There may be hidden alcohol in these foods – healing practice

Alcohol in food is not always clearly labeled

Many people do not want or should not – for health reasons or during pregnancy – for example alcohol consume. However, it is not only found in beer, wine and spirits, but also in many other beverages. races. And that’s not easy with many products.

When it comes to foods such as rum balls, cognac grains and sauerkraut in wine, the name already indicates that these products contain alcohol. However, it is less likely that products such as jams, soups, meat and fish dishes may also contain hidden alcohol (ethanol) as an ingredient or as a flavor carrier, reports the Consumer Center of the South Tyrol in a current issue. Message.

Some people have to, have to or want to do without it

For many people, small amounts of alcohol in food are not a problem, but for some people it can hidden ingredient become dangerous.

For example, patients with certain diseases, such as those of the cardiovascular system, should generally avoid alcohol, according to an article in the AOK Health Magazine.

Also Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume alcohol in order to protect the (unborn) child.

Moreover, people who find their way out of the Alcohol addiction found that alcohol should be avoided consistently, as even the smallest amounts or the taste of alcohol can trigger a relapse into addiction.

Foods and drinks containing alcohol are also not suitable for children’s diets, it says on the “Consumer portal Bavaria“. It has not yet been clarified whether children and young people are likely to become accustomed to the taste of alcohol by regularly snacking on sweets containing alcohol. But it may lower the inhibition threshold for trying “real alcohol” or alcopops.

For all these people and others, it is important to remark know when alcohol has been added to a food.

Also confectionery with alcohol

Some foods, such as fruit juices, bread, kefir or kombucha, naturally contain alcohol because some of the sugar in these products comes from microorganisms (yeast fungi, acetic acid bacteria) to alcohol.

Because this “natural” Alcohol content 0.3 percent by volume and the food does not taste like alcohol, it is classified as harmless, writes the South Tyrol consumer advice centre.

Anyone who ferments vegetables can Sauerkraut and Co. determine an alcohol content of up to 0.5% by volume, reports the AOK.

confectionery Liqueurs (eg, amaretto, eggnog), rum, fruit brandies or wine are sometimes added to foods such as compotes and jams.

and receipts for soups and sauces, for classic cheese fondue, for risotto, meat and fish dishes often contain wine or other alcoholic beverages as an ingredient for taste reasons.

Not always listed as an ingredient

“In the case of prepackaged foods, the alcohol or alcoholic beverage used must be indicated in the same way as the other ingredients”explains Silke Raffeiner, nutrition expert at the South Tyrolean Consumer Centre. “In the list of ingredients you will then find designations like”ethanol‘, ‘ethyl alcohol’, ‘drinking alcohol’ or ‘rum’ and the like.’

However, if groceries are sold in bulk, everything does not have to be ingredient list – and therefore also not alcohol – but only the allergenic ingredients have to be documented.

This also applies to meals away from home. Ethanol also acts as a conservatives, for example in fruit extracts, and as a solvent for flavourings. If alcohol is used as an excipient in this way, it is not necessary to specify it in the ingredient list.

Alcohol does not completely evaporate during cooking

From the point of view of the South Tyrol Consumer Advice Centre, the current labeling of alcohol is insufficient. A label element is required which allows the addition of alcohol to be recognized at first glance, for example a pictogram. The Brandenburg consumer center also sees this in a Message then.

Contrary to what is commonly accepted, evaporated Most of the time, ethanol is used in cooking and baking, but not completely. After about 30 minutes of cooking, about a third of the amount of alcohol originally added may still be present.

People who must, must or want to do without alcohol are therefore well advised in restaurants, canteens, ice cream parlors and confectioneries or at manufacturers. askwhich products or dishes have been prepared with alcohol. (ad)