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Plant Foods Pack More Additives Than Meat
30 Jun
Summary
- Plant-based foods contain more additives than animal-based counterparts.
- Study compared 71 matched pairs of plant and animal-based supermarket items.
- Focus on whole, naturally plant-based foods is advised over processed alternatives.
A study conducted in London by researchers at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition has highlighted a notable difference in additive content between plant-based and animal-based food products available in UK supermarkets. The research compared 71 matched pairs, encompassing items like milk, brownies, and meat alternatives.
Across these comparisons, plant-based products were found to contain a greater number of food additives and overall ingredients. Specifically, 199 additives were identified in plant-based items versus 100 in animal-based ones, with 39 E-numbers compared to 31.
This discovery raises questions for consumers increasingly interested in whole foods and clean labels. While the additives identified complied with UK safety regulations and did not indicate a health risk, experts suggest prioritizing naturally plant-based whole foods over processed alternatives that mimic animal products.
