Will the protein transition lead to sustainable food systems?

Abstract

The term protein transition has gained increasing attention but what it concretely means is often unclear. We propose the protein transition to be a transition of the production, division, and consumption of animal derived products, how to reduce them and what could replace them to improve healthfulness, reduce environmental impact, and increase ethical aspects of food production. Proposed solutions including high-tech meat and dairy replacement strategies, plant breeding strategies, animal production strategies, and production systems strategies, are promising but face the risk for un-intended negative consequences. To achieve a sustainable food system utilizing the proposed solutions: animal derived products in high-income countries must be reduced, a whole diet approach is necessary, pathways for implementation must be better explored, and a food systems transformation supported by policy will ultimately be required.