Proteins are much more than meat and legumes.

 

Many consumers have already realised this and there is currently a strong consumer interest in so-called 'alternative proteins', i.e. proteins that are not necessarily animal-derived but come from plants, the sea, microbial sources, etc.

 

The growing attraction of consumers to such products is seen as the perfect pathway to a more sustainable and healthier European diet.  However, alternative proteins are still niche products and more efforts are needed to mainstream this category so that even more people have access to new product types, protein sources, flavours and textures with alternative proteins.

This is why the EU has launched the LIKE-A-PRO project, which brings together key representatives of the entire value chain to promote alternative proteins and make them more available, accessible and acceptable to all population groups. This includes young people, adults, the elderly and vulnerable groups (e.g. low-income groups and ethnic minorities).

This will be done through:

• Development of 16 products with ingredients from 7 sustainable protein sources with improved flavour and texture
• National campaigns for alternative proteins to be developed in co-operation with citizens and societal actors across Europe.

Read more about the project's objectives 

7 new protein sources

In order to increase the knowledge and availability of alternative proteins, there is a general need to improve the quality of the product group as we know it today - whether it is the flavour, texture or protein functionality. Therefore, the project aims to develop completely new products within these 7 selected alternative protein sources:

1. Rapeseed  
2. Mealworm 
3. Krill 
4. Microbial 
5. Mushrooms 
6. Fermented fungal protein
7. Pea protein 

Food & Bio Cluster Denmark participates together with 41 other European partners and will, among other things, lead the communication and dissemination efforts - including developing a nationwide campaign in 2024 - as well as ensuring user involvement and providing input to a qualitative mapping of the area.

 

Britt Sandvad, Senior Innovation Manager, who will lead the cluster's participation in the LIKE-A-PRO project, is pleased that Danish companies will now also have access to new knowledge and new ingredient options:

 

- When we actively work to expand the range of alternatives to traditional protein sources, we also attract new and more consumers. This also means new business opportunities for our Danish companies, which is why it is important that they are involved throughout the process. The LIKE-A-PRO project gives us a unique starting point for this," says Britt, who is available if you want to know more about the project.