Beer Safety: New Challenges and Future Trends within Craft and Large-Scale Production

• Published in: Foods 2022-09, Vol.11 (17), p.2693
• Main Authors: Ciont, Călina, Epuran, Alexandra, Kerezsi, Andreea Diana, Coldea, Teodora Emilia, Mudura, Elena, Pasqualone, Antonella, Zhao, Haifeng, Suharoschi, Ramona, Vriesekoop, Frank, Pop, Oana Lelia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Alcohol; Amines; Bacteria; Barley; Beer; Biogenic amines; Breweries; Brewing industry; Chemical contaminants; Contaminants; contamination; Enzymes; Ethanol; Fermentation; Food science; Forecasts and trends; Grain; Heavy metals; Hops; Industry forecasts; microbiological spoilage; Microorganisms; Mycotoxins; Pasteurization; Raw materials; Review; Risk management; Risk reduction; Safety and security measures; Sanitation; Sensory properties; Yeasts
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods11172693

The presence of physical, chemical, or microbiological contaminants in beer represents a broad and worthy problem with potential implications for human health. The expansion of beer types makes it more and more appreciated for the sensorial properties and health benefits of fermentation and functional ingredients, leading to significant consumed quantities. Contaminant sources are the raw materials, risks that may occur in the production processes (poor sanitation, incorrect pasteurisation), the factory environment (air pollution), or inadequate (ethanol) consumption. We evaluated the presence of these contaminants in different beer types. This review covers publications that discuss the presence of bacteria ( , ), yeasts ( , ), moulds ( , ), mycotoxins, heavy metals, biogenic amines, and micro- and nano-plastic in beer products, ending with a discussion regarding the identified gaps in current risk reduction or elimination strategies.