The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel (PMO) has announced that “it views the issue of promoting alternative proteins as one of the country’s national goals” as a solution for food security and its potential to strengthen the Israeli economy.
“The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to solidifying the Israeli leadership in alternative protein research and manufacturing for the climate, food security, and the wellbeing of all living creatures.”
The PMO, responsible for setting government policies among many other duties, said it is currently working to formulate a government decision to advance alternative proteins to maintain Israel’s lead.
“The Prime Minister‘s Office (PMO) views the issue of promoting alternative proteins as one of the country’s national goals, on the understanding that it is a solution for food security and that the supply and production of alternative proteins will strengthen the Israeli economy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ascribes utmost importance to these goals and has previously noted that “Israel will be a major power in alternative protein”,” comments the office in a statement.
Leadership in alternative protein
The PMO also announced that it would also serve as a coordinator to promote advances in the field. The Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and The Good Food Institute Israel, which plays a key role in the region in promoting the advantage of alternative proteins as a solution to global climate and food, will be assisting in formulating the plan.
In September 2022, the Israeli Government declared “food tech, 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 a proposal to construct fermentation facilities for local manufacturing and the obtainment of regulatory food certificates.
Tal Gilboa, Prime Minister’s Animal Rights Advisor, commented: “The Prime Minister’s Office is committed to solidifying the Israeli leadership in alternative protein research and manufacturing for the climate, food security, and the wellbeing of all living creatures.”
The Israeli ecosystem
PMO Director General Yossi Shelley and Tal Gilboa visited two leading Israeli food-tech companies in alternative proteins on Thursday: Remilk, which raised a $120 million oversubscribed Series B round in January 2022 to produce animal-fee whey proteins (Remilk has already secured GRAS status in the US), and Tnuva Group, Israel’s largest food conglomerate, that announced plans to establish a new R&D center dedicated to alt protein in June 2022.
Nir Goldstein, CEO of GFI Israel, said: “The past year brought immense challenges, from failures in the global food supply to macroeconomic declines and geopolitical tensions. Yet the threat to our climate persists, and it is clear – we can’t reach net zero emissions and create resilient food systems without shifting away from industrial animal farming. Alternative proteins are the only scalable solution, and the Israeli ecosystem is paving the way.”
