Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins

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A large survey of plant-based foods and beverages sold in the UK has found that mycotoxins, toxic compounds naturally produced by fungi, are widespread across vegetarian and vegan products.

Researchers analyzed 212 plant-based meat alternatives (PMBAs) and plant-based beverages (PBBs) purchased from UK stores. Every product tested contained at least one of 19 mycotoxins, and some contained several.

The study was led by the University of Parma in Italy and coauthored by Cranfield University. Researchers examined a wide range of products commonly available to UK shoppers, including burgers, vegetarian chicken pieces, vegan sausages, and oat, almond and soy-based milks.

Why Mycotoxins Appear in Plant-Based Foods

Mycotoxins can be especially common in plant-based products because many of their ingredients, including grains, legumes and seeds, may be exposed to mould while they are being grown or stored.

Despite the widespread detection of mycotoxins, the levels measured in the UK products remained below recommended EU guideline levels. The researchers said this reflects the high quality standards maintained by the UK food industry.

Long-Term Exposure Could Still Matter

The concern is not necessarily the amount present in a single product. Previous research studies have indicated that repeated exposure to small amounts of mycotoxins can add up over time and may eventually create health concerns.

Eating individual plant-based products is therefore unlikely to cause problems on its own. However, the researchers say that a diet based entirely on plant foods could increase cumulative exposure to mycotoxins if that exposure is not properly managed. In severe cases, mycotoxin exposure has been associated with liver and kidney damage, suppression of the immune system, and cancer.

The findings provide new data that can be used to estimate dietary exposure and improve risk assessments for consumers in the UK.

Experts Call for Better Monitoring

Andrea Patriarca, Senior Lecturer in Mycology at Cranfield University, said:

“Mycotoxins occur naturally in foods and cannot be completely avoided. As consumers, we should not be frightened or deterred from enjoying a variety of products.

“However, a significant concern arises when new foods enter the market, as there are currently no established regulations to monitor mycotoxins. We collaborate closely with various sectors in the food industry, from farmers to food companies, to help implement effective mycotoxin management integrated within food safety standards. The data from our research helps food safety organisations in assessing risks, particularly in complex multi-ingredient products.

“We are currently collaborating with the University of Parma to evaluate the risks faced by the population based on different dietary habits. Our aim is to advise policymakers and raise awareness among vulnerable consumers.”

The full research paper, “Mycotoxin contamination in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives: A survey of the UK market,” is published in Food Control.

This work was carried out under the Horizon Europe FunShield4Med project (HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ACCESS-03) Grant Agreement No 101079173 funded by the European Union.

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NHS bosses warn of chaos in ADHD and autism care

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Costs are spiralling out of control as unregulated private providers capitalise on demand, say managers.

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Hypermobility – the little-known ‘bendy disease’ that causes pain and fatigue

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The disorder may affect hundreds of thousands in the UK, but many face delays in getting a diagnosis.

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Does salmonella come from salmon?

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More people have become ill in an outbreak of salmonella food poising.

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‘Take care of yourself now’

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Grammy award-winning soprano Angel Bluehow discusses how a recent health diagnosis has affected her.

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How Nicole Kidman Feels About Adéla Naming A Song After Her

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Adéla has received Nicole Kidman’s personal seal of approval after revealing she has a new song named after the Oscar winner.

The Ain’t In LA singer is currently gearing up for the release of her debut album Prima next week, the tracklisting for which she unveiled on Tuesday.

During this announcement, it was revealed that, after opening track KGB, the second track on Prima is named simply Nicole Kidman – which has already caught the attention of the woman herself.

On Wednesday night, Nicole attended the London premiere of her film Practical Magic 2, where she was caught on camera being asked by one fan if she knew “who Adéla is”.

After some initial confusion, the Australian star quickly enthused: “Oh yes! She is [releasing a song named Nicole Kidman]! I do know! She’s Slovakian, right?”

“I hope it’s nice,” Nicole then said, to which the fan was heard assuring her: “It will be, everyone loves you.”

Nicole added: “I absolutely know who she is – and she’s coming to Nashville and I’m going to go and see her.”

Slovak pop sensation Adéla first rose to global prominence on the Netflix talent search Dream Academy.

While she didn’t make it into the finished girl group produced on the show (now up and running as Katseye), she has since embarked on a successful solo career.

Her latest single Ain’t In LA has already become her biggest hit to date thanks to its TikTok virality, charting on both sides of the Atlantic, including a top 40 placement here in the UK.

Explaining the meaning behind her new album title, she said in a recent press release: “Prima means ‘first’, which is perfect since this is my debut.”

“Being a prima ballerina means you’re the top dog or the best ballerina in the house,” she continued. “It’s a term of endearment in the ballerina community. I’m trying to be the prima ballerina of pop, and this is my first step to achieve that.”

Meanwhile, Nicole recently had a “prima” pop moment of her own, taking the lead in the new Troye Sivan music video for his single She’s The Best…

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