Shifting from traditional to alternative diets may increase the exposure to mycotoxins: a risk-benefit assessment for soy-based meat alternatives

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use a risk-benefit assessment (RBA) of replacing meat with plant-based analogues with respect to mycotoxin exposure, as a proof of concept to demonstrate the need for a proper regulatory framework for mycotoxins in meat imitates. Hence, we considered a full replacement of meat consumption with soy-based products, based on the Italian National Food Consumption Survey INRAN-SCAI 2005-06. The overall health impact from soy-based food consumption was quantified in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in three different consumption scenarios. The substitution of meat products with soy-based imitates would lead to an increased risk of liver cancer and loss of healthy life-years due to AFB1 exposure and also potential risk of renal cancer as due to an increased intake of OTA, leading up to 1,208 extra cancer cases associated with the loss of 12,080 healthy life-years/country, largely overweighting the associated benefit. Taking into account the ubiquitous occurrence of mycotoxins, also in the light of climate change, and the growing trend towards plant-based meat analogues, greater importance should be given to actual food consumption trends and correlated with updated natural toxins regulations and risk assessments.