Supported by €4.5 million in funding, the mission will concentrate on proteins derived from fungi, micro organism, bugs, and micro- and macroalgae, in addition to agricultural and aquacultural by-products.
It should consider the advantages of different protein sources, in addition to how sustainable and protected they’re for human consumption, in accordance with Irene González Pérez, sensory and shopper researcher at CNTA and EPIC-SHIFT mission.
“Within the EPIC-SHIFT mission, the advantages of different protein sources are assessed utilizing a complete multi-criteria framework. This consists of evaluating their environmental impression, dietary high quality, technological performance, financial feasibility and shopper acceptance,” she informed NutraIngredients.
“With regards to lesser-known protein sources like bacteria and insects, security is a key consideration. For shopper tastings, this security will likely be ensured via prior EFSA approval for human consumption, in addition to microbiological analyses of the developed prototypes.”
The issue with animal-based proteins
The EPIC-SHIFT mission goals to assist the EU Protein Technique – an initiative adopted by the European Parliament – which strives to extend home protein manufacturing throughout the European Union and promote sustainable protein sources.
Presently, in Europe, round 55-60% of protein intake comes from animal-based meals. Animal merchandise are liable for 57% of global food-related emissions, with cows alone accounting for practically 1 / 4 of emissions.
With demand for protein dietary supplements rising quickly, environmental campaigners have begun to query what impression this might have on the atmosphere, notably on condition that dairy-based powders are main the cost.
Whereas many dairy-based protein powders, reminiscent of whey, are made with dairy by-products, analysis suggests plant-based protein powders typically have a smaller carbon footprint as a result of decrease greenhouse gasoline emissions, water use and land use.
Nonetheless, the EPIC-SHIFT mission is trying past the preferred protein options – reminiscent of soy, pea, hemp and rice – and analyzing novel meals derived from various protein sources (NFAP), reminiscent of bugs, micro organism and mushrooms.
What sorts of various protein sources will likely be explored?
González Pérez highlights that whereas NFAPs current a ‘important alternative’, information relating to the environmental, financial, and social impacts of such protein sources continues to be restricted, and manufacturing novel meals on a big scale could be difficult.
For instance, mycoproteins (derived from fungus), upcycled side-stream proteins (from meals by-products) and fermented microbial proteins stand out as notably useful sources, she stated, however the manufacturing course of is advanced.
“These subproducts require additional work, notably as a result of attaining consistency and homogeneity within the uncooked materials isn’t simple, which may have an effect on each processing and closing product high quality,” she stated.
Bacterial proteins and algae additionally current viable choices, she famous, however their transition into the mainstream might require important notion shifts.
“Bacterial single-cell proteins supply glorious sustainability potential however are nonetheless comparatively unfamiliar to shoppers and face regulatory hurdles. Algae are wealthy in vitamins, however current points associated to style, texture, and scalability,” she stated.
EPIC-SHIFT is due to this fact conducting ongoing shopper notion research to higher perceive these boundaries and establish methods to beat them.
Working with regulatory our bodies
The mission leaders additionally plan to seek the advice of regulatory our bodies to streamline novel meals purposes, in accordance with EPIC-SHIFT researcher Caroline Idowu.
“A part of the EPIC-SHIFT mission includes mapping and assessing the present communication and collaboration channels that exist between key stakeholders within the various protein business together with EU policymakers, business associations, novel meals candidates and shoppers,” she stated.
This evaluation goals to spotlight each efficient practices and areas the place communication could possibly be improved, exploring how interactions with regulatory our bodies could possibly be made extra clear and supportive.
Whereas this work is ongoing, protein complement producers and builders can have interaction with the mission by contributing to analysis within the space and becoming a member of the stakeholder community, González Pérez stated.
“Protein complement producers and builders can present samples for useful and sensory testing and contribute to shopper research and market analysis,” she stated. “One other strategy to keep concerned is by becoming a member of the EPIC-SHIFT stakeholder community, which gives common updates and alternatives to supply suggestions all through the mission.”
