Nuts and dried fruits are considered quick, healthy food for the nerves. But according to ÖKO-TEST, many trail mixes contain residues that have no place there. Learn more.
Nuts provide valuable fats and vitamins, and dried fruits provide quick energy. But a current study by ÖKO-TEST shows that not everything is as harmless as it seems. Pesticides, mineral oil and other residues can be found even in well-known supermarket products. Anyone who thinks that nut-fruit mixtures will automatically give them a healthy snack could be mistaken.
Nut mixtures tested at ÖKO-TEST
ÖKO-TEST examined in the Issue 02/2026 29 trail mixes from (organic) supermarkets, discounters and drugstores, including eleven organic products. Most of the tests tested were classic mixtures with raisins, sultanas and/or grapes without exotic fruits. The price, converted to 200 grams, was between 1.69 euros and 4.99 euros.
A specialized laboratory analyzed the products for pesticides, glyphosate and mineral oil components. They were also tested for hydrogen cyanide, ochratoxin A and microbiological contamination. In addition, ÖKO-TEST checked the labeling, for example on fiber, origin of the ingredients, portion size and possible warnings.
Test winner: Trail mix impresses in the test
In the test, 14 trail mixes received ratings of “good” or “very good”. The cheapest recommended nut-fruit mixture is available for 1.69 euros per 200 grams.
This continued with conventional products Alesto Selection trail mix Classic from Lidl as test winner with the grade “very good”. It contains no detectable pesticides, mineral oil residues or other questionable substances. The sugar content of around 31 percent is also still within the acceptable range. The price is 2.29 euros per 200 grams.
Several products were also convincing in the organic segment. One of the “very good” test winners is this K-Bio trail mix from Kauflandwhich costs 2.35 euros per 200 grams.
Three times grade 6: Bad grades for some trail mix
Among the conventional trail mixes, two products were rated “sufficient”, two were rated “poor” and three were rated “unsatisfactory”. In the organic segment, one product failed with an “unsatisfactory” rating. The products tested include well-known brands from supermarkets and discounters.
Particularly disappointing cut Farmer Naturals Trail Mix Classic from Aldi Süd which contains six particularly questionable pesticides and was rated “unsatisfactory”. This also includes a PFAS pesticide, a so-called “forever chemical”. These substances accumulate in the environment and the body, break down very slowly, pollute waterways and habitats and can impair the ability to reproduce.
Dangerous residues in trail mix
The test shows that many mixtures contain surprising residues of chemicals that could pose long-term health problems. It’s worth just taking a look at the list of ingredients – not every product is as harmless as it seems. Residues of mineral oil components have been detected in several trail mixes, including aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH), which are potentially carcinogenic, and saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH), which can accumulate in the body. Pesticides, PFAS pesticides and enterobacteria could also be detected in products.
Sugar levels too high
Trail mix is often considered a healthy snack because nuts provide valuable fats, fiber and vitamins. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) therefore recommends a portion of around 25 grams of nuts per day. Dried fruits can also be part of a balanced diet, but they contain significantly more sugar than fresh fruit because they lack water.
ÖKO-TEST checked the sugar content of trail mixes and awarded deductions for eleven products. A portion of 40 grams was used, which corresponds approximately to the amount of nuts recommended by the DGE. With 40 grams of these eleven products, you would consume at least half of the daily amount of sugar that the World Health Organization (WHO) still classifies as harmless.
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