A retail prevalence study to investigate microbiological contamination levels in ready-to-eat (RTE) plant-based dairy, meat and fish substitutes

This comprehensive report investigates the microbiological contamination of ready‐to‐eat (RTE) plant‐based dairy, meat and fish substitutes, reflecting the growing market and consumer interest in alternative protein sources. The primary objective was to assess the prevalence and levels of key microbial indicators and pathogens in these products, thereby evaluating their safety and potential public health risks. A systematic sampling strategy was employed, encompassing a diverse range of commercially available RTE plant‐based substitutes.