Bill Gates range of “plant-based meat” products are contaminated with dangerous levels of carcinogenic fungal toxins, according to the results of a major new study published in Science Daily.
Researchers analyzed 212 plant-based meat products on British supermarket shelves and found mycotoxins—poisonous substances made by fungi—in every single product. While all contained at least 1 of 19 toxins, many contained multiple toxins.
The products included burgers, imitation chicken and sausages, and oat-, almond- and soy-based milks.
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Mycotoxins are often found in plant-based products. They can be present during production—many are hard to destroy, even with heat-treatment—and others can contaminate products during storage.
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Although the levels detected in the products were below EU recommended guidelines, the question is whether long-term consumption could lead to accumulation of the toxins within the body, with serious harmful effects.
Mycotoxins can have endocrine-disrupting effects—interfere with the body’s hormones—caused liver and kidney damage, immune suppression and even, in the case of compounds like aflatoxin, cause cancer.
“Mycotoxins occur naturally in foods and cannot be completely avoided. As consumers, we should not be frightened or deterred from enjoying a variety of products,” said Andrea Patriarca, Senior Lecturer in Mycology at Cranfield University.
“However, a significant concern arises when new foods enter the market, as there are currently no established regulations to monitor mycotoxins.”
