Nutella Under Fire For Cancer Causing Ingredient

It's no secret that Nutella isn't the healthiest thing to eat, but recent findings suggest that one of the ingredients could pose a “potential health concern".

According to The Safety Authorities scientific opinion, the use of palm oil in the hazelnut spread could be a health hazard. KFOR reports that "animal studies identified the contaminants, which are formed when vegetable oils are heated to high temperatures and then refined, as both genotoxic (damaging to DNA) and carcinogenic (causing cancer)."

Does this mean you need to throw out your half eaten jar of Nutella? The Food and Drug Administration don't think so. In fact, there isn't even a ban on the use of palm oil in foods. The FDA says the ingredient is “generally recognized as safe", but they also only authorize it's use "as a cocoa butter substitute when processed under specific production and heating guidelines."

As with all things, there are always two sides to a story, so the choice to eat, or not eat, Nutella is all up to you. Just be sure to educate yourself and make a decision that you feel is best for you and your family.

For more details on palm oil in Nutella and it's potentially harmful effects, take a look at KFOR's story on their website.