Plant milks are not checked for toxic materials – False
Question asked:
“Plant milks are not checked for toxic materials.”
Summary
Plant-based milks are subject to testing for chemical and microbiological contaminants, and European regulations set maximum limits for toxic trace elements, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues in these products. Studies have detected mycotoxins, heavy metals, and other contaminants, indicating that monitoring and safety assessments are performed. Therefore, the claim that plant milks are not checked for toxic materials is inaccurate.
Sources 53 searched
- Soy, Rice and Oat Drinks: Investigating Chemical and Biological Safety in Plant-Based Milk Alternatives - PMC
Our study did not record any positivity on the presence of food pathogens; however, one pasteurized sample of soy beverage registered a TAMBC >100 CFU/g (6700 CFU/g), showing that thermal processes cannot ensure microbiological safety or a post-treatment contamination can be possible. Plant-based beverages are becoming one of the largest dairy milk alternatives on the global market [1].
- Comparative exposure and risk assessment of heavy metals, nutrients, and organochlorine pesticides in cow and plant-based milks - PMC
Additionally, the study sought to detect legacy OCPs through gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD), recognizing that these persistent contaminants may remain detectable in food products regardless of geographical origin. Based on the compositional differences between dairy milk and PBMAs, we hypothesized that PBMAs would exhibit greater variability in mineral nutrient levels due to differences in plant matrices and common fortification practices.
- An Occurrence Study of Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Beverages Using Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry - PMC
The method parameters (correlation ... complied with the European Union Commission Regulation No. 401/2006 [24]. A total of sixteen mycotoxins were detected in the tested beverages, and 61% of all analyzed beverages contained at least one mycotoxin....
- Plant-based milk alternatives: Assessing the occurrence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in soy, oat, rice and almond beverages from Italian market - ScienceDirect
Due to the low-dose toxicity the residual levels of the discussed chemical contaminant in foods are regulated by specific European legislation. Particularly, the Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 establishes maximum levels (MLs) in foods for toxic trace elements (e.g. Pb, Cd, As), mycotoxins, tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine), while Regulation (EC) 396/2005 sets out the levels for pesticide residues (European Commission, 2005, 2023). The plant-based milk alternatives as ready-to-use products are not specifically addressed by these regulations, with the exception of the infant and young-child formulae.
- Milk Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information | FDA
GAMS supports FDA’s Milk Safety Cooperative Program by providing assistance to state and local milk regulatory/rating agencies, the dairy industry and other interested parties in the safe production of milk and milk products through the application of science-based food safety principles on the farm and at all stages through the processing chain.
- "Investigation of toxic chemicals in plant-based milk alternatives" by Chukwunonso A. Anakwue
Several studies have linked consumption of these PBMAs with other negative effects such as: allergy, poor nutrient profile and the presence of other foreign chemicals. This study’s main objective is to investigate the chemical profile of milk samples to detect the presence of toxic chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides.
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