Plant-based meat alternatives: environmental health considerations
Abstract
Interest in plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) has increased since food chains rolled out menu offerings and large food producers launched their plant-based products in supermarkets. Indeed, between 2015 and 2022, retail sales in Canada of meat substitutes grew substantially. Using plant-based protein sources as a substitute for animal protein is not a new concept. Tofu, seitan, and tempeh are a few examples of plant-based proteins that humans have consumed for centuries. Many current plant-based alternatives are manufactured to simulate conventional meat in terms of appearance, mouthfeel, taste, flavour, nutrition, and texture. While these plant-based alternatives do not contain meat, they are considered to have the physical and nutritional characteristics of meat. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates these products as simulated meat under their Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). These regulations specify the labelling and compositional requirements for PBMA to prevent consumers from being misled by their appearance and to inform them of their nutritional value. This article provides information on
- what consumers should know about PBMA,
- food safety controls and preventive measures that processors should implement, and
- food safety considerations for public health inspectors.
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