Almost eight in 10 packages of penne and spaghetti contain traces of cadmium, according to a French consumer magazine study.
The September issue of 60 Millions de consommateurs tested 18 varieties of penne and 18 of spaghetti from a range of major brands and supermarket own labels. The tests covered classic durum wheat, organic, gluten-free, quick-cooking, high-protein and whole wheat options.
The study found that while 80 percent of the products contained the heavy metal, all samples remained below the European Union regulatory limit of 0.18 milligrams per kilogram for durum wheat. Durum wheat, the primary ingredient in most dry pasta, is one of the cereals most prone to cadmium contamination.
Whole wheat pasta
Cadmium levels varied significantly across the tested products. Barilla whole wheat spaghetti recorded the highest concentration in the study at 0.071 milligrams per kilogram.
The magazine reported that whole wheat pasta generally scored worse because cadmium accumulates in the outer layers of the grain, which are preserved in whole wheat products.
Other spaghetti brands showing higher levels of cadmium included Auchan three minute cooking, De Cecco number 12, Grand'Mère fresh egg, Intermarché's Fiorini and Leclerc's Bio Village.
Among the penne tested, Barilla contained 0.066 milligrams per kilogram, while Lidl's gluten-free Combino brand showed 0.058 milligrams per kilogram. Barilla Protein+, De Cecco number 41 and Panzani three minute penne also received a very insufficient rating from the publication. In total, five penne products received this grade despite staying within legal limits, including the two Barilla products.
Variations within brands
The study highlighted that contamination levels vary widely even within the same brand. While Barilla's whole wheat spaghetti had the highest levels overall, the brand's gluten-free spaghetti was among the products with the lowest cadmium content in the test. Its Protein+ spaghetti also performed well.
Some products showed very low or no traces of the metal. Delverde whole wheat penne contained just 0.009 milligrams per kilogram. Only two penne products tested were completely free of cadmium: Leclerc's Marque Repère and U brand.
