Identification of foreign matter and histological elements in plant-based beverages marketed in Brazil

Abstract

The use of plant-based proteins for the production of plant-based foods is already a reality in the food industry, and an increasing number of successful applications has been reported. However, these products still present bottlenecks linked with the lack of systematic information about functional and health claims, including food safety assessment. Analysis involving food microscopy have been used for a long time to identify product authenticity and potential fraudulent products. Therefore, this study evaluated the presence of foreign matter and histological elements in 30 plant-based beverages sold in Brazil using microscopic techniques. Microscopic foreign matter was found in 23 % of the samples and 60 % of assessed brands, so monitoring by authorities and manufacturers is recommended to determine whether or not a foreign matter limit should be established for this class of food. Foreign matter of larger diameter such as whole insects, textile fibers, metal and plastic particles were not found in the samples, indicating good plant hygiene and sanitation. In the analysis of histological elements, the main ingredients listed on the product labels were found, and no fraud was observed in relation to the addition of inferior raw materials. Identification of histological elements using microscopic techniques proved to be feasible, but required knowledge and experience of analysts. This study demonstrates that plant-based beverages are a safe option for consumers seeking alternative beverages to milk or allergens. Despite not being a simple technique, the histological analysis of food remains an effective method while screening techniques, such as real-time PCR and chemometrics, which are more precise, are more used in food fraud. These results have not been reported before and may support future regulations for plant-based products.