanthan gum, found in two products).“
Then we talk about sugar.”Added sugars in small quantities (sucrose, glucose syrup, dextrose) appear in most ingredient lists. They are used to mask bitterness, to color and caramelize the sausage during cooking or to ensure better preservation. Of the 23 meat products in our study, only three chipolata recipes have the merit of doing without them.“
The big brand test: here are the best merguez sausages to put on your barbecue (COMPARISON)
Nothing to rejoice about, therefore, especially since many references contained too little meat, replaced by fat, in different forms. Finally, traces of… pork were found in different merguez sausages, normally composed of beef and mutton or lamb.A DNA analysis was carried out on all the merguez sausages. Because, without the mention “real”, other meats are authorized (pork, goat, horse, donkey, mule, etc.) provided that they are specified on the product. A major problem: our DNA research shows traces of pork in two brands of ‘real’ merguez sausages“, we learn again.
Our consumer test of the week: chipolatas are a disaster!
