Plant-based foods contain approximately twice as many additives as their animal-based counterparts, according to a study published in the journal Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. Researchers from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition analyzed 71 matched pairs of plant-based and animal-based food products available in a UK supermarket.
The study found that plant-based products contained a total of 199 additives compared to 100 in animal-based products. In terms of E-numbers, plant-based items had 39 compared to 31 in their conventional alternatives. The total number of ingredients was also higher in plant-based options, with 1,566 ingredients compared to 1,110 in animal-based products.
Common additives found in plant-based foods included carotenes (E160A) for coloring, calcium carbonate (E170) for lightening color and fortification, lactic acid (E270) as an acidity regulator, and methyl cellulose (E461) used to create texture in meat and fish alternatives. For example, methyl cellulose was recorded 15 times in meat and fish alternatives.
"We found roughly twice as many food additives in the total sample of plant-based products compared to animal-based ones – 199 versus 100," stated senior author Joseph Whittaker. He advised individuals following plant-based diets to focus on whole, naturally plant-based foods rather than processed alternatives designed to mimic animal products.
While vegan and vegetarian diets have long been associated with health benefits, including lower risks of heart disease and obesity, concerns have been raised about potential nutrient deficiencies. Excluding all animal products can increase the risk of low levels of Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, calcium, iron, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Many commercial meat and dairy alternatives are also highly processed and can contain significant amounts of salt, sugar, and saturated fat.
The researchers noted that plant-based meat alternatives, by their nature, do not exist in nature and thus require food additives and refined ingredients. The study's authors cautioned that the findings cannot be generalized to all plant-based products, as they did not assess the quantity or concentration of additives or consumption habits. However, they emphasized that all additives used in the analyzed products have passed UK food safety regulations.
Future research is suggested to replicate these findings in different product ranges, brands, and countries to draw more general conclusions about plant-based products.