Project
The dark side of meat analogues
A dominant approach to achieve a protein transition is the production of ‘meat analogues’: plant-based products that simulate conventional meat equivalents (e.g. burgers, sausages). Proponents of a ‘meat analogue approach’ to the protein transition argue that meat analogues offer a straightforward and accessible means of reducing meat consumption. However, critical researchers are beginning to raise questions about the feasibility and desirability of meat analogues in achieving this goal. This project investigates the ‘dark side’ of meat analogues, exploring risks and uncertainties associated with this approach to achieving a protein transition.
Introduction
A dominant approach to achieve a protein transition is the production of ‘meat analogues’: plant-based products that simulate conventional meat equivalents (e.g. burgers, sausages). This rapidly expanding product group is attracting significant attention across industry, science, media and consumers.
Proponents of a ‘meat analogue approach’ to the protein transition argue that meat analogues offer a straightforward and accessible means of reducing meat consumption. However, critical researchers are beginning to raise questions: for example, around the healthiness and safety of these products, whether they help reduce meat consumption, and who ultimately benefits from them.
This project investigates the ‘dark side’ of meat analogues, exploring risks and uncertainties associated with this approach to achieving a protein transition.
Project description
The project has two main objectives.
Our first objective is substantive: we will investigate the ‘dark side’ of meat analogues, exploring risks and uncertainties associated with this approach to the protein transition. Although individual studies have begun to point out potential problems in this respect, we lack a coherent transdisciplinary overview of the area – a ‘big picture’ – that both (i) consolidates and synthesises existing insights and (ii) identifies current gaps in our understanding relating to risk and uncertainty around meat analogues (as an approach to achieving a protein transition). This type of critical appraisal will be crucial if we are to reach a realistic account of the approach’s potential; assess its feasibility and desirability; and identify areas where greater scientific/industrial development is required. We will produce a critical transdisciplinary literature review on this topic, to which all researchers will contribute. This will be written as an ‘Explorer’ piece for TABLE (https://tabledebates.org/). Two discussion sessions, organized in collaboration with WUR Dialogues, will feed in to / feed back from the Explorer piece.
Our second objective is methodological. Building on our literature review, we will ‘zoom in’ on three understudied areas of potential risk and uncertainty: the human intestinal microbiome, chemical contaminants, and societal impacts. Each area will be addressed with a dedicated experimental study, addressing two key aims: (i) to advance substantive knowledge around meat analogues, and (ii) to develop innovative methodological approaches for understanding and accelerating the protein transition. The rationale is to develop methods which can be applied more widely to generate insights into the feasibility and desirability of different approaches to achieving a protein transition. The methods piloted during this project will be developed further in the ongoing work of the researchers (e.g. TKI project on meat analogues, NWA project on sustainable food system transition).