While most brands used MSC-certified fish, the test found that "certified" did not always equate to "sustainable" in practice. Brands often lacked transparency regarding the exact catch methods and the specific fishing grounds used. Performance of Major Brands
Only two products managed to achieve a "Very Good" ( Sehr Gut ) rating. These were the Frosta Fish Sticks and the Alnatura Fish Sticks (Organic)
Prioritizing brands that scored "Very Good," specifically Frosta and Alnatura . While most brands used MSC-certified fish, the test
Critical Evaluation of the 2022 Öko-Test Results for Frozen Fish Sticks
The investigation focused on several critical pillars: ingredients, pollutants, and the sustainability of the fishing practices used. The most alarming discovery was the presence of harmful substances in nearly half of the products tested. These were the Frosta Fish Sticks and the
Several brands contained elevated levels of 3-MCPD, a contaminant that forms during the industrial processing of fats and oils (used in the breading). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies 3-MCPD as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
Paying attention to the source of the fish (looking for Pacific Pollack from sustainable stocks). Several brands contained elevated levels of 3-MCPD, a
The test results were particularly damaging for market leaders. While generic "store brands" often performed surprisingly well, the "big names" struggled.