Reducing meat consumption is encouraged not only for health reasons but also to protect the environment and climate. In recent years, many new, mostly plant-based protein products have entered the market, used similarly to meat. However, the potential food risks of these proteins have been little studied.
The project's goal is to investigate the safety, healthiness, and digestibility of new plant, fungal, and single-cell proteins. Specifically, it aims to:
- Determine the levels of contaminants such as heavy metals, mycotoxins, and key process contaminants in plant-based and fungal proteins available on the market.
- Assess the general hygienic quality of these proteins and the presence and/or levels of common food pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
- Assess the impact of processing on microbiological risks and their management.
- Evaluate the exposure of Finns to microbiological and chemical hazards analyzed in the project.
- Compare changes in exposure using model diets in situations where meat is partially or completely replaced by new protein sources.
- Investigate the digestibility of proteins using digestion models.
- Assess the safe usage limits for risky products.
- Examine the consumption and usage habits of new protein sources among consumers.
The risk assessment conducted in the project provides a scientifically based foundation for decision-making and helps identify potential food risks associated with new protein products. The information produced by the project supports the development of legislation and the planning of supervision.
Schedule
2025–2028
Funding
The Development Fund for Agriculture and Forestry (Makera), Finnish Food Authority, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Valio Ltd
Project Team
Finnish Food Authority
- Petra Pasonen
- Johanna Suomi
- Tero Hirvonen
- Suvi Joutsen
- Janne Järvinen
- Marjo Kolmonen
- Marja Raatikainen
- Maija Summa
- Saija Hallanvuo
- Maria Hautaniemi
- Suvi Nykäsenoja
VTT
- Hanna-Leena Alakomi
- Tiina Hyytiäinen-Pabst
- Natalia Rosa-Sibakov
- Elina Sohlberg
- Irina Tsitko
Additional information
Petra Pasonen, petra.pasonen@ruokavirasto.fi