Semi-skimmed milk is actually 'one-third skimmed', although that doesn't roll off the tongue, finds Keuringsdienst van waarde
The television program Keuringsdienst van waarde revealed that semi-skimmed products are often deceptively marketed, with milk containing significantly more than half its original fat and semi-skimmed butter consisting largely of water and additives. Experts explained that manufacturers remove valuable fat from milk for profit and use misleading labels that do not accurately reflect the product's composition.
The investigative television program Keuringsdienst van waarde has examined the nutritional reality behind products labeled as semi-skimmed. While consumers often purchase these items under the assumption they contain half the fat of full-fat versions, experts revealed that the term is misleading. In the case of milk, the fat content is actually reduced to about one-third of the original, as the removed fat is a valuable commodity sold separately by the dairy industry to create butter.
Furthermore, the investigation discovered that some products like semi-skimmed butter contain significant amounts of water, emulsifiers, and stabilizers rather than just reduced dairy fat. During a blind taste test conducted in the De Pijp neighborhood of Amsterdam, even experienced food professionals struggled to distinguish between full-fat and semi-skimmed varieties. Experts characterized the marketing of these products as deceptive, noting that consumers often pay similar prices for items with higher water content and fewer nutrients than the standard versions they aim to avoid.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
