GFI Europe: UK food strategy backs alt proteins to bridge £14 billion productivity gap

The UK government has acknowledged alternative proteins as a key driver of economic growth in its newly released food strategy framework, marking a significant moment for the country’s sustainable food ambitions.

Published on 15 July, Towards a Good Food Cycle: A UK Government Food Strategy for England outlines a roadmap for making healthy and sustainable food the default for consumers. Launched by Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner, the document places innovation at the center of its vision, highlighting how new technologies and ingredients can help close a £14 billion productivity gap in the British food and drink manufacturing sector.

Among the areas singled out is alternative proteins, where the UK’s strong research and development and advanced manufacturing base is said to position it well for developing new products and markets. The policy paper states that this includes “healthier products and in alternative proteins,” giving public backing to a growing industry that includes plant-based meat, precision fermentation, and other novel food technologies.

The Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe), a nonprofit advocating for sustainable proteins, welcomed the announcement but urged the government to move beyond high-level statements. It is calling for targeted policy interventions to unlock the sector’s full economic and environmental potential.

Specifically, GFI Europe is advocating for a £30 million (US$39 million) innovation fund dedicated to supporting the development of affordable, tasty, and nutritious plant-based foods. It is proposing the fund be managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Precision fermentation – a process that has been used for decades to produce enzymes such as rennet for cheese – is now being used to create a new generation of food ingredients. These include animal-free egg and dairy proteins that can improve plant-based product functionality, as well as sustainable alternatives to palm oil and coffee. GFI Europe sees this as a high-potential technology deserving of greater support through dedicated public funding.

The organization is also urging the government to introduce mandatory reporting on the proportion of protein sales that come from plant-based sources. This follows new obligations for major food companies to report on health metrics under the UK’s 10-Year Health Plan. GFI Europe says similar scrutiny should apply to protein sourcing, particularly as plant-based options offer a range of health benefits. Studies suggest plant-based meat can help reduce LDL cholesterol, lower the risk of bowel cancer, and improve gut health.

According to GFI Europe’s analysis, the UK has made tangible progress since the 2021 National Food Strategy, which first highlighted the importance of building a robust alternative protein ecosystem. Public investment in sustainable food innovation has increased, and policymakers appear more open to viewing novel foods not only as climate solutions but as economic assets.

However, the group says more must be done to embed these ambitions into concrete policy. Linus Pardoe, Senior UK Policy Manager at GFI Europe, called on the government to act decisively.

“Increasing the take-up of options like plant-based meat, which can provide people with a simple switch to reduce our current overconsumption of processed meat, is an excellent way of making the sustainable and healthy choice the default option for consumers,” Pardoe said.

He added that the new food strategy “represents a unique opportunity to capitalise on the expertise that has been developed in the UK over the last decade, and develop ambitious plans to unlock alternative proteins’ potential to deliver food security, drive green growth and create new opportunities for food producers.”

With the food system under pressure from both environmental and economic challenges, the upcoming full strategy is expected to set out more detailed proposals. Industry stakeholders and advocates like GFI Europe will be watching closely to see whether the UK can convert its R&D strengths into a globally competitive sustainable food sector.