Tofu sausages, vegan burgers, and the like are becoming increasingly common on our plates. But are veggie alternatives automatically healthier than the animal-based original? We have compiled a list of ingredients in meat substitutes that you should avoid.
Tofu sausages and seitan skewers are in particularly high demand during the barbecue season. But are meat substitutes automatically healthier than meat? We’ve taken a close look at what’s in vegan and vegetarian substitute products and show you the worst ingredients in meat substitutes.
MEAT SUBSTITUTES ARE BOOMING – BUT ARE THEY HEALTHY?
In Germany, we eat less meat than at any time since reunification. In 2022, the figure was 52 kilograms per person, which is around 15 percent and almost nine kilograms less than in 2012. At the same time, more and more people in Germany are turning to meat substitutes. The production of meat-free alternatives more than doubled in 2023 compared to 2019.
But we should not forget: Meat production is still around 80 times higher than that of vegan and vegetarian substitute products. However, as more and more alternatives to meat are coming onto the market, it is worth taking a critical look at the ingredients. We show you which ingredients you should take a close look at.
CONTROVERSIAL ADDITIVES IN VEGAN SUBSTITUTES PRODUCTS
Tofu sausages, seitan schnitzel and pea burger patties are by no means fresh, but highly processed foods. This is why emulsifiers, colorants, flavor enhancers, preservatives and thickeners are also used in their production. Many of these are harmless, but you should take a close look at the following additives:
Thickening agent: E407 carrageenan
The thickening agent carrageenan is obtained from the carbohydrates of red algae. In addition to meat substitutes, manufacturers also use it in cream, pudding and other dairy products.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued an official warning, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a maximum dose of carrageenan of 75 mg/kg body weight in 2018. This daily dose applies until more recent data is available. Research is still relatively new in this area.
Carrageenan is suspected of causing intestinal disorders and allergies. In animal experiments, the substance proved to be harmful to the immune system in large quantities. You should therefore avoid carrageenan in food if possible. Alternatives include locust bean gum, pectin or guar gum.
E425 Konjac
Konjac is obtained from the root of the so-called devil’s tongue and is used in the food industry as a filler, gelling and thickening agent. Devil’s tongue is a plant that grows in Asia.
Our body does not absorb konjac (E-number E425), but the substance hinders the absorption of important nutrients. The thickening agent can become lodged in the throat and has already led to choking in children. Konjac is banned in jelly confectionery in the EU and the risk of choking from so-called jelly cups is high, especially for children and the elderly.
UNDESIRABLE INGREDIENTS. MINERAL OIL IN MEAT SUBSTITUTES?
Unfortunately, consumers cannot tell whether a product contains mineral oil residues. This makes it all the more important that Stiftung Warentest and Öko-Test regularly test foods for this. Mineral oil components can find their way into products through lubricating oils from machines during harvesting, transportation or further processing.
This can be dangerous: Saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) accumulate in human fatty tissue and organs with as yet unknown consequences. Aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH) are sometimes carcinogenic.
When Öko-Test tested vegan cold cuts in 2022, the testers found at least traces of mineral oil in almost all products. Some vegan burger patties also contained mineral oil residues in the 2023 test. This occurs again and again in various products, for example in the butter test and the olive oil test. It is high time that manufacturers made improvements in the production process.
Too much salt in veggie sausages, vegan schnitzel and co. Salt is not dangerous or harmful per se. However, if you consume too much salt, this increases the risk of high blood pressure and, as a result, cardiovascular disease. The WHO recommends that adults consume five grams of salt (about one teaspoon) a day. In the EU, however, we consume around twice as much on average.
