The amount of beef-free burgers, tofu-based sausages and other so-called “meat alternatives” on supermarket shelves is booming, but new research from safe food has found that many of these plant-based meat substitutes are not a source of, or high in protein.
The safe food research looked at the nutritional content of 354 vegetarian meat substitute products on sale in supermarkets across Ireland. These products included plant-based alternatives such as mince, burgers and sausages and are positioned in the same category of foods that provide protein such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, nuts and beans. However, safe food found that 25 percent of processed vegetarian meat-substitute products are not a source of, or high in protein. The research also found that among those who purchase these products, one in three (34 percent ) people did so because they perceived them to be ‘healthy/better for you.’
“Judging by the number of meat substitute products now available, it’s clear that Irish people are leaning towards eating more of a plant-based diet. This is ultimately a good thing. However, these are still packaged, processed foods.
“When we asked people about vegetarian meat-substitute products, one in three people thought they were healthy or better for them.
“However, many of these plant-based products are simply highly processed foods – if you think about it, eating a sausage roll whether that’s plant-based or meat, is still a sausage roll,” Dr Catherine Conlon, Director of Human Health and Nutrition at safe food, said.
According to industry reports, vegan is the third fastest growing on-pack claim for food and drink launches globally over the last five years, with sales in the UK of meat-free foods forecasted to be more than €1 billion by 2024.
“Many of these products appear to be healthier because of the marketing around them. We know when something says ‘plant-based’ or ‘low’ in something, we perceive it to be healthier because it’s made from plants.
“Eating a plant-based diet that’s full of wholefoods, like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and lentils is healthier,” she said. My advice would be to look at the information panels on the back of the pack to really understand what’s in them,” Dr Conlon concluded.
The full report “Vegetarian, plant-based meat substitutes; Products available in supermarkets on the island of Ireland and consumer behaviours and perceptions” can be downloaded from the safe food website; www.safefood.net
