Food test:

Harmful ingredients discovered in fish sticks

German testers found harmful substances in the breading of the popular frozen meal. The Vienna Market Office clarifies how dangerous this really is. And: How many fish fingers can a four-year-old child safely eat?

Children love them - the square fish with crispy breadcrumbs is a classic for many families. But a study by the German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest has set alarm bells ringing for moms and dads. Only two out of nine fish sticks tested can be recommended by the experts. All others contain too many harmful substances.

Eleven classic fish sticks, four baked fish sticks and four vegan alternatives were tested. In particular, the amount of the fat pollutant 3-MCPD in the breadcrumbs stood out negatively.

How great is the danger really?
But does this mean that you should no longer eat fish sticks? "Despite this test, there is no cause for concern. All harmful substances are within limits", says Alexander Hengl, spokesman for the Vienna Market Office. None of the products tested are harmful to health.

All quantities of harmful substances are within the tolerance range defined by the European Food Safety Authority. According to experts, a four-year-old child can eat three fish sticks and is still within the normal range.