Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that “it sees the promotion of alternative proteins as one of the country’s national goals” as a solution to food security and a possibility to strengthen Israel’s economy.
“The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to strengthening Israeli leadership in alternative protein research and production for climate, food security, and the well-being of all living beings.”
The PMO, responsible for setting government policy among many other duties, said it is currently working to formulate a government decision to advance alternative proteins to maintain Israel’s leadership.
“The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) considers the promotion of alternative proteins as one of the country’s national goals, on the understanding that it is a solution to food security and that the supply and production of alternative proteins will strengthen the Israeli economy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has prioritized these goals and previously noted that “Israel will be a major power in alternative protein,” the office said in a statement.
Leadership in alternative proteins
The PMO announced that it will also act as a coordinator to promote progress in the field. Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and The Good Food Institute Israel, which plays a key role in promoting the benefits of alternative proteins as a global climate and food solution in the region, will help formulate the plan.
In September 2022, the Israeli government announced “food technology with an emphasis on alternative proteins” as one of five national priorities. In January, the IIA, as part of this national priority plan, announced a request for proposals for construction of fermentation facilities for local production and obtaining regulatory food certification.
Tal Gilboa, Animal Rights Adviser to the Prime Minister, commented: “The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to strengthening Israeli leadership in alternative protein research and production for climate, food security, and the well-being of all living beings.”
The Israeli ecosystem
PMO Director General Yossi Shelley and Tal Gilboa visited two leading Israeli food-tech companies on alternative proteins on Thursday: Remilk, which has raised A $120 million oversubscribed Series B round in January 2022 for animal-fee whey protein (Remilk has already achieved GRAS status in the U.S.), and Tnuva Group, Israel’s largest food conglomerate, which announced plans to set up a new research and development center in 2022 Protein in June.
Nir Goldstein, CEO of GFI Israel, said: “The past year has brought enormous challenges, from global food supply failures to macroeconomic deterioration and geopolitical tensions. Yet our climate threats remain, and it is clear – we cannot reach net zero emissions and build resilient food systems without moving away from industrial animal agriculture. Alternative proteins are the only scalable solution, and the Israeli ecosystem is paving the way.”