News Food
Hungarian government does not believe in meat substitutes
Hungary's Ministry of Agriculture has very little to no confidence that alternative protein sources can replace 'real' meat and are good for health. That is why it has commissioned the National Food Chain Safety Office to conduct a study into the effects of alternative protein sources such as soy and insects on the human body.
The Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture announced last week that the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) will start an umbrella study into alternative protein sources, such as insects and soy. The research should clarify the effects of vegetable protein sources on the human body and the health of many Hungarian consumers.
'Danger to health'
According to the Hungarian Secretary of Agriculture, many of the plant-based ingredients used in meat substitutes do not contain all the essential amino acids. "This leads to various health problems and the vegetable ingredients in powder form also entail the risk of cross-contamination with allergens, which is a health risk for some of the consumers," writes the state secretary.
The European Food Safety Agency recently declared the yellow mealworm safe for human consumption. The Hungarian State Secretary is clearly not happy about this. "About 70% of the Hungarian population will not eat insects, so I think it's totally unrealistic that this would be a perfect replacement for traditional meat products."
The state secretary adds that the country's ministry of agriculture does not see meat from the laboratory and insect meat as the way to a future-proof Hungarian food production.
Kimberly Baker
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