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Non-meat applications of alternative proteins

Non-meat applications of alternative proteins

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This is a link post for the Alternative Protein Project by the Cambridge University Alt. Protein Society in collaboration with the Good Food Institute.

Intensive animal agriculture doesn’t just supply the meat industry. A range of products, including seafood, dairy and textiles rely on this too. If we are to achieve the goal of ending factory farming, alternatives need to be produced in these areas.

This session aims to provide some context on the applications of alt. proteins aside from meat. Take the time to explore how the plant-based, fermentation and cultivation technologies covered over the last three weeks have the potential to disrupt other major industries.

Core Material [~2hrs 10mins]:

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Opportunities in Alternative Seafood - GFI [Video, 0:00 to 43:00, 43 mins]
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The quest to make genuinely cheesy animal-free cheese - Wired (2021) [Article, 30 mins]
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How do you produce leather without animals? - Modern Meadow CEO Andras Forgacs on the hy Podcast (2020) [Podcast, 27 mins]

As alternative protein products come to market, one of the key factors in consumer adoption is nomenclature. This has most recently come to the fore in the EU with debates over the marketing of plant-based dairy products:

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EU food legislation impacts innovation in the area of plant-based dairy alternatives - Leialohilani and de Boer (2020) [Paper, 30 mins]
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What is Amendment 171 and how could it affect plant-based foods? - European Alliance for Plant-Based Foods (2020) [Article, 10 mins]
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Amendment 171 off the table: Europe allows for ‘creamy’ and ‘buttery’ plant-based dairy - Southey (2021) [Article, 5 mins]

Further Resources:

Seafood:

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Sustainable Seafood Initiative - GFI [Webpage]
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An Ocean of Opportunity: Plant-based and cultivated seafood for sustainable oceans without sacrifice - GFI report (2021)

Eggs and Dairy:

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Dairy Free Dairy Products - Dr. Julian McClements, University of Massachusetts [Video, 12 mins]

Textiles:

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How do you produce leather without animals? - Modern Meadow CEO Andras Forgacs on the hy Podcast (2020) [Podcast, 27 mins]
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The Next-Gen Materials Podcast - Lauren Blake, Co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Alt. Protein Project
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Material Innovation Initiative website and reports
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Leather grown using biotechnology is about to hit the catwalk - The Economist [Article, only available to subscribers]
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Bolt Threads make alternative leather from fungi and cultivated silk
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Cellular/Acellular Agriculture Patent Landscape for non-food products

Next in the Alternative Proteins Technical Track

Topics

What are the main technical challenges in alternative proteins?
What are the main technical challenges in alternative proteins?
What are the main technical challenges in alternative proteins?