EIT Food FUTUREPROTEIN

Context

Based on an increasing global demand for protein and that the resulting pressure on traditional animal sources is nowadays considered unsustainable, there is an urgent need of new sustainable protein alternatives with a high nutritional quality, safe and with technological functionalities that satisfy the consumer needs and expectations.

Objective

This project will bring together key stakeholders in Europe (from academia, industry, safety authorities, policy makers and consumers) to debate about the protein challenge from a technological, nutritional, economic, environmental, legislative and social point of view.

By doing so, FutureProtein aims to raise awareness and achieve a consensus with all the actors of the value chain on the main challenges, barriers and constraints that the research on new proteins will have to tackle, but also on a clear identification of opportunities offered in the coming years.

Thus, it is expected that the collaboration of stakeholders from industry, research institutions, consumer and authorities in the planned activities will help to identify the key areas where specific actions are needed and provide the basis for better focused, sustainable, competitive and consumer-oriented R&D strategies, projects and solutions.

Outcomes

A dialog will be established with the consumer for the identification of their beliefs, perceptions and expectancies towards protein consumption and these new alternative sources. It is expected that this activity will also help raising the awareness on important interesting aspects of the new proteins and get the attention of the society on the EITFood research on this field.

The different aspects will be discussed between experts and stakeholders in a thematic workshop that will provide conclusions on what are the needs and opportunities in the protein research and market for the coming years.

Further activities to boost networking and collaboration of all stakeholders on protein research and development will be proposed for the following years.