Soy steak, vegetable knack… in all, 95 vegetable-based dishes have been evaluated by the consumer association CLCV, and their nutritional qualities are not all good, far from it.
- The vast majority of vegetarian products (80%) contain at least one additive, which classifies them in the category of ultra-processed foods.
- The foods studied contain only 39% of ingredients of plant origin, the rest consisting of water and fat.
They are often associated with healthy foods, and yet. Vegetarian products are not as healthy as they look, according to a new study by the consumer association CLCV.
Ninety-five plant-based dishes (soya, vegetables, legumes, cereals) were screened. First observation: the vast majority of products (80%) contain at least one additive, which classifies them in the category of ultra-processed foods, whose influence on health is extremely harmful. “The category of imitation meat is the worst, with on average nearly 2 additives per product, followed by breaded products and vegetable patties”. specifies CLCV.
Only 39% plant-based ingredients
Second observation: the foods studied contain only 39% of ingredients of plant origin, the rest being made up of water, fats and additives. “We note a significant gap between vegetable patties, which contain the most (53%), and breaded products or meat imitations, which contain much less (34% and 30% respectively). report the experts.
Last observation: the Nutri-score, whose positive influence on consumer health has been demonstrated, is present in only 18% of the vegetarian products studied, with organic foods lagging behind.
“Improving recipes for plant-based products”
“Our study shows that there is a weak correlation between the price and the nutritional quality, the quantity of ingredients of vegetable origin, the quantity of additives and the French origin of soy”, concludes CLCV. Plant-based pancakes are thus less expensive on the market (on average €14/kg), while they have a better nutritional profile, contain fewer additives and more French ingredients of plant origin than breaded products and fake meats (both sold on average at 16€/kg).
Following this investigation, the consumer defense association calls on manufacturers and distributors “to engage in the Nutri-Score approach, and more particularly the specialized organic brands which are lagging behind”, and “to improve recipes for products of plant origin by minimizing the use of additives and flavourings”.
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