Meat, Dairy and Plants:
Blends with Benefits
Foodvalley is Europe’s leading organisation on capitalising the long-announced impact and commercial success of Balanced products, formerly known as hybrids or blends. Now more than ever, we have the opportunity to unite meat, dairy, fish, and plant-based stakeholders to re-accelerate the protein transition together.
Balanced Products
Balanced products are meat, dairy or fish preparations enriched with plant based ingredients. Substantially reducing the animal content while benefitting taste, texture, nutritional value, CO2 footprint and price/affordability. A typical balanced product contains at least 10% non-animal ingredients, sourced from a diverse range of inputs including pulses (e.g. pea, faba), potato, sugar beet, vegetables, mycoprotein, mushrooms, ancient grains (e.g. buckwheat, quinoa) and jackfruit.
Since 2020 our experts are successfully applying Foodvalley’s Practical Transition Approach on scaling Balanced Proteins as one the major Protein Transition Trends:
- Supporting producers and ingredient suppliers on optimizing their Balanced strategy and products, using the collective experience, facilities, ingredients and insights of 40 The Protein Community partners, actively involved in Balanced proteins, actively involved in Balanced proteins;
- Providing guidelines for producers and retailers on how to communicate Balanced products, in close collaboration with associations such as the Consumentenbond;
- Offering a State of the Category overview on available ingredients for Balanced products, their nutritional benefits, the latest innovations on sourcing, applying AI as well as future trends;
- Partnering with Balanced Protein authorities around the world, such as Food System Innovations (FSI) in de USA. Creating a global Balanced Protein Community, enabling stakeholders to grow globally.
The Renaissance of Balanced Meat & Dairy
The food industry is witnessing a rapid shift as balanced meat and dairy products move into the mainstream. Driven by the dual needs of environmental sustainability and product affordability, these innovative offerings are bridging the gap for consumers seeking a more sustainable lifestyle without compromising on taste.
Since 2020, Foodvalley has monitored this acceleration, recently conducting a comprehensive analysis of the Dutch retail market. In collaboration with Food System Innovations and DataScouts, we are proud to share our latest findings on the methodology, market trends, and expert projections for the coming years.
Download the full report below to explore the data driving the global movement toward a balanced food system.
Blends with Benefits: join us
in the first global Initiative
Foodvalley’s The Protein Community(Europe) and Food System Innovations(USA) have teamed up to scale Balanced Proteins globally. Being a first of its kind, you are offered the opportunity to join us. Enabling ingredient suppliers, producers, retailers, wholesalers, HoReCa worldwide to blend and harvest the benefits of our complementary knowledge, facilities, products and insights. You gain access to a powerhouse of expertise and a network dedicated to accelerating the global adoption of balanced proteins.
- Innovate with Purpose: Shift from ‘alternative’ to ‘optimal’ nutrition.
- Scale for Impact: Leverage collective knowledge to bridge the gap between concept and market.
- Lead the Transition: Shape the future alongside the industry’s most ambitious players.
Further readings
- Explore The Protein Transition Map to start collaborating with companies. Let’s scale blended protein product solutions together.
- Read more about our “Blends with Benefits” approach in this column, written by our expert Jeroen Willemsen.
Balanced Proteins are more than a trend; they are the blueprint for a resilient and health-conscious food system.
Facilitated by Foodvalley and Food System Innovations, this project is supported by the experts listed below. Reach out to start the conversation.
