Alternative proteins and better food futures: moving beyond the binaries

There is a growing interest in ‘alternative proteins’, food products that claim to provide sustainable alternatives to animal-based proteins (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs). These alternative proteins range from more traditional products (e.g., plant-based burgers) to novel products (e.g., cell-cultivated meat, new-fermentation derived proteins). However, the claims surrounding these products are heavily contested. These concerns have led to a polarised climate around alternative proteins and have limited the possibility for a constructive, inclusive dialogue. Advocates for alternative proteins assert that they can facilitate a transition to healthier, more sustainable food systems without requiring a significant shift in dietary habits. Critics of alternative proteins have disputed the evidence for these claims and have raised concerns around power and the implications for human-nature relationships.

In partnership with the United Nations Foundation and Food Standards Agency, TABLE is organising a series of three webinars exploring key themes and debates around novel alternative proteins (e.g., cell-cultivated meat, new-fermentation derived proteins). This series seeks to respond to the challenge of polarisation by bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders to discuss alternative proteins across three themes. The aim is to equip policy-makers, industry leaders, researchers and civil-society stakeholders with a clear, balanced understanding of alternative proteins (APs), the debates they provoke, and pathways toward constructive, inclusive dialogue and policy-making.

​​Each webinar will last 1.5 hours, and will feature a panel that includes expert representatives from different sectors. Short speaker presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion and opportunities for audience Q&A. A short (3 page), accessible, discussion paper will be published and circulated in advance of the webinar series to provide foundational information, context for the webinars and to build interest.
Type: Seminar Series
Series organiser: Jacquelyn Turner (TABLE, University of Oxford)
Web Address: https://www.tabledebates.org/event/alternative-proteins-and-better-food-futures-drivers-investments-trends-regulation

Talks:

Tuesday 24 June 2025

Alternative proteins and better food futures: Drivers, Investments, Trends & Regulation
Date: 24 June 2025, 16:00 - 17:30
Speaker s: Dr Tara Garnett (Director, TABLE), Helen Breewood
Venue Details: Online
Organiser: Jacquelyn Turner (TABLE, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Monday 30 June 2025

Alternative proteins and better food futures: Health Dimensions
Date: 30 June 2025, 16:00 - 17:30
Speaker s: Dr Tara Garnett (Director, TABLE), Rob Percival (Soil Association)
Venue Details: Online
Organiser: Jacquelyn Turner (TABLE, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Monday 14 July 2025

Alternative proteins and better food futures: Environmental Dimensions
Date: 14 July 2025, 16:00 - 17:30
Speaker s: Dr Tara Garnett (Director, TABLE), Dr Hanna Tuomisto (University of Helsinki), Dr Phil Howard (Michigan State University), Joel Scott-Halkes (Wildcard)
Venue Details: Online
Organiser: Jacquelyn Turner (TABLE, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Editor: Jacquelyn Turner