Protein Industries Canada (PIC) announced it is offering $10M CAD to food technology projects that use artificial intelligence to improve plant-based food production. The fund aims to accelerate the commercialization of new foods and ingredients while making Canada’s plant-based sector more efficient and sustainable.
“Finding new ways to use AI technology in food and ingredient development will enable companies to speed up their formulation.”
According to PIC, an industry-led nonprofit organization, AI has the potential to transform how food ingredient processors and manufacturers work, especially by speeding up recipe and ingredient creation. AI also has strong potential to improve Food safety and quality assurance, the organization says.
From now until March 31, 2026, PIC plans to invest $30 million in these AI projects, which it says will benefit the plant-based and agri-food sectors. The amount of investment in each project will depend on its proposed scope and impact.
Current calls for industry-led projects may include the following:
- Developing and testing product formulations in a virtual world, such as testing nutritional composition, allergenicity, taste and texture.
- Employing AI technology through imaging technology and process automation for food safety and/or quality assurance.
- Designing food products that help achieve specific health outcomes or address health concerns.
- Reducing food waste and improving food security in rural and remote northern Canadian communities.
Plant-Based Propagation
In addition to industry investment, PIC is actively fostering partnerships to expand Canada’s plant-based food sector. In June, the group announced A bilateral partnership With Innovate UK to support plant-based food innovation as well as promote links between the food sectors of both countries.
Recently PICO has cooperated with Based in the Netherlands Wageningen University & Research Knowledge exchange and support for sustainable alt protein modification. Since its founding five years ago, PIC has invested nearly $500M CAD in multiple Canadian startups and research projects focused on accelerating plant protein, from innovative wagu steak and oat milk to fish-free sushi.
Increasing the value of AI
As for the latest call for AI-focused food projects, the PIC says expressions of interest will be accepted on a rolling basis and the call will close once the available funds are allocated. Projects can be either solicited or unsolicited, and companies across Canada are encouraged to propose ideas that align with the group’s goals of advancing Canada’s plant-based food ecosystem.
“By leveraging artificial intelligence technology to further up the value chain in ingredient and food development, Canadian companies can drive innovation in the plant-based food, feed and ingredient sectors,” said Bill Gruel, CEO of Protein Industries Canada. “Finding new ways to use AI technology in food and ingredient development will enable companies to speed up their formulation operations, reduce their input and other production costs, and make their operations more sustainable.”
Companies interested in applying are encouraged to visit www.proteinindustriescanada.ca/artificial-intelligence