Food integrity in plant-based meat marketed in Brazil: Identification of physical contaminants and histological elements

Abstract

The increasing availability of plant-based (PB) food products has led to a critical need for safety and authentication, and it is essential to understand and assess the risks associated with the rapid expansion of this market. Therefore, this study used microscopic techniques to evaluate the presence of foreign matter and histological elements in 27 PB food products marketed in Brazil as meat substitutes and derivatives. Microscopic foreign matter was found in 100% of the samples. This finding requires further research to distinguish between unavoidable foreign matter, from the field, and foreign matter that can be avoided by improving good manufacturing practices. The results show the importance of monitoring the occurrence of this type of contamination, evaluating the need to establish specific limits for this food category. The study of histological elements provided confirmation of the presence of the main ingredients declared on the labels of most samples. However, six samples (22%) - two PB Ground Beef and four PB Burger samples - showed structures compatible with soy, an ingredient not included on the respective labels. Considering that soy is a potential allergen, this finding raises concerns as to product labeling and consumer safety. Microscopic analysis proved an effective tool for monitoring the integrity of PB food products. This study is disruptive in the research of this food type in Brazil and underscores the need for further research and regulatory initiatives in order to ensure the safety and reliability of this food category.