Study Shows All Tested UK Fake Meat Products Contain Toxic Fungus
New study finds mycotoxins in every plant-based fake meat product 212 “plant-based meat alternatives” were tested and found without fail to contain toxic fungi ,kinds that are carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic & immune suppressive.
Yes, a 2026 peer-reviewed study in Food Control found mycotoxins in all 212 tested UK plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) and plant-based beverages (PBBs). A mycotoxin is a toxic metabolite produced by fungi that can cause disease and death in humans and animals.
Thankfully, levels were generally below EU guideline limits for related commodities.
The study (“Mycotoxin contamination in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives: A survey of the UK market”), led by researchers from the University of Parma (Italy) with co-authors from Cranfield University (UK), analyzed 92 PBMAs (e.g., burgers, vegetarian chicken pieces, vegan sausages) and 120 PBBs (oat-, almond/nut-, and soy-based drinks).
Samples came from major UK retailers in January–February 2024. Using LC-MS/MS, they screened for 19 mycotoxins, including regulated ones (aflatoxins AFB1/B2/G1/G2, ochratoxin A/OTA, zearalenone/ZEN, fumonisins FB1/FB2, deoxynivalenol/DON, HT-2/T-2) and emerging ones (enniatins ENNA/ENNA1/ENNB/ENNB1, beauvericin/BEA, Alternaria toxins AOH/AME/TEN).
Key findings
- 100% contamination rate: Every product contained at least one mycotoxin; co-occurrence of multiple toxins was common.
- High prevalence of emerging (often unregulated) toxins: In PBMAs, BEA appeared in 98.9%, ENNA and ENNA1 in 93.5% each; Alternaria toxins were also frequent (AME ~86%, AOH ~75%, TEN ~77%). Similar patterns held in beverages (BEA up to 100% in some categories).
- Higher levels in meat alternatives: Concentrations were generally significantly higher in PBMAs than diluted beverages. Legume-based and mixed cereal-legume products showed notable aflatoxin prevalence (up to ~83% in some subgroups). Oat-based drinks had high HT-2 (~95% in some reports); soy drinks had high OTA (~90%).
- Levels below guidelines: Individual concentrations were typically under EU maximum levels for cereals and related foods, consistent with UK food quality standards. Mycotoxins are heat-stable and not reliably destroyed by normal cooking or many processing steps.
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic secondary metabolites produced by molds (e.g., Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria) that can contaminate crops like grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts during growth, harvest, or storage—especially under warm/humid conditions.
They are not unique to “fake meats”; they also occur in plant-derived foods (bread, cereal, nuts, coffee, spices, etc.). Plant-based alternatives often use multiple such ingredients, increasing co-occurrence potential.
Health context
High or chronic exposure to certain mycotoxins is linked to risks including carcinogenicity. The study and related commentary note that low levels consumed frequently—particularly in diets heavily reliant on these products—could contribute to cumulative exposure. Researchers are following up on dietary risk assessments based on consumption patterns.
In short, mycotoxins were detected in every sample but levels stayed below existing EU reference limits, contamination is a known feature of many plant foods (not a unique indictment of meat alternatives). Related earlier studies on plant-based products in other European markets have reported similar widespread contamination.
References
Torrijos, R., Mihalache, O. A., Patriarca, A., Medina, A., & Dall’Asta, C. (2026). Mycotoxin contamination in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives: A survey of the UK market. Food Control, 183, 111910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2025.111910
Cranfield University. (2026, May 5). New research finds that almost all plant-based meat alternatives contain mycotoxins. EurekAlert!. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1126893
Food Engineering & Ingredients. (2026, May 8). Mycotoxins found in all plant-based meat alternatives and beverages tested in UK market survey. https://fei-online.com/mycotoxins-found-in-all-plant-based-meat-alternatives-and-beverages-tested-in-uk-market-survey/
Cranfield University. (2026, August 28). Scientists tested 212 plant-based meat alternatives. Every one contained fungal toxins. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828005216.htm
Cockburn, H. (2026, May 6). Low levels of poisonous toxins found in ‘almost all’ plant-based meat alternatives. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/mycotoxins-vegetarian-plant-based-oat-milk-b2971725.html
Leasca, S. (2026, June 2). A new study found mycotoxins in every plant-based food it tested. Food & Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/mycotoxins-found-in-plant-based-food-study-11983325
About the author: John O’Sullivan is CEO and co-founder (with Dr Tim Ball among 45 scientists) of Principia Scientific International (PSI). He is a seasoned science writer, retired teacher and legal analyst who assisted skeptic climatologist Dr Ball in defeating UN climate expert, Michael ‘hockey stick’ Mann in the multi-million-dollar ‘science trial of the century‘. From 2010 O’Sullivan led the original ‘Slayers’ group of scientists who compiled the book ‘Slaying the Sky Dragon: Death of the Greenhouse Gas Theory’ debunking alarmist lies about carbon dioxide plus their follow-up climate book. His most recent publication, ‘Slaying the Virus and Vaccine Dragon’ broadens PSI’s critiques of mainstream medical group think and junk science.
Tom
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Compliments of billy gates and his throng of murdering ghouls.
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