Rapeseed Oils in Test – Better Results than Olive Oils

After Stiftung Warentest recently disqualified several olive oils, SWR commissioned its own test with the most popular oil among Germans: rapeseed oil. In the past, as with various olive oils this year, mineral oil components were found in rapeseed oil, which can, among other things, be carcinogenic. Six branded products from major supermarket chains such as Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, and Edeka were tested. The test was conducted by an independent and recognized food laboratory.

Rapeseed Oil Healthier than Olive Oil

As with the olive oils, only cold-pressed rapeseed oils were tested, which is the gentlest method of production and preserves many nutrients. From the ingredients of the tested products, it was already clear: the very healthy unsaturated fatty acids are even better distributed in rapeseed oil than in olive oil. Omega-6 and Omega-3 should ideally be in a ratio of 5:1 or less. Olive oil has a ratio of 9:1, while rapeseed oil only has 2:1, explains nutrition expert Sabine Holzäpfel from the Consumer Advice Center of Baden-Württemberg. The German Nutrition Society also recommends rapeseed oil as the preferred oil in a healthy diet. This oil can have a positive effect on cholesterol levels and promote circulation.

All Tested Rapeseed Oils Are Safe

The following oils were tested:

"Bio-Rapeseed Oil" from dm – 1.75 EUR/500 ml
"Moritz Bio Rapeseed Oil" – 5.79 EUR/500 ml
"ja! Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil" from Rewe – 1.39 EUR/500 ml
"Gut & Günstig Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil" from Edeka – 1.39 EUR/500 ml
"Bellasan Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil" from Aldi – 1.39 EUR/500 ml
"Vita d'Or Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Oil" from Lidl – 1.39 EUR/500 ml

The tests showed that all the oils are safe to recommend, and no residues of machine oil or similar substances were found.

Rewe and Moritz Excel in Taste

Only in taste did some differences appear, as top chef Simon Tress noted during a tasting. While the oils from Aldi and Lidl received no special comments and Edeka's rapeseed oil tasted almost “remarkably characterless,” the chef says he is particularly fond of the product from dm. However, the products from Rewe and Moritz stood out the most in terms of taste, with a particularly “earthy” character that conveyed freshness and distinctiveness.