test process
We bought 20 orange juices and sent them to the lab, five of which are organic. All products contain 100 percent fruit juice; eight are from orange juice, the others are made from orange juice concentrate. A cold product should be stored because it is pasteurized more gently.
We checked all the drinks in an aroma analysis. According to the Fruit Juice Ordinance, the aroma composition of orange juice from concentrate should correspond to that of an average straight orange juice. In addition, trained sensory experts evaluated the appearance, smell and taste of the drinking water.
Laboratories test drinking water for pesticide residues and vitamin C content.
But we were not only interested in the taste and ingredients, but under what conditions the workers produce the oranges, which are mostly collected from Latin America and in the dairies. To find out, we created a questionnaire for manufacturers with the certification organization Control Union Certifications Germany and asked for advice on the evaluation.
We also looked at the packaging: does it contain environmentally harmful chlorine compounds such as PVC? Is it possible to recover the deposit and what is the percentage of recycled material in plastic bottles?
rating legend
Products with the same overall rating are listed in alphabetical order. Unless otherwise stated, the discharge limits indicated here are not legal limits, but have been determined by ÖKO-TEST. The devaluation limits have been determined by ÖKOTEST taking into account measurement uncertainties arising from specific studies and inherent method differences.
Test results materials: Under the test results, the ingredients of each cause a decrease in two grades: a) a decrease in the quality of taste in non-concentrated water, which is characterized by a significant decrease in the typical spectrum of flavors in non-concentrated water. ; b) a vitamin C content that is below the minimum content of 200 mg/liter recommended in the fruit juice guidelines. The following result leads to a decrease in a grade value: a) a HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural) content above the HMF quality criterion of 10 mg/l specified for orange juice (Code of Practice of the European Fruit Juice Association); b) Excessive addition of vitamin C. If “no” appears in the analysis results with specific names, this means “below the limit of quantification” of the relevant test method.
Sensors test results: Under the test result, the sensitivity causes a decrease in the value of each by a degree: a) lack of smell and taste “like freshly pressed”; b) “brown cast” and/or “slightly musty” odor in the orange juice.
Production of test results and transparency: The result of the productivity and transparency test is based on a maximum of 37 points for the Supply Chain for the test combination, adequate evidence of corporate diligence, adequate evidence of fair and safe working conditions for farm and factory workers, Living Wages and Excessive Prohibition more Hazardous Pesticides. With 37 and 32 points, the test result is “very good” for productivity and clarity; “good” with 31 to 26 points, “satisfactory” with 25 to 20 points; in 19 to 14 points “enough”; “poor” with 13 to 8 points; “unsatisfactory” with less than 8 points. The following points were awarded in detail: Supply chain for the tested group: sufficiently documented (“yes”) = 3 points; partially documented (“partially” ) = 2 Points; little documented (“minor”) = 1 point; no answer (“no”) = 0 points.
Corporate health is proven: sufficiently proven (“yes”) = 11 points; “mostly” occupied = 10 to 6 points; “Partially” occupied = 5 to 1 point. This includes: a) Adequate code of conduct for providers (includes minimum social and ecological criteria): verification = 3 points; partially proven = 2 points; Shown as “yes” in the questionnaire, but not proven = 1 point; no/no answer = 0 points; b) Communicating and monitoring the code of conduct: external monitoring = 3 points; internal audit = 2 points; Supplier signature required = 1 point; no/no answer = 0 points; c) The risk analysis regarding human rights violations along the supply chain is available with sufficient quality (the necessary parts are: identification of the most important social risks, related to the product and the country of origin, identification of risks by adding external data and sources, risk prioritization): proven = 3 Points; partially proven = 2 points; Shown as “yes” in the questionnaire, but not proven = 1 point; no/no answer = 0 points; d) Contract design with the aim of responsible procurement practices such as minimum prices, minimum purchase quantities or similar: proof = 2 points; marked and mentioned as “yes” in the questionnaire, but not proven = 1 point; No or no information = 0 points.
Fair and safe working conditions for agricultural and factory workers: sufficient evidence (“yes”) = 15 points; “mostly” occupied = 14 to 7 points; “Partially” occupied = 6 to 1 point. This includes: a) protected and independent grievance mechanisms for farm workers; b) protected and independent grievance mechanisms for workers in drinking water plants; c) freedom of organization and unions in farms and factories; d) provision of protective equipment; e) Education in the field of occupational health and safety and labor law on agriculture and factories: proof = 3 points; partially proven = 2 points each; Indicated as “yes” in the questionnaire, but not proved = 1 point each; no/no answer = 0 points each.
Living wages: already earned = 4 points; in implementation (“in implementation”) = 2 points; in planning (“in planning”) = 1 point; no steps identified or no information (“no”) = 0 points. Prohibition of very dangerous drugs: “yes” = 4 points (all certified organic products); according to the prohibited list Rainforest Alliance certified (“partial”) = 2 points; according to the positive list “Prote-Citrus” (Citrus Protection Products), intended for the cultivation of citrus fruits in Brazil (“small”) = 1 point; no information or no (“no”) = 0 points. Our classification of highly hazardous pesticides is based on the prohibited list of the Pesticide Action Network Germany (PAN Germany), which was last updated in August 2021.
Test result Other disadvantages: Under the test result, other defects lead to a decrease in the value of four classes: a) non-returnable PET bottle without recycling content in the bottle; b) PET non-recyclable bottle with a promised recycling rate in the bottle, but without proof of the rate for the test bag. The price reduction is caused by two grades: the non-returnable PET bottle with a promising recycling content in the bottle proven for the test batch. Depreciation each with a note: a) PVC/PVDC/chlorine components in the package; b) The statement “natural orange flavor” in the list of ingredients, although the addition of such a flavor to orange juice made from orange juice concentrate is not permitted under the Regulation on fruit juice and soft drinks.
Here general rate Each 50 percent is based on the result of the composition test and the result of the production and transparency test. A sensory test result that is “satisfactory” reduces the overall score by one grade. An Other Impairments test result of “deficient” reduces the overall score by two grades. A test result for other deficiencies that is “adequate” reduces the overall score by one grade. Test results for bone technology and other defects that are “good” do not reduce the overall value. If the test result is “poor” for productivity and clarity, the overall score can be only one grade better.
test methods
Pesticides: The detection of pesticides by LC/MS/MS has been modified according to LFGB L00.00-113: 2015-03 (weighing, purification of shrinkage). Perchlorate, chlorate: LC-MS/MS. Refraction, measured directly: according to L 31.00-16 of ASU and by U-tube according to IFU-1A. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid): HPLC/UV according to IFU-17a. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF): HPLC-UV according to IFU-69. Ethanol/methanol: Headspace GC-FID according to OIV MA-AS312-03. Examination of flavors in accordance with the declaration (straight juice or orange juice from orange juice concentrate) and the addition of foreign flavors: capillary gas chromatography LRI / full scan MS and chirodifferentiation gas chromatography / full MS after distillation, extraction and enrichment according to ASU L 00.00-106 was amended.
Sensor technology: according to ASU § 64 LFGB L 00.90-22. Tests are conducted in secret and are separated by individuals. Repetitive examples. Taste at room temperature. Appearance, smell and taste were described. PVC / PVC / PVDC / chlorinated compounds in packaging: X-ray fluorescence analysis.
Purchase of test products: September 2021.
The tests and their results are protected by copyright. No reproduction, copying, microfilming or recording in electronic media may be made and/or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
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