Imperial College London hosts inaugural Future of Food Forum

Imperial College London hosted its inaugural Future of Food Forum on Tuesday 1 August 2023.

The event, which gathered prominent global experts, innovators and stakeholders, served as a platform to encourage dialogue about the advancement of the alternative protein sector and the future of foods within the United Kingdom and internationally. The event was attended by 100 online participants and 45 in-person.

Under the leadership of Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, an academic in the realm of synthetic biology and microbial foods, the forum confirmed Imperial's commitment to spearheading change within the food industry. The day-long symposium commenced with a series of illuminating talks and panel discussions, featuring key figures in from industry, representatives from governmental departments, funding bodies, investors, charities and academics, among others.

The session facilitated insightful conversations on the array of promising opportunities and unique challenges inherent to the alternative protein landscape. Some of these challenges revolved around how to improve consumer acceptance and achieve competitive production costs, without compromising on taste and nutrition.

During the afternoon session, the spotlight turned to a hands-on workshop, where attendees collaborated to envision the future trajectory of alternative proteins. Through brainstorming, participants delved into the potential of establishing the UK as a worldwide hub on alternative protein research.

Dr Ledesma-Amaro said: 'It was really exciting to see participants navigating through the labyrinth of opportunities and challenges intrinsic to the alternative protein domain, engaging in dialogues concerning technological thresholds, consumer barriers, policy ramifications, and the essential infrastructural scaffolding required to fuel exponential growth.'

In an era where sustainable food solutions are increasingly necessary, Imperial’s inaugural Future of Food Forum is an important arena to gather ideas and propose solutions. The forum not only facilitated incisive discussions but also illuminated a path towards a future where alternative proteins take centre stage in revolutionizing the global food landscape.

For further inquiries and information about the Future of Food Forum, please contact Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro.