Meat alts face unfair UPF slap despite low artificial ingredients

There are more artificial ingredients in some supermarket sliced white breads than in many of Europe’s most popular plant-based meat alternatives.

This is despite a slew of criticism levelled at the meat alternative industry in recent years, potentially unfairly labelling the market an unhealthy, ultra-processed food (UPF) nightmare.

Exclusive research from FoodNavigator, the leading food and drink manufacturing industry title, dissected the ingredients lists of the most popular meat alternative brands on the market.

The data showed most meat alternative products available in supermarkets and foodservice outlets contained three or fewer artificial ingredients per product.

Most artificial ingredients in the foods were either stabilisers, regulators or thickeners and tended to be methylcellulose, which was present in many of the reviewed products.

Artificial ingredients in sliced white bread

This is compared to upwards of four artificial ingredients contained in many store bought sliced white bread brands.

Some sliced white breads contained four or more artificial ingredients, including calcium propionate (preservative), diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides (emulsifier), mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (emulsifiers) and sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (emulsifier).

“Most consumers would probably be surprised to learn that everyday items like sliced white bread, something they see as basic or traditional, often contain more additives than plant-based meats,” points out THIS innovation director, Luke Byrne.

“It highlights a broader issue, how we perceive ingredients based on context and familiarity,” he adds.

Overall, plant-based meats’ ingredients lists tended to be in the high single digits and above. This mostly ocurred when products had flavourings and seasonings, such as Quorn’s Garlic & Herb Slices.

However, some products with lower numbers of ingredients didn’t always specify which individual herbs and spices were used and instead labelled ‘flavourings’ or ‘natural flavourings’.

“We only use ingredients in Quorn products which have been deemed safe to eat by the appropriate bodies,” says a Quorn spokesperson.

“At Quorn, we only use additives where absolutely necessary to carry out specific functions and we only use additives which have been assessed for safety.”

Developing plant-based meat that closely replicates the taste, texture and experience of animal meat is “no small feat”, points out Byrne.

“Sometimes, that means using certain ingredients, like binders or stabilisers, that may sound unfamiliar,” he says. “These ingredients are used across multiple applications in the food industry and have extensive research proving they are safe to use in food.”

But additives are only used where a specific function is needed to deliver on quality, safety and shelf-life and are used in small amounts, he adds.

“That said, we’re incredibly mindful of what goes into our food,” continues Byrne. “Our goal is always to keep ingredients as clean and recognisable as possible, while still delivering products that people genuinely want to eat and are incredibly healthy – products that can compete with animal meat on every level."

While both Quorn and THIS claim to limit the use of additives in products, the former argues there’s a more pressing issue – the link being made between plant-based and perceived UPF health problems. There’s a lack of randomised, clinical controlled studies demonstrating a causative link between processing and health outcomes, the spokesperson says.

The same argument was made by two leading nutrition scientists, who called on their colleagues to stop using UPF and NOVA terminology in their studies and rhetoric.

“NOVA’s UPF definition is completely detached from any nutritional analysis and it is not the best way to determine the healthiness or ‘goodness’ of a food,” adds the Quorn spokesperson.

“It was not created to define foods as healthy or not. Quorn mycoprotein is a complete protein. It is high in protein and fibre, low in saturated fat, free from trans-fat and contains all nine essential amino acids.”

There’s also a gap in consumer understanding about food ingredients in general, Byrne points out. “As a sector, we’re innovating to shift people towards healthier diets away from environmentally and ethically problematic systems. That deserves recognition, not just criticism,” he says.

Plant-based meat processing levels

While plant-based meats are often made using higher processing levels than some other foods, the sector argues the positives can outweigh the production methods.

“The plant-based industry is held to a higher level of scrutiny (particularly in the press), which, in some ways, is understandable – we’re disrupting an entire category and with that comes fear of the new, but the focus should be on nutrition and sadly that can sometimes get ignored," argues Byrne.

However, the ignorance and fear “causes avoidance of the good associated with plant-based foods” that address core societal issues, especially around health, adds Byrne.

“If we are to enable systemic change we must start embracing the solutions, but of course we can challenge them to be better,” he says.

Many of the products tested were higher in protein and fibre (with meat generally not being high in fibre), as well as having lower levels of saturated fat and sugar.

Several studies have also shown plant-based meat alternatives have a more positive environmental impact than meat production.

Join the plant-based conversation in FoodNavigator’s editorial webinar

In FoodNavigator’s upcoming Positive Nutrition broadcast series, the editorial webinar Plants at the Center of the Plate will tackle these challenges head-on.

Kicking off with an exclusive fireside chat with Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown (11:00–11:10 am CT), the conversation will set the stage for a wider discussion on where the category stands – and where it is headed.

From 11:10 am CT to 12 pm CT, the panel will feature insights from:

• Andrew Arentowicz, CEO, 50/50 Foods – offering a blended meat approach that meets flexitarian demand without sacrificing taste or familiarity
• Barbara Connors, VP of Strategy & Acceleration, 84.51 – providing a data-backed view of changing consumer priorities amid economic pressures
• Tara Kozlowich, Director, Global Segment Marketing, Healthful Solutions Protein Fortification, Ingredion – highlighting how texture and nutritional innovation can help plant-based products better meet evolving consumer expectation

The category is in need of a shift as news of major players facing turbulent financial headwinds, like Meati’s recent $4 million sale (a stark fall from its $650 million valuation) and Beyond Meat’s $100 million rescue funding from Unprocessed Foods, LLC. The panel will explore whether plant-based can weather the storm – and what strategies may drive long-term profitability.

From cost and convenience to taste and texture, today’s plant-based products must check more boxes to earn a place in consumers’ carts. Can the industry redefine itself not just as an alternative, but as an essential?

Join the conversation on May 28 at 11:00 am CT to find out. Registration is free – click here to sign up and submit your questions before the broadcast date. Can’t make it? Sign up for free to watch on demand at your convenience.