(Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes) TwitterThe Results of an Investigation of the Claimed Nutritional Values of Tehina Screened on 25th July, 2013: Kolbotek (Consumer Program) - Channel 10 - Israel TV According to Israel food regulations, tehina paste (tehini) has to be one hundred percent sesame. Some salt and water is permitted. Food additives and food colorings are prohibited. The recommended daily calcium requirement is as follows: Child 800mg Adult 1300mg Pregnant woman 1500mg Israel imports most of its sesame seeds from Ethiopia, India, Canada and Singapore - a total of 50,000 tons per year. Two types of tahini paste are available commercially in Israel; Tahina Golmi is tahini that is produced from the sesame seed alone and is rich creamy white in color. Tahina Maleh is tahini that is produced from the sesame seed as well as the outer husk. This is much darker in color. There are many brands of tahini (sesame paste) available in Israel most of them claim to be rich in calcium and iron. But is the food labeling on the product telling us the truth? The calcium content of sesame is as follows: Sesame Seeds Only Sesame Seeds with Husk Husk Only 97mg/100gr 775mg/100g 5,500mg/100g A sample of sesame seeds with and without the outer husk was sent to two Italian laboratories to test the calcium and iron content. A sample of 16 different types of tahini paste were sent. Brand Tahini Golmi Tahini Maleh Barake v v Achva v Hanasich v v Shufersal v v El Arz v v Elwadi v Tehina Zahav v Hamutag - Rami Levi v Har Bracha v Harduf v Amara v Hayona v The Israeli standard allows for a variation of the stated nutritional value of tahini paste, as indicated on the label, of between 80 - 120 percent. These were a sample of the calcium and iron content results: Tehini Golmi Brand Food Label Claim in mg Laboratory 1 in mg Laboratory 2 in mg Barake - calcium Barake - iron 120 6.6 110 4.6 77 Shufersal - calcium Shufersal - iron 120 no claim made 124 123 El Arz - calcium El Arz - iron 120 9 110 9 190 Hanasich - calcium Hanasich - iron 190 6.3 193 6.5 220 Hayona - no claims made on the food label at all 211 357 The calcium levels of tehini maleh should be 775mg /100g Tehini Maleh Brand Food Label Claim in mg Laboratory 1 in mg Laboratory 2 in mg Hanasich - calcium Hanasich - iron 400 10.5 506 6.2 601 Barake - calcium Barake - iron 600 6.5 329 6.0 290 Shufersal - calcium Shufersal - iron 600 no claim made 300 230 El Wadi - calcium El Wadi - iron 849 7.8 225 4.1 110 The conclusion of the Italian laboratories is, on a whole, the nutritional value of the tehini products are lower than indicated on the label. The Israeli food standard for tehini stipulates that no other ingredients which are not a derivative of sesame are to be added. This means starch, whiteners and colorants are forbidden. Now the bad news... Titanium dioxide is a chemical additive used as a whitener in the food, plastics and metal industries. It is carcinogenic (cancer forming). In Germany it has been banned for use as an additive in foodstuffs. In Israel, however, titanium dioxide is permitted an an ingredient in the food industry. Two of the brands were tested in Italy and the following results were found: Brand Titanium Dioxide Content Zahav 32mg Har Bracha 175mg In conclusion, Kolbotek claims the best 3 brands that met all Israeli food standards and showed the best laboratory results are: El Arz Achva Hamutag Related articles of interest The Olive Oil Consumer Report Supermarkets The Shuk - Open Air Market On the Pita, Hummous & Felafel Trail Consumer Forum {fcomment}