cannabisbusinessinsights.comNOVEMBER 20248By Younes Jellal, Head of Supply Quality & Product Safety, Impossible FoodsPLANT-BASED MEAT ALTERNATIVES: MANUFACTURING FOOD SAFETY CONSIDERATIONSThe plant-based meat alternatives "PBMAs" market has experienced significant growth and evolution. Traditional options such as tofu and tempeh have existed for thousands of years. The plant-based meat industry in the United States has a history dating back to the 19th century, with several leading companies established in the 1970s­90s. Until recently, this category remained relatively small and was primarily consumed by vegans and vegetarians. However, there has been a notable expansion in the market in the past several years. This is due mostly to the emergence of plant-based products mimicking animal counterparts, such as burgers and nuggets that closely resemble conventional meat. Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger (2016) are notable examples that have gained popularity in mainstream fast-food outlets and then retail (2020).With such rapid growth come new challenges to ensuring the safety of these products. Manufacturing food safety considerations for plant-based meat alternatives are crucial to the production of safe and high-quality products: Ingredient Sourcing and Supply Chain Visibility: Rigorous evaluation and approval of suppliers are essential to guarantee that the raw materials and ingredients sourced for plant-based products meet the required safety standards. These ingredients need strong traceability systems to ensure each ingredient can be traced back to its source to facilitate quick and effective responses in case of safety concerns. It is critical to seek transparency in the supply chain to monitor and control potential risks from raw material sourcing to the final product. Manufacturers must work closely with suppliers to address safety concerns and ensure alignment with food safety practices. Working together with suppliers enables manufacturers to establish a comprehensive approach to risk assessment, considering various factors that could impact the safety of the final product. An example of a unique risk consideration to PBMAs is potentially hidden Animal Derivative Materials. Conducting thorough risk assessments is vital, especially in identifying and addressing potential points of contact and/or introduction of animal derivatives. This includes scrutinizing raw materials, processing methods, and facilities. Another important consideration is assessing and managing risks specific to bio-manufacturing processes. Bio-manufacturing could inadvertently introduce hidden hazards such as gluten from growth media that may be used and microbial concerns that may arise from lengthy fermentation processes under "warm" conditions. Testing Protocols: Implementing testing protocols, such as test and hold procedures, are strongly recommended for PBMAs due to the lack of relevant scientific evidence pertinent to Younes JellalIN MY OPINION
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